Microsoft$148k median pay
7 postings
View jobs ↗ at Microsoft matching PSM I
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
Validates knowledge of Scrum principles, Scrum Master responsibilities and applying the Scrum framework to support effective teams.
Summary
PSM I is Scrum.org's entry-level Scrum Master certification, for people who want to work as a Scrum Master. It tests Scrum knowledge through an 80-question online test with an 85% pass score, with no required course.
Good fit if
- You want to prove Scrum knowledge without a mandatory course
- You want a credential that never expires
- You know the Scrum Guide well and need to validate it
Look elsewhere if
- Your employer wants a course-based credential: CSM
- You need a broad agile credential beyond Scrum: PMI-ACP
- Your organization runs SAFe: SAFe Agilist
Salary & jobs
50 US job postings ask for PSM I, with Scrum Master as the most common job title. The median pay is $148k a year; most fall between $135k and $169k.
Top-paying job titles
Most common job titles
| Job title | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scrum Master | $146k | 11 |
Top-paying employers
Microsoft
Peraton$112k median pay
5 postings
View jobs ↗ at Peraton matching PSM I| Job title | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scrum Master | $146k | 11 |
| Command Control Scrum Master | - | 6 |
| Consulting Project Manager Ctj Poly | - | 2 |
| Scrum Master Advisor | - | 2 |
| Scrum Master I | - | 2 |
| Scrum Master II | - | 2 |
| Technical Product Manager Robotics | - | 2 |
| Agile Delivery AI Proprietary Models AI Hub | - | 1 |
| Agile Delivery Americas | - | 1 |
| AI Scrum Master Agile Coach Regrello | - | 1 |
| Americas Delivery Assurance Leader | - | 1 |
| Consulting Program Management Ctj Top Secret | - | 1 |
| Consulting Project Management Specialist Oil Gas Energy | - | 1 |
| Display Solutions Hardware Platform Enablement Architect | - | 1 |
| Engineer Embedded Services Scrum Master | - | 1 |
Top employers
Microsoft7 postings
$148k median pay
Most common title: Consulting Project Manager Ctj Poly
View jobs ↗ at Microsoft matching PSM I
RTX6 postings
Most common title: Command Control Scrum Master
View jobs ↗ at RTX matching PSM IPeraton5 postings
$112k median pay
Most common title: Scrum Master
View jobs ↗ at Peraton matching PSM I
Genuine Parts Company2 postings
Most common title: Scrum Master I
View jobs ↗ at Genuine Parts Company matching PSM I
JP Morgan Chase2 postings
Most common title: Vice President Product Agility
View jobs ↗ at JP Morgan Chase matching PSM I
jj2 postings
Most common title: Technical Product Manager Robotics
View jobs ↗ at jj matching PSM I
84511 postings
Most common title: Agile Delivery AI Proprietary Models AI Hub
View jobs ↗ at 8451 matching PSM I
CACI1 postings
Most common title: Scrum Master Safe Team Facilitator
View jobs ↗ at CACI matching PSM IPrerequisites
Cost
What holders say
Works as an entry-level resume filter and knowledge primer
PSM I works as a checkbox that clears recruiter keyword searches, and studying pushes people to read the Scrum Guide. Early-career holders say it is worth the modest cost and a weekend.
Matters most alongside real team experience, not as a replacement for it
People with on-the-job Scrum experience say the certificate helped once paired with it. Applicants with only the certificate and no Scrum Master background say it was not enough by itself.
The Scrum Master job market is the bigger obstacle, not the certification
Hiring for dedicated Scrum Master roles has cooled, and some call the title oversaturated. Jobs come more from internal moves, referrals and networking, so people suggest adding coding or broader agile skills.
Renewal
Alternatives
CSM$399 required · Entry
Scrum Alliance's course-based Scrum Master credential, for people whose employer wants a live class or values Scrum Alliance's brand.
PMI-ACP$525 required · Intermediate
Broader agile credential covering Scrum, Kanban and other frameworks, for people who need more than Scrum alone.
SA$495 required · Entry
Enterprise-scale agile credential for organizations that run SAFe rather than team-level Scrum.
FAQ
Do I need a course to get PSM I?
No. Buy a password on scrum.org and take the test when you are ready. A Scrum.org PSM class includes a free attempt.
Is the PSM I test open book?
You may use printed reference material. You must stay in the test window, work alone and not use AI tools. With 80 questions in 60 minutes there is little time to look things up.
How is PSM I different from CSM?
PSM I is a test you can take without a class, and it does not expire. CSM requires a two-day Scrum Alliance course and renews every two years.
Which Scrum Guide does PSM I use?
The 2020 Scrum Guide, which is still the current edition.
Last updated October 2026