How CSPO Certifications Affect Your Salary?

By Susan May

Overview of CSPO® Salary The Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO®) certification offered by the Scrum Alliance® is among the most sought after credentials in the world of Scrum. The Product Owner’s role is critical to the success of the Scrum team, and therefore organizations look for professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to add the right value to the product. In today’s scenario, when we are in the middle of a pandemic and employment crisis is looming large, a question that would plague most of us is about the CSPO certification value. Is the CSPO certification salary in India worth the cost you invest in getting trained? In this blog, we attempt to shed light on the average salary that you would earn on gaining the CSPO certification based on various parameters including city, experience and designation. Scrum professionals have an average annual base salary of $100,500. Moreover, 55 percent saw an increase in their annual base salary from 2016 to 2017.—Scrum Alliance Salary Survey CSPO Salary based on CountryThe CSPO credential is well recognised all over the globe. Your salary depends largely on the country you work in.CountryCurrencyAvg. Salary per annumUnited States of AmericaUSD105,521CanadaCAD88,182IndiaINR1,748,929United KingdomGBP52,173AustraliaAUD124,233The CSPO salary in India ranges from INR 2m to INR 5m per year for the designation of a Product Owner. ReferenceCSPO Salary based on experienceAs Scrum practitioners’ years of Scrum related experience increase, so does their average annual base salary-- Scrum Alliance Salary SurveyIn general, the average annual base salary for an individual just beginning their career in Scrum rose in 2017-- Scrum Alliance Salary SurveyThis table shows the rise in salary that can be expected with increasing years of experience. Years of ExperienceAvg. Salary range per annum (in USD)< 166,000 - 75,0001-475,000 - 83,0005-991,000 - 100,00010-1997,000 - 109,00020+ 100,000 - 108,000CSPO Salary based on DesignationScrum practitioners who start as entry level professionals can gain more advanced certifications over the years, and go on to executive director or project management roles. Here’s an indication of the average salary earned by CSPO certified professionals based on their designation.DesignationAvg. Salary range per annum (in USD) Product Owner60,000 - 119,000Operations Manager43,000 - 105,000Project Manager 49,000 – 113,000Software Engineer62,000 – 128,000Executive Director45,000 - 170,000Senior Business Analyst64,000 - 115,000What is the average salary of a CSPO? According to the Scrum Alliance Salary Survey of 2018, a professional’s age, experience and number of certifications all contribute to the salary earned. The average salary of a CSPO is around USD 105,521 per annum. A question most Scrum professionals have is, which is a better credential for a product owner: the CSPO or the PSPO?CSPO vs PSPO certificationThis table shows some of the salient differences between the two certifications. CSPO®PSPOTMCSPO is offered through Scrum Alliance.PSPO is offered through Scrum.org.CSPO candidates are required to take a mandatory 2-day training given by a Certified Scrum Trainer.For PSPO you need not undertake a formal training course in order to attend the exam.At present, there is no exam associated with this credential.Candidates have to pass a rigorous certification exam to attain the credential.To keep the credential in good standing, a CSPO must log in 20 SEUs every two years, and pay a renewal fee of $100.The PSPO credential never has to be renewed and has a lifetime validity.CSM vs CSPO salary The CSM® certification helps you perform the role of a servant leader by gaining the skills needed to be an effective Scrum Master. The average Certified ScrumMaster® salary is $91,588/ year, while experienced professionals with the CSM certification can earn up to 107,000 - 118,000 USD on an average. What are the most common skills that a CSPO should have? Product Owners are the all-important connection between the Scrum team and the stakeholders. They can ensure that the right product is delivered by projecting the vision of the stakeholders aptly to the development team. The CSPO credential is a reflection of expertise in Product Owner skills.But apart from gaining Scrum skills, a product owner should also nurture the following soft skills to become an indispensable resource.Communication skills: Good communication skills are key to a product owner’s success. The Product Owner must have the ability to understand stakeholder vision and communicate it effectively to the development team. Empathy: While being open to stakeholder ideas and suggestions, the Product Owner must also learn to say ‘no’ to unreasonable demands and ideas. The Product Owner must be empathetic towards the development team and understand that the development team cannot develop every idea or feedback the stakeholders have. Ask the right questions: A product owner must have the courage to ask questions to both the stakeholders and the development team. From why a particular addition is needed to how it is going to be added to the product, asking questions and getting clarity will make a product owner more successful. Vision: It is important that the Product Owner understands the vision of the end user. A product owner must also have the foresight to align the vision and business goals of the stakeholder to that of the company. This will ensure smooth progress of the project through the development lifecycle. Which CSPO designation pays the most?As a CSPO, you can have the following designations: Business Analyst Project Manager Product Manager Chief Executive Officer Depending on the size of the company, CEOs can make from $122,107 to $678,008 a year.ReferenceWhat qualifications do employees need to become a CSPO? There are no prerequisites for pursuing the CSPO certification, and any professional, regardless of their level of expertise, can attend the CSPO training course. To become a CSPO, you need to: Undertake 14-16 hour CSPO training from a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST®).   Accept the License Agreement, and complete your Scrum Alliance® profile.  Renew your credential every 2 years with a $100 fee and by logging in 20 Scrum Education Units.ConclusionAccording to Scrum Alliance’s Salary Survey of 2018, CSPO salaries increase by approximately $2,000 for three to five years of Scrum practice, and approximately $12,500 for five to seven years of experience in the role of a PO.Scrum is still a growing field and there are hundreds of organizations across the globe that are looking for Certified Scrum Product Owners who can bring in their expertise and help the organization flourish. This is a great time for you to invest in the CSPO certification and embark on a successful career.Disclaimer: All the statistics mentioned above are accurate as of February 2021.

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How CSPO Certifications Affect Your Salary?

By Susan May 26th Feb, 2021

Susan May

Blog

Category: Blog
5827 842

5827 842 26th Feb, 2021

How CSPO Certifications Affect Your Salary?

Overview of CSPO® Salary

The Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO®) certification offered by the Scrum Alliance® is among the most sought after credentials in the world of Scrum. The Product Owner’s role is critical to the success of the Scrum team, and therefore organizations look for professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to add the right value to the product.

In today’s scenario, when we are in the middle of a pandemic and employment crisis is looming large, a question that would plague most of us is about the CSPO certification value. Is the CSPO certification salary in India worth the cost you invest in getting trained?

In this blog, we attempt to shed light on the average salary that you would earn on gaining the CSPO certification based on various parameters including city, experience and designation.

Scrum professionals have an average annual base salary of $100,500. Moreover, 55 percent saw an increase in their annual base salary from 2016 to 2017.—Scrum Alliance Salary Survey

CSPO Salary based on Country

The CSPO credential is well recognised all over the globe. Your salary depends largely on the country you work in.

Country	Currency	Avg. Salary per annum
United States of America	USD	105,521
Canada	CAD	88,182
India	INR	1,748,929
United Kingdom	GBP	52,173
Australia	AUD	124,233

The CSPO salary in India ranges from INR 2m to INR 5m per year for the designation of a Product Owner.

Reference

CSPO Salary based on experience

As Scrum practitioners’ years of Scrum related experience increase, so does their average annual base salary-- Scrum Alliance Salary Survey

In general, the average annual base salary for an individual just beginning their career in Scrum rose in 2017-- Scrum Alliance Salary Survey

This table shows the rise in salary that can be expected with increasing years of experience.

Years of Experience	Avg. Salary range per annum (in USD)
< 1	66,000 - 75,000
1-4	75,000 - 83,000
5-9	91,000 - 100,000
10-19	97,000 - 109,000
20+	100,000 - 108,000

CSPO Salary based on Designation

Scrum practitioners who start as entry level professionals can gain more advanced certifications over the years, and go on to executive director or project management roles.

Here’s an indication of the average salary earned by CSPO certified professionals based on their designation.

Designation	Avg. Salary range per annum (in USD)
Product Owner	60,000 - 119,000
Operations Manager	43,000 - 105,000
Project Manager	49,000 – 113,000
Software Engineer	62,000 – 128,000
Executive Director	45,000 - 170,000
Senior Business Analyst	64,000 - 115,000

What is the average salary of a CSPO?

According to the Scrum Alliance Salary Survey of 2018, a professional’s age, experience and number of certifications all contribute to the salary earned. The average salary of a CSPO is around USD 105,521 per annum.

A question most Scrum professionals have is, which is a better credential for a product owner: the CSPO or the PSPO?

CSPO vs PSPO certification

This table shows some of the salient differences between the two certifications.

CSPO®	PSPOTM
CSPO is offered through Scrum Alliance.	PSPO is offered through Scrum.org.
CSPO candidates are required to take a mandatory 2-day training given by a Certified Scrum Trainer.	For PSPO you need not undertake a formal training course in order to attend the exam.
At present, there is no exam associated with this credential.	Candidates have to pass a rigorous certification exam to attain the credential.
To keep the credential in good standing, a CSPO must log in 20 SEUs every two years, and pay a renewal fee of $100.	The PSPO credential never has to be renewed and has a lifetime validity.

CSM vs CSPO salary

The CSM® certification helps you perform the role of a servant leader by gaining the skills needed to be an effective Scrum Master. The average Certified ScrumMaster® salary is $91,588/ year, while experienced professionals with the CSM certification can earn up to 107,000 - 118,000 USD on an average.

What are the most common skills that a CSPO should have?

Product Owners are the all-important connection between the Scrum team and the stakeholders. They can ensure that the right product is delivered by projecting the vision of the stakeholders aptly to the development team. The CSPO credential is a reflection of expertise in Product Owner skills.

But apart from gaining Scrum skills, a product owner should also nurture the following soft skills to become an indispensable resource.

Communication skills: Good communication skills are key to a product owner’s success. The Product Owner must have the ability to understand stakeholder vision and communicate it effectively to the development team.
Empathy: While being open to stakeholder ideas and suggestions, the Product Owner must also learn to say ‘no’ to unreasonable demands and ideas. The Product Owner must be empathetic towards the development team and understand that the development team cannot develop every idea or feedback the stakeholders have.
Ask the right questions: A product owner must have the courage to ask questions to both the stakeholders and the development team. From why a particular addition is needed to how it is going to be added to the product, asking questions and getting clarity will make a product owner more successful.
Vision: It is important that the Product Owner understands the vision of the end user. A product owner must also have the foresight to align the vision and business goals of the stakeholder to that of the company. This will ensure smooth progress of the project through the development lifecycle.

Which CSPO designation pays the most?

As a CSPO, you can have the following designations:

Business Analyst
Project Manager
Product Manager
Chief Executive Officer

Depending on the size of the company, CEOs can make from $122,107 to $678,008 a year.

Reference

What qualifications do employees need to become a CSPO?

There are no prerequisites for pursuing the CSPO certification, and any professional, regardless of their level of expertise, can attend the CSPO training course.

To become a CSPO, you need to:

Undertake 14-16 hour CSPO training from a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST®).  
Accept the License Agreement, and complete your Scrum Alliance® profile. 
Renew your credential every 2 years with a $100 fee and by logging in 20 Scrum Education Units.

Conclusion

According to Scrum Alliance’s Salary Survey of 2018, CSPO salaries increase by approximately $2,000 for three to five years of Scrum practice, and approximately $12,500 for five to seven years of experience in the role of a PO.

Scrum is still a growing field and there are hundreds of organizations across the globe that are looking for Certified Scrum Product Owners who can bring in their expertise and help the organization flourish. This is a great time for you to invest in the CSPO certification and embark on a successful career.

Disclaimer: All the statistics mentioned above are accurate as of February 2021.

CSPO

Susan May

Writer, Developer, Explorer

Susan is a gamer, internet scholar and an entrepreneur, specialising in Big Data, Hadoop, Web Development and many other technologies. She is the author of several articles published on Zeolearn and KnowledgeHut blogs. She has gained a lot of experience by working as a freelancer and is now working as a trainer. As a developer, she has spoken at various international tech conferences around the globe about Big Data.