CAPM Vs. PMP: Which Is Best For You [2025]

In recent years, Project Management has emerged as a profitable career option for all competent and ambitious professionals seeking to advance their careers. If you’re interested in project management, you should understand the difference between CAPM and PMP.

However, we frequently see candidates who are unsure about which project management training/certification is best for them. To find the solution to this problem, we have created a blog that will discuss the two most essential certificates, PMI CAPM Vs. PMP and explain the differences between them.

What is CAPM Certification?

This Certification is a beginner-level certification for professionals who are new to the project management industry and do not have much knowledge of handling or managing projects.

PMI is a leading global institute in the area of project management that offers CAPM Certification. Rather than focusing on applied knowledge, the certification emphasizes understanding the principles and concepts. 

What is PMP Certification?

PMI offers numerous project management certifications for its professionals to expand their knowledge and gain popularity in the industry of project management. One of the PMI certification is PMP, which holds greater value in the career of the project manager. Hence, it is made for project managers who are already experienced in handling projects and want to increase their skills and knowledge to advance in their careers. Furthermore, it helps you to stand out and gives you global recognition. 

 What Is The Difference between CAPM and PMP?

Although the PMI offers both the CAPM and PMP certificates, each has clear differences, some of which are as follows:

1. CAPM Vs. PMP: Who Is It Suitable For?

• CAPM: It is for Entry-level project managers.
• PMP: Those with at least three years of project management experience can opt for PMP certification.

2. CAPM Vs. PMP:  Certification Requirements

The criteria to qualify for the CAPM are as follows:

• A secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent)
• 23 hours of project management education completed by the time you sit for the exam.

The criteria to qualify for the PMP are as follows:

• 4 Year College or University Degree (Bachelor’s and Graduate Degrees).
• Minimum 3 Years of experience in leading projects within the past 8 years
• 35 hours of formal project management education.

                                      Or

• High School or Secondary School Degree (Associate’s degree, High School Diploma or equivalent)
• Minimum 5 Years of experience in leading projects within the past 8 years.
• 35 hours of formal project management education.

3. CAPM Vs. PMP: Topics Covered

The PMI CAPM Vs. PMP examinations have different materials and difficulties. The CAPM is a knowledge-based exam that assesses an applicant’s project management theory and methods. Whereas, the PMP certification covers the practical application of project management, including tools and methodologies. Here is the breakdown of the topics:

CAPM Topics:

The topics that are covered under the CAPM Certification are as follows:

• Introduction to Project Management: 6%
• Project Environment: 6%
• Role of the Project Manager: 7%
• Project Integration Management: 9%
• Project Scope Management: 9%
• Project Schedule Management: 9%
• Project Cost Management: 8%
• Project Quality Management: 7%
• Project Resource Management: 8%
• Project Communication Management: 10%
• Project Risk Management: 8%
• Project Procurement Management: 4%
• Project Stakeholder Management: 9%

PMP Topics:

The topics that are covered under the PMP Certification are as follows:

• People: 42% (includes leading a team, assisting team performance, managing conflict, and other related topics.)
• Process: 50% (covers the tactics used to execute a project like handling communication, planning budget and schedules, involving stakeholders, and other related things.)
• Business: 8% (You will need to learn about project compliance planning and management, evaluating project benefits and value, addressing external issues that affect project scope, and enabling organizational change.)

4. CAPM Vs. PMP: Exam Format

In terms of both the certificates examination, here is the CAPM and PMP exam format:

5. CAPM Vs. PMP: Exam Cost

PMI has set a fee for both certifications to administer the exam. The Fee charged is low for both certifications if the individual is a Member of PMI. It will be in an individual’s best interest to be a member of PMI first and then pay the exam fees to get the benefits. Here is a breakdown of their costs.

CAPM cost: 

• For PMI Members it is $225
• For Non-Members, it is $300 

PMP Cost:

• For PMI Members it is $405
• For Non-Members, it is $655

6. CAPM Vs. PMP: Salary

Indeed, PMP credential holders are typically paid higher salaries than those who are CAPM certified, due to several reasons like:

• PMP certification requires substantial project management experience, particularly in leadership positions, demonstrating a higher level of expertise.
• Employers value PMP-certified employees as the fact that they can efficiently handle and manage tough projects and teams.
• Furthermore, being PMP-certified shows the high knowledge, intellect, and commitment to the area, thus increasing the competitiveness in the global market. 

According to the PMI, a PMP-certified expert earns 33% more than non-certified PMP professionals.

However, even with a CAPM certification, you should expect to receive high compensation because it is a well-known certification that opens up prospects for global employment.

According to Forbes, the Average salary for CAPM-certified project managers in the United States is $72000.

In Summary:

In terms of examination, If you compare the popularity of these two certifications, the PMP certification is the most known among project managers. 

According to the PMI, there are more than 1.5 million+ PMP Certification holders worldwide with top countries including China, US, and Canada whereas according to the PMI Fact File December 2023, CAPM has 68,394+ certification holders in the world. 

CAPM Vs. PMP Certification: Which Certification is right for you?

Both certifications have their importance and their eligibility requirements in the field of project management. Both are recognized globally. Which certification is right for you depends totally on your career stage.

If you’re new to project management, you can either get the CAPM at an early stage, followed by a PMP in the future, or you can wait longer to directly get a PMP. For experienced PMs, PMP is the direct call to make! If you are a bit unsure about your experience and eligibility for the PMP certification, you can check out our PMP eligibility calculator. 

However, your decision can also be affected by your enthusiasm for project management, your professional goals, your current position, – and of course the certification costs. Both of these credentials have their own advantages, so in the end, we leave the choice up to you!

Conclusion

We hope this blog clarifies the differences between CAPM and PMP certifications for you, as well as the benefits they can add to your CV. 

When it comes to the right certification, we can only say – it depends! It is each individual’s personal and professional decision to determine which certification is best for their career progress.  So, before deciding which certification to pursue, you can examine your experience, knowledge, and motivation for getting the certification. 

If you are still confused about the certification choice – You can always contact our Prothoughts team to find a better answer for applying for an appropriate certification training program! 

Drop your query at “info@prothoughts.co.in” or Contact + 91-9137309091

Know More About our Courses:

• PMP Certification Training
• CAPM Certification Training 

Explore more about PMP And CAPM:

• Is PMP Certification Worth It?
• CAPM Certification is it for you?
• PMP Certification Requirements