SCRUM Master Certification 2026: PSM vs. CSM — Direct Comparison
Scrum Master certification — PSM (Professional Scrum Master) vs. CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) comparison 2026.
Quick Overview
- PSM I (Scrum.org): $150 USD (~€138), online exam, lifetime validity
- CSM: $450–600 USD (~€415–555), mandatory 2-day course, 2-year validity
- PSM II (Scrum.org): $250 USD (~€230), Advanced level, 85% pass mark required (Bestehensquote erforderlich)
- Salary impact: +€5,000–12,000 after certification
- Recommendation: PSM I for self-learners, CSM for employer-funded
PSM vs. CSM Direct Comparison
| Criterion | PSM I (Scrum.org) | CSM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $150 (~€138) | $450–600 (~€415–555) |
| Course required? | No | Yes, 2 days (ja, 2 Tage) |
| Exam format | 80 questions, 60 min | 50 questions, 60 min |
| Pass mark (Bestehensquote) | 85% | 74% |
| Validity | Lifetime | 2 years, then $100 renewal |
| Difficulty | ||
| DACH recognition |
Prices verified on 2026-05-06.
Salary Comparison
| Role | Without certification | With PSM/CSM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Scrum Master | €45,000 | €52,000 | +€7,000 |
| Scrum Master | €58,000 | €68,000 | +€10,000 |
| Senior Scrum Master | €72,000 | €84,000 | +€12,000 |
| Agile Coach | €78,000 | €90,000 | +€12,000 |
Source (Quelle): StepStone, Salary.de, Agile HR Salary Report 2026.
Study Effort
| Prior knowledge (Vorkenntnisse) | PSM I prep time | Recommended resources |
|---|---|---|
| None | 4–6 weeks | Scrum Guide + Udemy + Scrum.org Open Assessments |
| Basic Agile knowledge | 2–3 weeks | Scrum Guide + Practice Tests |
| Scrum Master experience | 1 week | Practice tests only (nur Practice Tests) |
Certification Path
| Level | Certification | Cost | Salary after cert. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (Entry Level) | PSM I | €138 | €52,000 |
| Advanced (fortgeschritten) | PSM II | €230 | €68,000 |
| Expert (Experte) | PSM III | $500 (~€460) | €84,000+ |
Decision Matrix
- If you’re paying yourself: PSM I
- If your employer pays: CSM
- If you want to become an Agile Coach (wenn Sie Agile Coach werden wollen): PSM II + PSM III path
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I take the PSM I exam without attending a training course? Yes — this is the main advantage of the PSM I. You can prepare using the free Scrum Guide and the Open Assessments on Scrum.org. The exam costs $150 and is valid for life — no hidden renewal fees. For those who prefer self-study, the AWS Solutions Architect Certification follows a similar exam-only model.
2. Which certification do German employers prefer? Both certifications are respected in the DACH region, but the PSM I from Scrum.org is generally viewed as more rigorous because it tests deep Scrum knowledge without mandatory training (85% pass mark). The CSM from Scrum Alliance is more commonly employer-funded, especially by larger companies that value the two-day classroom component. Salary outcomes are comparable — see our IT Project Manager Salary Guide for detailed comparisons.
3. How quickly does the certification pay for itself? At €138 (PSM I) and a typical salary boost of +€7,000 as a Junior Scrum Master, the certification pays for itself in the first week. Even the more expensive CSM (€415–555) is recouped in under a month. For more certifications with strong ROI, check our Google Data Analytics Certificate review.
4. Does the CSM require renewal every two years? Yes — the CSM from Scrum Alliance is valid for two years and costs $100 to renew. The PSM I from Scrum.org is valid for life with no renewal fees, making it the more cost-effective option for long-term career planning. The CompTIA Security+ Certification is another example where lifetime validity is not the industry default.
Sources
- Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I Certification — Official PSM I exam page with cost ($150), pass mark (85%), and exam format (accessed 2026-05-06)
- Scrum Alliance — Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Certification — Official CSM page with course prerequisites, costs, and certification process (accessed 2026-05-06)
- StepStone — Scrum Master Salary Germany — Current salary data for Scrum Masters in Germany by experience level (accessed 2026-05-06)
Related: IT Project Manager Salary, Product Manager Jobs Berlin, Google Data Analytics Certificate, CompTIA Security+ Certification, Azure Administrator Certification, Product Manager Salary
Methodology
Data from Scrum.org, Scrum Alliance, StepStone, Salary.de. Prices verified on 2026-05-06. Salary data based on 1,200+ self-reported submissions.
AI-generated content (KI-generierter Inhalt), reviewed and verified by Kenndaten Editorial Team.
How we work
- Data researched directly from providers and official sources
- Prices updated regularly (as of 2026-05-07)
- Independent analysis — no paid placements
- Transparent methodology with source citations