Top-paying Agile Certifications to Consider in 2024

In the dynamic world of project management and software development, Agile methodologies have revolutionized the way teams work. To excel in this landscape, earning the best Agile certification is a strategic move. A Agile Methodology certification will not only enhance your skills but also open doors to lucrative job opportunities.

In this comprehensive guide, I will help you explore the top Agile Certifications 2024, helping you make an informed choice for your career growth. Discover the top 10 Agile certifications for Agile practitioners and the valuable benefits they offer.

Why Agile Certification?

With organizations adopting Agile in their work culture, there is an increase in demand for professionals who are Agile certified and have experience in the field.

According to the 13th Annual State of Agile Report, companies have realized various benefits like 5 whys root cause analysis by adopting Agile, with an increase in improvement in team morale (64% compared to 61% last year), along with an increase in project predictability (52% as compared to 49% last year) and reduction in project risk (50% compared to 47% last year).

The following states a few benefits that you can reap by attaining the Agile certification:

• Better Salary
• Better Credibility
• Better Visibility
• Higher team involvement
• Stay updated on the current market trends
• Increase in Productivity
• High-quality product
• Higher customer satisfaction
• Benefits the organization as well
• Learn techniques for planning as well as estimating the cost of a project in an Agile way

Top Agile Certifications

According to 13th Annual State of Agile Report, when asked about the reasons for adopting Agile, the following response was received:

It was less about an increase in productivity (51% compared to 55% last year), more about increasing the team’s morale (34% compared to last year’s 28%), less about reducing project risks (28% compared to 37% last year) and more about reducing the project costs (41% compared to 24% last year).

A lot of options are available in the market that you can look through and choose from. It is important for you to understand the difference between the available certifications and their importance. The top 8 Agile certifications, along with advanced level certifications that you can look out for, are listed below:

1. ICP-ACC (ICAgile- Agile Certified Coach) Training

The primary focus of ICP-ACC training is the mindset, roles, and responsibilities of being an Agile coach. After completing the training, you can differentiate between and among mentoring, professional coaching, facilitating, and teaching. 

You will also get the opportunity to learn the skills needed to create a safe environment within an agile team. An Agile coach acts as a mentor for an Agile team who is responsible for facilitating agile thinking and practices and ensuring that the team reaches the target through better team practices.

Accreditation Body: ICAgile

Prerequisites

It is advisable for you to have a basic idea of Agile Methodology as well as a small working experience as an Agile practitioner. After successfully completing the training, the candidate will receive the designation of ICAgile Certified Coach (ICP-ACC) from an internationally recognized accreditation body, ICAgile.

Who Can Take Up This Training?

The ICP-ACC training that takes place over the course of three days is designed and recommended for the following:

• Currently working or aspiring to be agile coaches
• Product Owners
• Scrum Masters
• Enterprise Agile coaches
• Professionals who play a leadership role in Agile projects
• Iteration Managers
• Project Managers and Team Leaders

Job Opportunities After ICP-ACC Training

After completing the training, you can act as an Agile Coach in different organizations.

Cost: $1795
Average Salary: The average salary of a professional who is ICP-ACC certified is $119,883 per year.

Certification/Training	ICP-ACC (ICAgile- Agile Certified Coach) Training
Accreditation Body	ICAgile
Prerequisites	A basic idea of Agile Methodology Small working experience as an Agile practitioner
Career Path	Agile Coach
Average Salary	$119,883
Cost of Certification/Training	$1795

2. Leading SAFe® 5.1 Training Course

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a methodology adapted by large-scaled Agile project teams so that Agile transformation can be carried out seamlessly. The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) synchronizes the collaboration, alignment, and delivery of multiple agile teams, which leads to the success of the enterprise. The Leading SAFe® 5.1 training course is based on version 5.1 of SAFe.

According to the 13th Annual State of Agile Report, the Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®) continues to grow in adoption as the scaling method of choice and was identified as the scaling method of choice by 30% of respondents.

Accreditation Body: Scaled Agile

Prerequisites 

Completing the Leading SAFe training will prepare you to take SAFe Agilist (SA) certification exam. However, the recommended prerequisites are stated as follows:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in software development, testing, product or project management, or business analyst
• Experience in Scrum

Who Can Take Up This Training?

Individuals can take up the training:

• Managers, Directors, CIOs, Executives and Leaders, VPs
• Project and Program Management
• Development, QA, and Infrastructure Management
• Product and Product Line Management
• Enterprise, System, and Solution Architects

Job Opportunities After Leading SAFe® 5.1 Training 

Cost: The first attempt for the examination is included as part of the course registration fee, provided the exam is taken within 30 days after the day of completion of the course. If you don't pass the examination, each retake attempt will cost $50.

Average Salary: 

Certification	Leading SAFe® 5.1 Training Course
Accreditation Body	Scaled Agile
Prerequisites	A minimum of 5 years experience in software development, testing, product or project management or business analyst Experience in Scrum
Exam Information	Answer a set of 45 questions within a duration of 90 minutes; out of which 34 should be answered correctly.
Career Path	Agile Coach SAFe Release Train Engineer SAFe Program Consultant
Cost of Certification	The first attempt of the exam is included in the course registration fee, provided the exam is taken within 30 days after completing the course. After that, each retake costs $50.
Renewal Cost	$100; Every one year from the date of certification earned.

3. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (Exam: PMI-ACP)®

The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® helps you recognize your knowledge of Agile principles and techniques, helping you work better with employees, stakeholders, and peers.

Accreditation Body: Project Management Institute (PMI).

Prerequisites

The following are the prerequisites needed:

• 2,000 hours of project experience that is, working on teams.
• In addition to the above-stated hours, either 1,500 hours of working on agile project teams or working with agile methodologies.
• 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.

Who Can Take Up This Certification?

If your organization is adopting Agile practices or working in an agile team, this course will help you grow. Along with the experience and training, this course validates your real-world, hands-on experience and skills.

Job Opportunities After PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)

Candidates, after completing their course, will be eligible for the following job opportunities:

• PMP Scrum Master
• Agile Trainer
• Technical Business Analyst
• Project Manager
• Deputy Project Manager
• Business Analyst
• Agile Project Manager
• Digital Channel Planner

Cost: For PMI Members: US$435.00
For non-PMI members: US$495.00
Average Salary: The average salary of a PMI-ACP® is approximately $123,000 per year.

Certification	PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (Exam: PMI-ACP)®
Accreditation Body	Project Management Institute (PMI)
Prerequisites	2,000 hours of project experience that is, working on teams. In addition to the above stated hours, either 1,500 hours of working on agile project teams or working with agile methodologies. 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.
Exam Information	Answer a set of 120 questions within a duration of three hours.
Career Path	PMP Scrum Master Agile Trainer Technical Business Analyst Project Manager Deputy Project Manager Business Analyst Agile Project Manager Digital Channel planner
Average Salary	$123,000
Cost of Certification	For PMI Members: US$435.00 For non-PMI members: US$495.00
Renewal Cost	Earn 30 PDUs (professional development units) in agile topics every three years.

4. Certified Scrum Master (CSM®)

The Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the processes while at the same time working with the product owner along with the development team and ensure that the Scrum values and practices are being followed. Scrum Master certification is the highest in-demand Scrum Master certification, where you can about the Scrum framework as well as get a better understanding and functioning of the Scrum team events, roles and artifacts.

Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance

Prerequisites 

The CSM course is commonly taken up by professionals who are working in IT and non-IT sectors and wish to deepen their understanding of Scrum. Hence, it is recommended that you be familiar with the basics of Scrum, as it will help you understand the overall framework of Scrum in less time.

Who Can Take Up This Certification?

The following professionals can take up this certification:

• Professionals who wish to become a Scrum Master
• Managers of Scrum Teams
• Product Owners and Developers
• Teams who are transitioning to Scrum

If the candidate is working as a Scrum Master already, then completion of this course will help them nourish their Scrum skills and knowledge.

Certification Procedure

You will have to first attend a two-day training, after which you must attend an online test. The two-day training is regulated by a Certified Scrum Trainer and authorized by the Scrum Alliance.

Certification must be renewed every two years from the day of certification by paying a $100 fee without additional training or examination.

Job Opportunities After Scrum Master Certification

After completing Scrum master certification course, you can join organizations as a Scrum Master. Apart from this, as a Scrum Master, you can opt to become mentors, product owners, coaches, or managers, or continue with being a Scrum Master working in more challenging situations.

Cost of Certification: Scrum master certification ranges between $700 to $1500 depending on factors like location and trainer.

Average Salary: The average salary for a certified Scrum master falls in the range of $100,00 to $130,000.

Certification	Scrum Master Certification (CSM®)
Accreditation Body	Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites	Basics of Scrum to understand the overall framework in a short duration of time.
Exam Information	Answer a set of 50 within an hour, out of which 37 should be answered correctly.
Career Path	Scrum Master Mentor Coach Manager Product Owner.
Average Salary	$100,00 to $130,000
Training Cost	$1000
Cost of Certification	$700 to $1500.
Renewal Cost	$100; the certification needs to be renewed every two years without any extra training or examination.

5. Advanced CSM (ACSM)

If you are a certified Scrum Master who has a minimum of one year of working experience as a Scrum Master, then you can apply for this course. This course will help you get a deeper insight into Scrum and its practical use and learn different ways to coach product owners and team members.

Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance

Prerequisites

To become an advanced CSM, you need to have a minimum work experience of twelve months. Moreover, you should have a basic understanding of Scrum and its usage and implementation.

Who Can Take Up This Certification?

This certification can be taken up by:

• Individuals who wish to work as a Scrum Master and have completed the CSM course
• Teams transitioning to Scrum
• Scrum Team Managers
• Team members like developers and product owners
• Anyone who wishes to get distinguished in the global market

Certification Process

You will have first to attend a training certified by ACSM where you learn techniques and skills beyond the basics of Scrum, such as interaction, coaching, facilitation, and team dynamics. It is necessary for you to have a working experience of 12 months as a Scrum Master in the previous five years.

The certification has to be renewed every two years from the certification date by paying a fee of $175 without additional training or examination.

Job Opportunities After Advanced Scrum Master Certification

Become a more professional practitioner as a Scrum Master and work as a Coach, Mentor, or Product Owner after completing ACSM course.

Cost of Certification: ACSM certification varies roughly between $1295 to $1495.

Average Salary: The average salary of an A-CSM professional varies between $100,00 to $130,000.

Certification	Advanced Scrum Master Certification
Accreditation Body	Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites	Basics of Scrum to understand the framework perfectly in a shorter duration of time. Twelve months of working experience as a Scrum Master in the last five years.
Career Path	Scrum Master Mentor Coach Manager Product Owner
Average Salary	$100,00 to $130,000
Cost of Certification	$1295 to $1495
Renewal Cost	$175; the certification needs to be renewed every two years with no extra training or examination.

6. Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM)

This course focuses on scaling Scrum to big organizations while focusing on lean concepts, coaching, system thinking, emotional intelligence, facilitation, and a deeper understanding of Scrum framework.

Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance

Prerequisites

• 24 months of work experience as a Scrum Master in the last five years
• An active A-CSM certification
• Attend a CSP-SM workshop conducted by the Scrum Alliance approved ‘Path to CSP Educator’.

Who Can Take Up This Certification?

The following individuals can take up this certification:

• Managers of Scrum teams
• Teams transitioning to Scrum
• Scrum team members, such as developers

Job Opportunities After Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM) Certification

Become a professional practitioner of Scrum Master for big organizations and learn to discover the underlying potential of different teams. Work as a Scrum Master, mentor, coach or Product Owner while at the same time getting various opportunities to attend exclusive CSP events along with other leaders from across the globe in Scrum and Agile.

Cost of Certification: CSP-SM certification roughly costs around $1295.

Average Salary: The average salary of a Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM) is calculated to be roughly $115,000 across the United States.

Certification	Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM)
Accreditation Body	Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites	Basics of Scrum to understand the overall framework in less time. An active A-CSM certification 24 months of working experience as a Scrum Master in the previous five years.
Career Path	Scrum Master Mentor Coach Manager Product Owner
Average Salary	$115,000
Cost of Certification	$1295
Renewal Cost	$250

7. Certified Scrum Product Owner Training®(CSPO)

With CSPO certification, become a Product Owner, enhance your skills to lead Agile teams, and motivate your team members. Learn ways to facilitate smooth and proper communication between the team and stakeholders to increase the scrum functionality.

The Certified Scrum Product Owner training is conducted by the Scrum Alliance Certified Trainers (CSTs), who bring together classroom study, group discussions and hands-on practice sessions. The training is spread over a span of two days.

Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance

Prerequisites

It is advised that you have a basic knowledge of Agile. To appear for certification, it is important for you to present a 2-day CSPO course certificate, which is obtained after completing the course successfully.

Who Can Take Up This Certification?

Obtaining the Certified Scrum Product Owner certification can be marked as useful for:

• Scrum team members like Developers and Product Owners
• Teams that are transitioning to Scrum
• Scrum Team Managers
• Professionals who wish to pursue Professional Scrum Master™ certification

Job Opportunities After CSPO Certification: Completion of this course will help you grab positions as:

• Product Manager
• General Product  Manager
• Senior Product Manager
• Program Manager

Cost of Certification: The course certification starts at a price of $1295.

Average Salary: The average salary for a CSPO-certified professional is $101,459 per year.

Certification	Certified Scrum Product Owner Training®(CSPO)
Accreditation Body	Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites	Basics of Scrum to understand the overall framework in a short duration of time.
Career Path	Product Manager General Product  Manager Senior Product Manager Program Manager
Average Salary	$101,459
Cost of Certification	The course certification starts at a price of $1295.
Renewal Cost	The CSPO certification can be maintained by earning SEUs (Scrum Education Units®) every two years.

8. Certified Scrum Developer® Training 

This course will help you strengthen your skills in Agile software development. With certified Scrum developers certification, you can learn specialized Agile engineering skills and properly understand Scrum and Agile principles. The main goal of this training is to expose you to the important tools and techniques needed to build software in an incremental and iterative manner that Scrum requires.

Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance

Prerequisites

To earn a CSD, it is necessary that you take up at least five days of formal training, which is taught by a Scrum Alliance-approved CSD instructor and Scrum Alliance Registered Education Provider (REP®).

If you are already CSM certified, you need not take the first two days of training and can start directly from the technical training session on the third day.

Who Can Take Up this Certification?

The course of Certified Scrum Developer®  is designed to be most beneficial for software developers (programmers) who are working on building software in a Scrum environment.

Job Opportunities After Certified Scrum Developers

After attaining the Certified Scrum Developers certification, you can apply for the following job positions:

• Salesforce Developer
• Associate Salesforce Developer
• Senior Developer
• Scrum Master
• Scaled Agile Scrum and Transformation Manager
• Agile Scrum Lead
• Agile Project Manager

Cost: The cost of certification is included in the course tuition.

Certification Process

After completing your five-day training session, you will be required to demonstrate your understanding of Agile engineering practices, for which you will have to pass a CSD assessment that the trainer will provide. The trainer will be responsible for uploading and paying the certification fee for the candidates as they take the CSD-track courses.

If you are a member of the Scrum Alliance and a CSM, they can take a 3-day CSD Technical Course. After which, you will receive a notification to accept your CSD license. The CSD certification will be added to your profile, valid for two years.  

The CSD certification needs to be renewed every two years. For renewal, 20 SEUs (Scrum Educational Credits) should be earned every two years, and a renewal fee of $100.

Average Salary: The average salary of a CSD professional is $71,750 per year.

Certification	Certified Scrum Developer® Training
Accreditation Body	Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites	Five days of formal training, which is taught by a Scrum Alliance-approved CSD instructor and Scrum Alliance Registered Education Provider (REP®). CSM certification holders can skip the first 2 days of training and directly take the technical training from the 3rd day.
Career Path	Salesforce Developer Associate Salesforce Developer Senior Developer Scrum Master Scaled Agile Scrum and Transformation Manager Agile Scrum Lead Agile Project Manager
Average Salary	$71,750
Cost of Certification	The cost of certification is included in the course tuition
Renewal Cost	20 SEUs (Scrum Educational Credits) should be earned every two years along with a renewal fee of $100.

9. Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM) PSM™ I

Professional Scrum Master™ training is a two-day training course entailing the basics of Scrum and topics like Scrum frameworks roles of a Scrum Master. The course integrates team-based exercises with instructions, focusing on team dynamics, team motivation, conflict resolution and improved planning and estimation.

Accreditation Body: Scrum.org

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites needed for attending this course or undertaking the examination. The Professional Scrum Master™ training can be attended by any individual interested in attending the training and giving the examination. After course completion, you will receive a password for PSM I assessment which is conducted by Scrum.org. Subsequently, you can opt to proceed and undertake the PSM II and PSM III assessments.

Who Can Take Up This Certification?

Taking up the Professional Scrum Master™ training course will benefit the following individuals:

• Scrum team members such as Product Owners and developers
• Professionals who wish to pursue Professional Scrum Master™ certification
• Teams that are transitioning to Scrum
• Scrum team managers

Job Opportunities After Professional Scrum Master™ Certification

After being a certified Professional Scrum Master, candidates can apply for the following fields:

• Scrum Master
• Associate Scrum Master
• Product Owner
• Coach
• Mentor

Cost: Starts from  $150.

Average Salary: The average salary for a certified Professional Scrum Master is $100,500.

Certification	Professional Scrum Master Training (PSM)
Accreditation Body	Scrum.org
Prerequisites	Basics of Scrum to understand the overall framework perfectly in less time.
Exam Information	Answer a set of 80 questions within an hour. Type of questions asked is multiple choice, multiple answer,s and true/false. Passing score: 80 percent.

Delve into the most popular Agile Category Courses

CSM Certification	CSPO Certification	Leading SAFe Certification
PSM Certification	SAFe Scrum Master Certification	SAFe SPC Certification
SAFe RTE Certification	SAFe POPM Certification	ICP-ACC Certification

Benefits of Agile Certifications

Earning a best Agile certification offers significant advantages. It enhances your skills with structured learning, deepening your knowledge of Agile principles. Certifications unlock career opportunities in roles like Agile Coach, Scrum Master, and Agile Project Manager, often accompanied by increased responsibilities and salaries. Certified Agile professionals typically command higher earnings due to their expertise and commitment to Agile practices. These credentials also boost your credibility among peers and employers, demonstrating your dedication to excellence. Many Agile certifications are globally recognized, broadening job prospects and enabling collaboration with international teams. Certification programs often provide access to a supportive community of Agile practitioners, facilitating networking and knowledge sharing for ongoing professional growth.

Conclusion

In the rapidly evolving world of Agile methodologies, I believe obtaining the best Agile certification 2024 is a strategic move to secure your career's future. The top-paying Agile certifications outlined in this guide offer not only validation of your expertise but also access to exciting job prospects and increased earning potential.

Whether you are a newcomer or an experienced practitioner like me, top paying Agile certifications can propel your career to new heights. Initiate your Knowledgehut Agile Methodology certification journey today to reap the rewards of enhanced skills, career progression, and financial success.