Scrum is a popular Agile project management framework. Scrum is a framework for facilitating collaborative efforts that result in superior results. An integral part of any Scrum team is the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master is responsible for helping the team learn and use Scrum in order to complete the project. This article explains the salary of a certified and entry-level scrum master. We also added the salary a scrum master is been paid in Maryland and Atlanta. Let’s dive in!
What Is Scrum Master?
A Scrum Master is a leader in an Agile development group. They are responsible for ensuring that everyone on the team has access to relevant information. Scrum is an Agile-friendly framework for managing projects that encourage open communication and team autonomy so that changes may be implemented quickly. The Scrum Master’s role also includes providing guidance and direction to the team members. In a nutshell, the Scrum Master is a servant leader who uses a variety of techniques to ensure that the organization adopts Scrum and agile processes and meets its goals in a timely manner.
What Does a Scrum Master Do?
A scrum team is led by a Scrum Master. Agile, self-organizing teams meet daily to discuss their progress, prepare for the coming tasks, and gather in a scrum. Some teams always have the same person serving as Scrum Master, while others take turns rotating members of the team through the job. Since there is no universally accepted method, teams are free to select the Scrum Master position that works best for them.
Scrum Master Responsibilities
Starting a career as a scrum master may be extremely lucrative, as evidenced by the stated income numbers, regardless of your degree of experience. A scrum master’s responsibilities encompass the entire team, including the product owner. They are not the “masters” of a team, and it is not their role to make broad strategic product choices.
However, the following duties fall under their purview in general:
- Scrum framework implementation requires collaboration and coordination among the development team, product owner, and other departments.
- Methods of Product Backlog Management Technique Development
- Helping the product owner see things more clearly concerning the product backlog’s configuration for maximum value
- Resolving problems and obstructions that prevent the team from working efficiently on a project.
- Helping the development team meet their deadlines while still creating high-quality goods
- Increasing productivity through routine inspections and increased openness
- Teaching the development team about Scrum and Agile so they can start using them
- Coordinating with various groups and individuals to embed scrum practices into the whole product lifecycle
- Fostering a culture of agility to raise the team’s efficiency and output over time
What are the Different Types of ScrumMaster Career Paths Available?
ScrumMasters shouldn’t be comfortable with their current role indefinitely. Consequently, if you want to take your professional life to the next level, you can choose from a number of different career tracks. Here are some of them:
#1. Agile Coach
Scrum and Agile are both facilitated by Agile coaches. Think of it as a narrower, more specialized form of ScrumMaster.
#2. Mentor
Consider entering the teaching profession after several years of practicing as a ScrumMaster and mastering the Scrum framework. Since there is usually more than one scrum team in larger companies, multiple scrum masters are required. Mentors train new team members to use Scrum effectively.
#3. Manager
You can switch gears completely and look for managerial work. After all, a successful manager is an effective leader with an in-depth familiarity with the company’s inner workings. A previous ScrumMaster is ideal for these tasks.
The only thing stopping you from accomplishing more is your own lack of ambition and lack of imagination. A job in which the ScrumMaster can put their people skills, leadership, and technical knowledge to use would be great.
How Do You Become a ScrumMaster?
Considering the weight of responsibility that falls on the shoulders of a ScrumMaster, one may assume that the path to becoming one is arduous. It’s actually not that difficult, which is a good thing. However, being an effective ScrumMaster does call for a unique combination of personality traits and soft skills. Competent ScrumMasters:
- Is a good communicator
- are sociable
- are strong leaders who aren’t hesitant to take the reins and rally the troops.
- are driven by their own initiative
- Possesses the ability to maintain diplomatic distance from team members.
- Take pleasure in finding solutions
Learning Scrum’s foundations are the first step towards becoming a ScrumMaster. A quick internet search can turn up countless websites that can provide you with the fundamentals.
You will also be prepared to take the Certified ScrumMaster exam once you have a firm grasp of the Scrum framework. The training is a two-day program designed to get you certified. This training is also a great opportunity for working professionals to improve their abilities. Improving one’s skill set is always a good idea because it pays off in the long run.
After finishing the course, you can sign up for the CSM exam and give it a shot. If you make it through it, you should feel very accomplished. Find out more about the certification process for ScrumMasters.
What’s the Demand for ScrumMasters?
According to the ScrumMaster Trends Report published by Scrum.org and Age of Product, ScrumMasters are gaining prominence and acceptance throughout organizations. The research also highlights the importance of certification for a Scrum Master. Scrum Masters with training and certification are more highly valued and paid than those without such credentials. There is no reason not to get your certification training, especially when some employers will even pay for it.
Scrum is part of the Agile framework, which is used by a growing number of companies as an alternative to the less popular waterfall approach.
Different Types of Scrum Master Certifications
One can further their career in Agile project management by earning one of several distinct Scrum Master certifications. Here are some of them:
#1. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
The Scrum Alliance’s Scrum Master credential is the gold standard. This service is provided by the Scrum Alliance, a nonprofit group dedicated to spreading the Scrum framework. Earning this credential demonstrates proficiency in the Scrum methodology and its associated roles, events, and artifacts.
#2. Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
Scrum.org offers this certification to its users. The emphasis of this PSM certification is on using Scrum in the real world. It verifies that you understand Scrum and are able to apply its values and principles in the actual world.
#3. Safe Scrum Master (SSM)
Certification as a Safe Scrum Master (SSM) demonstrates that you have the expertise to serve as Scrum Master in a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) setting. To apply Agile principles across large-scale projects, SAFe provides a framework for doing so. Projects involving many teams, stakeholders, and dependencies in software and system development are ideal candidates for this tool.
Scrum Master Salary
Due to the widespread adoption of Agile practices in the realm of project management, the need for skilled Scrum Masters has skyrocketed. The average salary for a Certified Scrum Master around the world is $95,000 per year, as reported by Glassdoor. However, depending on factors including location, years of experience, and level of certification, the annual compensation might be anywhere from $69,000 to $129,000.
What Does a Scrum Master Salary Look Like in Different Countries?
Of course, the salary for a Scrum Master varies from country to country, depending on factors like the economy and the need for such a position in a given region. For this reason, the salary of a Certified Scrum Master in India and the UK will differ from one another. Check them out:
#1. A Typical Scrum Master Salary in the United States
The average salary for an Entry Level Scrum Master in the US is $104,468. Scrum Masters in the United States receive an average of $9,806 per year in cash bonuses. The average salary for a Certified Scrum Master in the United States is $114,275.
#2. The Salary of a Certified Scrum Master in Canada
In the Montreal, Quebec area, a Scrum Master can expect an annual compensation of $88,287 on average. A cash bonus ranging from $2,303 to $14,938 is paid on top of this pay for a total of $5,865.
#3. Average Salary of a Certified Scrum Master in the UK
The typical salary for a Scrum Master in the UK is £57,144 per year.
Scrum Master Salary Based on Experience Level
Regardless of your specific job description or other qualifications, the single most important factor in determining the salary is your level of relevant work experience. Your initial wage will be lower than that of more seasoned professionals if you are just entering the workforce. In a similar vein, as a scrum master, your salary will rise as you gain experience.
Salary ranges in the United States are as follows, generally speaking, depending on one’s level of experience:
- Entry-level scrum master salary – $85,000 per year
- Senior scrum master salary – $1,17,062 per year
Scrum Master Salary Maryland
The typical salary for a scrum master in Maryland is $129,500 a year, or $62.26 per hour. The starting salary for an entry-level scrum master is $110,000 per year, with most experienced individuals earning up to $185,800.
Scrum Master Salary Atlanta
According to Salary.com, the median salary of a Scrum Master in Atlanta is $134,200, with a range ranging between $122,500 and $148,200. A person’s salary can be significantly impacted by their background, experience, and other criteria such as their level of education, certifications, and other abilities.
Factors Affecting the Salary of Scrum Master
Scrum master salary can be affected by the following factors:
#1. Location
Salary for a Scrum Master might vary widely depending on the region. Scrum Masters are in high demand in some areas while others have far lower salaries.
#2. Experience
The salary of a Certified Scrum Master may also depend on how much experience they have. Scrum Masters who have worked in the field for a while should expect to earn more than their less experienced counterparts. Scrum Masters improve their abilities to coach and advise teams, mediate disagreements, and streamline operations as they gain experience in the role. They become more valuable to businesses as a result, and their pay rises proportionally.
#3. Industry
The salary of an Entry Level Scrum Master is highly dependent on the sector in which the job is located. Scrum Masters in fields where Agile project management is in high demand, such as software development, and IT, should expect higher salaries than their counterparts in fields where this approach is less common.
#4. The Scale of Business
The salary of a Scrum Master may also be affected by the company’s size. Scrum Masters should anticipate higher compensation in larger firms with more substantial projects and larger teams. In larger organizations, the job of the Scrum Master is especially important because of the greater availability of resources and larger budgets for Agile projects.
Salary for scrum master without certification
Every company always seeks out qualified new employees. Earning the Certified SCRUM Master (CSM) credential demonstrates competence in the SCRUM Master role. Therefore, having a Certified Scrum Master credential is an asset to the SCRUM Master’s resume, particularly in the IT Services sector. The demand for Certified SCRUM Masters among IT service providers’ clientele has led to the industry-wide requirement for SCRUM Master Certification.
What Industries Use ScrumMasters, and Which Pay Better?
Scrum Masters are especially valuable in certain fields. Scrum was initially adopted by the information technology (IT) industry, but its popularity is spreading. These specifics, like the salaries listed above, are not set in stone and may change depending on the state of the economy, the level of demand, and other variables. However, it’s a decent representation of the whole. Keep in mind that the wage range for a Scrum Master can be rather broad, from entry-level all the way up to the very top.
As Scrum continues to show promising results, it may gain traction in a wider range of sectors.
Insurance, pension funds, and investment organizations are all examples of financial services.
- Industrial R&D (for both light and heavy production)
- Building and repairing
- Advertising Activities
- Groups that offer advice
- Institutions of the State
- Challengers (like Airbnb and Uber)
The financial industry is the highest-paying sector, with average annual salaries for product owners of $149,000. Product owners can earn up to $136,000 per year in the insurance industry, whereas they can earn up to $125,000 per year in the telecoms industry. Scrum was developed in the computing industry, which offers comparable lucrative salaries; for example, Apple’s project manager positions pay roughly $145,000 per year.
Average Scrum Master Salary By Country
- United States: $114,275
- Singapore: SGD 81,000
- Australia: A$120K
- United Kingdom: £57,144
- Canada: CA$88,287
- New Zealand: NZ$114K
- South Africa: ZAR 41K (monthly)
- China: ¥ 16K (monthly)
- India: ₹13,00,000 LPA
Why Is Scrum Master Salary So High?
Being agile means providing even more value to customers than previously. The executive group will care a great deal about all of these effects. It’s hardly surprising that a Scrum Master’s Salary can be rather high; Scrum Masters have a wide range of expertise and, in general, an impressive resume.
Is Scrum Master a Stressful Job?
By its very nature, the role of Scrum Master can be emotionally taxing on its incumbent. While each person’s idea of stress is unique and not every difficult scenario presents itself in the same way in every workplace, there are some commonalities.
Is Scrum Master in Demand?
The Scrum Master’s responsibilities extend beyond coaching and training to include managing projects and figuring out what kind of technical know-how is needed. Scrum masters will always be in high demand.
Does Scrum Master Need To Know Coding?
The Scrum framework makes no mention of the necessity for the Scrum Master to have coding skills. The Scrum Master role and its responsibilities do not necessitate technical expertise in programming.
Final Thoughts
Location, years of experience, type of business, and size of the organization are just a few of the variables that can affect the salary of a Scrum Master. Earning potential for Scrum Masters increases with certification. Scrum Masters are in high demand as Agile becomes the de facto standard in project management, making the role attractive for individuals considering a career change. You can pick up this career to enjoy the good pay too.
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