SAFe Agilist (SA) - Scaled Agile Framework
SA vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| SAFe Agilist (SA) - Scaled Agile Framework | PMP - Project Management Professional | CAPM - Certified Associate in PM | PMI-ACP - Agile Certified Practitioner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Scaled Agile | PMI | PMI | PMI |
| Level | Intermediate | Advanced | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Exam fee | $995 | $405 (member) / $555 (non-member) | $225 | $495 |
| Duration | — | — | 180 minutes | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | 3 years | — |
| Typical salary | $115K–$150K | $130K–$160K | $70K–$90K | $115K–$140K |
| Prerequisites | — | — | A secondary degree (high school diploma, GED or global equivalent), at least 18 years old… | — |
Which should you choose?
Should I take SA or PMP - Project Management Professional first?
SA is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take SA or CAPM - Certified Associate in PM first?
CAPM - Certified Associate in PM is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Intermediate), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take SA or PMI-ACP - Agile Certified Practitioner first?
Both are rated Intermediate. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.