Weighing a professional certification? This free calculator estimates the total cost (tuition, exam, and renewal fees), the salary lift certified professionals report, and your payback period — so you can decide whether a credential is worth the time and money before you commit.
How the calculator works
- Pick a certification — from finance (FMVA, CFA, CPA) to project management (PMP) and tech (AWS, CompTIA Security+).
- Enter your current salary — the tool applies a conservative, cited salary-lift figure for that credential.
- Read your ROI — total cost, estimated annual salary lift, and how many months it takes to pay for itself.
How we source these numbers
Every figure is drawn from public data and kept deliberately conservative. Exam and registration fees are the official 2026 amounts published by each credentialing body; preparation costs are representative and vary by provider. Salary figures come from published surveys — not our own estimates — and we use the low end of each cited range:
- PMP — PMI’s Earning Power Salary Survey reports PMP holders earn ~33% more globally (44% in the US); we apply a conservative 20%.
- CFA — Kaplan Schweser’s survey shows an average ~15% earnings increase after earning the charter (CFA Institute cites an 18–53% range by role).
- CPA — the AICPA reports a 10–15% premium over non-credentialed accountants; the BLS puts it at 10–25%. We apply 15%.
- AWS & CompTIA Security+ — directional figures from public salary aggregates for certified professionals.
These are correlations, not guarantees: a certification is one factor in compensation among many. Read the how we review page for our full methodology.
2026 certification cost reference
| Certification | Typical total cost | Study hours | Reported salary lift* |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFI FMVA | ~$398 | ~120 | — |
| PMP | ~$835 | ~120 | ~20% (PMI) |
| CFA (all 3 levels) | ~$4,695 | ~900 | ~15% (Kaplan Schweser) |
| CPA | ~$3,150 | ~400 | ~15% (AICPA/BLS) |
| AWS Solutions Architect Associate | ~$330 | ~100 | ~12% (aggregates) |
| CompTIA Security+ | ~$539 | ~90 | ~10% (aggregates) |
*Conservative low-end of cited public survey ranges. Exam fees official; prep costs representative. FMVA has no published salary-premium survey, so no lift is shown.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the PMP certification cost?
In 2026 the PMP exam is $425 for PMI members ($675 for non-members), plus optional membership ($164) and prep. Renewal is $60 every three years for members. Budget roughly $800–900 all-in.
How much does it cost to become a CFA charterholder?
All three CFA levels cost about $3,520 in early registration fees (the one-time enrollment fee was removed in February 2026), plus prep materials of $99–1,499 per level and ~$275/year in dues once you charter.
Is a certification worth the cost?
It depends on your field and target role. Credentials with strong published salary premiums (PMP, CFA, CPA) tend to pay back quickly for the right career path; skills certificates like FMVA are better judged on the practical ability they build. Use the calculator above to model your own numbers.
Which certification has the fastest payback?
Generally, low-cost credentials tied to a measurable salary lift — such as PMP or AWS Solutions Architect — show the shortest payback periods. Enter your salary above to see your specific estimate.
Last updated July 2026. Figures are estimates for planning only, not financial advice.