Are Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Certifications Worth It?

What Is a Certified Scrum Master (CSM)?

If you’re interested in the value of Certified Scrum Master certification, read on. Here, we’ll discuss the cost and benefits of CSM certification and whether it’s worth it or not. We’ll also discuss tips on saving on its cost and its affordable alternatives.

What’s a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) in the first place? A CSM is a professional who has completed training and passed a certification exam to:

Coordinate Agile team collaborations from planning to execution and assessment
Support the team members in a servant-leader capacity
Uphold and promote Scrum principles and best practices among team members and stakeholders

The Scrum Alliance, a nonprofit organization, awards the CSM credential.

Scrum is an Agile framework used in coordinating complex product development processes. Its key characteristics include:

Sprints (i.e., time-boxed iterations)
Regular inspection and adaptation (i.e., Sprint Review and Daily Scrum)
Transparency and clear roles among team members

Is CSM certification worth it? Yes, it is, but it isn’t for everyone, either. The CSM credential is ideal for the following professionals.

Agile coaches and consultants seeking formal validation of their expertise
Project managers seeking to improve their team’s performance
Developers and engineers seeking a more in-depth understanding of Scrum processes
Team leaders and managers who want more effective leadership skills for cross-functional teams
Product owners and managers seeking increased collaboration with their development teams

In short, if you’re looking for career advancement, consider becoming a CSM.

How Much Does a CSM Certification Cost?

The Scrum Master certification value depends on what you can get out of it (return) and what you spend on it (cost). You must then consider its cost first. Then, you’ll determine its returns, both in the monetary and non-monetary sense.

The cost of earning the CSM credential depends on many factors, including the following:

Training provider
Geographical location
Delivery format (i.e., in-person or online)

Let’s start with the completion of a 2-day approved training course. Check that a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) conducts it, or your training will be for naught. Search for CSTs on the Scrum Alliance trainer search page or at Scrum.org to be sure.

The typical cost ranges between $500 and $2,000 for a training course. But it can be as high as $2,500, depending on the CST’s reputation and location. The total cost usually includes:

The course and its training itself
Access to the certification exam (i.e., first attempt only; a $25 retake fee isn’t included)
Two-year Scrum Alliance membership

Consider online training courses, as they can be more affordable than in-person courses.

You can choose self-study for the certification exam. But you must still complete an approved training course to qualify for it.

The CSM credential isn’t for life. If you earned it, you must renew it every two years, if you want. You’ll pay a $100 renewal fee if you do. The renewal requirements include the completion of 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs), as well.

Higher-level Scrum roles are possible through optional advanced certifications. You’ll pay $1,000 or more for this purpose.

What Are the Benefits of a CSM Certification?

Is the CSM certification cost worth it? Yes, it is because of the wide range of benefits that it brings.

Increased job eligibility and career advancement

Being a CSM boosts your credentials for leadership roles in Agile teams. You’ll be more competitive for roles like:

Scrum Master
Project manager for Agile-driven projects
Agile coach and consultant
Agile transformation lead
Scrum trainer and consultant
Product manager

The CSM credential is either required or preferred in these jobs. If you’re a product owner, you’ll find the credential works in your favor. You’ll be able to work better with development teams due to your in-depth understanding.

Boost in average salaries.

Being a CSM leads to increased salaries and other benefits. Estimates vary, but the potential salary increase ranges from 10% to 25%. Your work experience, type of organization, and industry influence the actual salary increase.

The average CSM salary is $103,918 per year (Payscale, 2025), but it can be as high as $253,000 per year. The titans of the tech industry, such as Google, Meta, and Apple, pay higher salaries.

Increase in industry demand

The CSM credential is in high demand across diverse industries in the US. The increasing need for effective and efficient processes drives the demand. There is also the widespread adoption of Agile methodologies across various industries. Healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing are among the top industries.

The projected increase in demand for CSMs is expected to be 49.8% over the next few years. LinkedIn reported that the Scrum Master is among the top 10 most promising jobs. Indeed.com reported that it’s among the 10 most in-demand certifications.

But the benefits of a Certified Scrum Master credential don’t stop with the money either. Being a CSM brings in non-monetary benefits, too, such as:

Better career flexibility and mobility. You can use the CSM credential to work in a wide range of industries. Both the public and private sectors look for CSMs.
Stronger leadership and teamwork skills. You’ll agree that these transferable skills have great value in every workplace.
Wider networking opportunities and stronger professional credibility. You don’t have to limit yourself to your local area – be a CSM abroad, too.

Indeed, you’ll find CSM job opportunities in many organizations and industries. Look for ones that value results-effective and cost-efficient operations.

But, of course, these benefits won’t fall into your lap either. You must leverage the CSM credential so that you can enjoy these benefits. Here are steps that you can do to achieve it.

Highlight your CSM credential on your cover letter, résumé, and LinkedIn profile. Add it to your social media accounts, too.
Apply for jobs where the CSM credential is either required or preferred.
Showcase your Scrum experience, knowledge, and skills in appropriate settings.
Join Scrum and Agile communities. Expand your network and share knowledge and experience. Add to the body of knowledge, if possible.
Keep learning by attending advanced Agile workshops and certifications.

Indeed, being a CSM isn’t a destination. It’s a journey where learning, unlearning, and relearning are encouraged. You should also consider getting to the next step. Be an A-CSM, a CSP-SM, or a PSM to advance in your career.

Is a CSM Certification Worth the Price?

From the above discussion, the short answer is, “Yes, it is.” But there’s a caveat, too, because the CSM credential isn’t suitable for every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

You must determine if you’ll enjoy its benefits and, thus, if it’s worth the time and money. If you answer “yes” to all three questions, you’ll likely find it worthwhile.

Do you work or plan to work in Scrum or Agile environments?
Do you have a keen interest in servant leadership, team leadership, and facilitation?
Do you want to gain a more in-depth understanding of Agile principles and practices?

However, if you answered “yes” to most or all of the following questions, consider finding alternatives.

Do you prefer control in the production process instead of collaboration and flexibility?
Are you more interested in traditional project management models?
Do you prefer structured environments? (Scrum emphasizes adaptive frameworks and adaptability)

Let’s say you decided that becoming a CSM is in your best interest. You’ll find that the return on investment (ROI) is as impressive as can be.

If you spent, say, $3,500 on earning it – training cost plus incidentals – and you earned $103,918/year in the first year. Your ROI will be approximately 2,869% in the first year. This is with the assumption that it directly contributed to the increased income.

However, it still pays to be aware of the pros and cons of earning the CSM credential. This way, you’ll have a balanced view.

Pros:

Industry recognition
Entry-level credential for Agile and Scrum roles
Increased job opportunities
Improved team effectiveness
Foundation for advanced certifications

Cons:

High initial cost
Continuing education requirements
Ongoing costs
Limited scope than PMI-ACP and SAFe

You must also consider long-term career growth in your decision. Remember that the CSM certification is an Agile certification for beginners.

As such, it’s only a stepping stone to more advanced roles. You should then consider going above and beyond to leverage it over time. The best way to differentiate yourself is to showcase movement forward and upward.

Affordable Alternatives to CSM Certification

The CSM credential is among the most respected certifications in Agile. But it isn’t the only certification for Agile project management either. You must consider alternatives to Scrum Master certification to expand your horizons, too.

Here are the most popular alternatives, along with their costs and other important details.

Professional Scrum Master (PSM I)

Offered by Scrum.org, its certification exam costs $150. There is no mandatory training required, but it focuses on core Scrum principles. This is ideal for self-learners with a strong foundation in Scrum practices.

AgilePM Foundation

The APMG International-awarded credential costs between $300 and $500. Project managers who want more structure within Agile are ideal candidates for this role.

Certified SAFe® Scrum Master

Scaled Agile offers certification for professionals in enterprise-level Agile teams. The $600-$800 cost already includes training and exam. The certification covers the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI offers its PMI-ACP credential to experienced professionals who lead Agile teams. Members pay $435-$495 plus training costs. The training covers Scrum, Lean, and Kanban, among other Agile approaches.

ICP Agile Certified Professional

The ICAgile-awarded credential costs between $600 and $1,000 for the training. There’s no certification exam. This is ideal for coaches and teams seeking a deeper understanding of Agile fundamentals.

Check out these free learning resources, too.

Scrum Training Series, an interactive e-learning series for Scrum beginners.
Agile Development course offered by edX and UC Berkeley, an introductory Agile course. Free to audit, but a $99 certificate option is available.
Agile Project Management Courses at LinkedIn Learning. Offered free with a Premium trial.

You can learn the basics here and progress to more advanced, for-a-fee courses.

Tips for Paying Less for CSM Training

If you’re wondering, ‘How to get CSM certified without breaking the bank?’, here’s what you can do.

Start with exploring affordable Scrum Master programs. The more affordable a CSM program, the fewer dollars you’ll need to cover.
Then, explore your financial aid options. Scholarships are the best way, but you should also ask about employer funding. Ask your company’s human resources manager about it.
Ask about government-funded grants, too. Check out WIOA at your local American Job Center. Ask about VA education benefits for military personnel and veterans. Explore your state’s upskilling grants – California, Texas, and New York offer them.
Consider association-sponsored scholarships. Women in Agile and Techqueria grants are prime examples. Discounted access may also be available.
Ask about student discounts, too, from your training provider. Mountain Goat Software and KnowledgeHut offer them. Use your .edu email account for student discounts.
Join university-affiliated Agile groups where information on CSM discounts is available. Apply for training through your university’s career center, too.
Explore online course bundles offered by training providers.

Final Thoughts: Should You Get Certified?

Yes, you should consider becoming a Customer Success Manager (CSM). But only do so if it aligns with your interests, goals, and budget. Remember that it isn’t only your time and effort that you’ll pour into it. You’ll also spend thousands of dollars on earning it.

You may want to pursue the CSM credential if you:

Want to become a Scrum master or want to transition into Agile project management
Work in Agile-heavy industries like finance, healthcare, and technology
Have the budget for it, or you have access to financial aid for it

But you should consider other credentials if you: