Muhamad Thasveer Arafath
Nov 21, 2025
Top project management certifications in Riyadh, like PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2, CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management), PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner), and PgMP (Program Management Professional), are currently a career necessity for professionals in Saudi Arabia. The demand for qualified project managers continues to grow due to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. It focuses on mega developments in construction, information technology, healthcare, oil and gas, and leadership sectors of the government.
A recent graduate looking for a first job, a professional in the early stages of a career looking for a promotion, or a manager with experience aiming for senior management can all acquire the right PMP certification in Riyadh to steer their career in a positive direction.
This guide helps you identify the 10 most recommended project management certifications in Saudi Arabia. Let's also discuss career paths, earning potential, and the most relevant industries associated with each.
Let us take a look at the top 10 project management certifications that influence careers in Riyadh. Here are the 10 Project Management Certifications in Riyadh.
PMP – Project Management Professional (PMI)
PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner
CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management (PMI)
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
PMI-ACP – Agile Certified Practitioner
PgMP – Program Management Professional (PMI)
PMI-RMP – Risk Management Professional
Lean Six Sigma Certification (Green Belt / Black Belt)
CompTIA Project+
Certified Project Director (CPD)
The PMP certification in Riyadh is one of the most recognised credentials worldwide. Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), it certifies your competence in managing and directing projects within any field. PMP is in great demand in Riyadh, particularly in sectors such as construction, oil and gas, information technology, and government services. High-value projects in Riyadh are supervised by PMP managers. Hence, Saudi companies recruit PMP-certified professionals in large numbers.
Edoxi is one of the most preferred institutions to take the PMP® Course in Riyadh. This PMP course is structured for professionals in any field who require management skills to improve their marketability. The PMP training program is designed according to the PMI exam content outline and will cover the necessary material to pass the PMP Certification exam.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
Job Roles After Completing PMP Certification in Riyadh
According to Indeed KSA, PMP professionals in Riyadh earn between SAR 25,000 – SAR 45,000 per month, depending on experience.
PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a UK-based certification, but it is also well recognized in Saudi Arabia. The PRINCE2 methodology for structured project management has been adopted by a good number of government and multinational organizations in Riyadh. You will have a competitive advantage in most project management jobs in Riyadh since a large number of government projects are executed in accordance with the PRINCE2 standards.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
The annual salary for PRINCE2-certified professionals in Riyadh is approximately SAR 122,000 to SAR 264,000 for a Project Manager, according to Payscale data for Saudi Arabia
The CAPM credential is appropriate for new graduates or young professionals as it helps to gain basic project management skills. For companies focused on hiring fresh talent, CAPM is valuable for roles in project support.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
Job Roles After CAPM Certification
Data from Payscale indicates that the average annual salary of CAPM-certified professionals in Riyadh is SAR 40,000 for an Administration Assistant role and SAR 96,000 for a Project Specialist role.
The CSM certification is increasingly popular in Riyadh’s information technology and software sectors. Many Agile-adopting tech startups and IT departments in Riyadh consider a Scrum certification an important asset.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
Job Roles After CSM Certification
Salary Expert indicates that the salary of CSM-certified professionals in Riyadh SAR 86,487 for a Customer Service Manager to SAR 45,000–SAR 85,000 monthly for general Scrum Master roles, and even higher for senior positions.
PMI-ACP certification is for professionals who want to prove their skills in Agile methodology. Unlike the CSM certification, the PMI-ACP focuses on a variety of Agile techniques such as Kanban, Scrum, Lean, and XP. Saudi Arabia’s rapid digital transformation, especially in the IT, telecom, and banking industries, makes the PMI-ACP certification a highly sought-after career move.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
According to Payscale Saudi Arabia, the Salary of a PMI-ACP – Agile Certified Practitioner in Riyadh ranges from SAR 136k–320k for Senior Project Managers in IT, around SAR 340,000 for Program Managers in IT, and an average of SAR 324,000 for Project Managers across industries.
The PgMP certification is well-suited for top-level managers who oversee numerous interrelated projects that fall under a singular program. With ongoing initiatives in the construction and oil & gas industries, as well as the development of smart cities, there is a need for certified program managers to help large-scale projects align with the goals of the nation.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
According to Unichrone, the Salary of a PgMP – Program Management Professional (PMI) in Riyadh ranges from SAR 35,000 to SAR 60,000 per month.
Every project involves uncertainty. The PMI-RMP certification equips professionals to identify, apply, and control risks effectively. Organizations working on critical infrastructure and financial projects count on RMP-certified professionals to mitigate risks and protect investments. To join this job role, you can start with a PMI-RMP - Risk Management Professional certification.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
PMI suggests the average annual salary for a PMI-RMP (Risk Management Professional) in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, is estimated to be around SAR 371,000 per year
Lean Six Sigma signifies process improvement that champions both value and quality in a given service or product. Currently, these methodologies are being adopted in the digital transformation and operational excellence initiatives being implemented in the manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries. Hence, having the Lean Six Sigma Certification can make you sought after in the job market.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
In Riyadh, the salary for Lean Six Sigma professionals ranges from SAR 158,000 annually for a Green Belt to SAR 249,000 or more for a Black Belt. (Skillogic)
CompTIA Project+ is an entry-level certification for IT and business project professionals. For those starting their careers, it is an ideal choice. It covers the fundamentals for those managing small to medium-sized projects.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
Payscale suggests the average annual salary for a CompTIA Project+ professional in Riyadh is estimated to be around SAR 51,000 per year
The Certified Project Director (CPD) is designed for seasoned leaders who manage strategic initiatives and high-level project portfolios. CPD-certified leaders are currently pivotal in steering success with the Kingdom’s investments in mega infrastructure and economic diversification projects.
Who it’s for:
What it covers:
Job Roles After CPD Certification
The average salary for a Project Director in Riyadh is approximately SAR 59,000 per month, according to GulfTalent.
Project management offers a progressive career ladder in Riyadh. Certifications accelerate growth at every stage:
To know more, we suggest you explore the article 10 Highest Paying Project Management Jobs in 2025.
Project management certifications in Riyadh offer the opportunity for global employment, high income, and executive roles. Integrated Vision 2030 initiatives are complemented by infrastructure, healthcare, and technology projects and placed certified Riyadh professionals at the forefront. Project management entails meeting the goals and objectives of a project within set timelines and a budget, which is why possessing a project management certification is highly advantageous.
If you are just getting started, the CAPM and CompTIA Project+ certifications are great options to help you get started on the right foot. For project management professionals looking to strengthen their skills, the PMP, PRINCE2, and PMI-ACP certifications will help you learn how to manage and lead intricate projects and diverse teams. Finally, for those who are looking to consolidate their position in senior management, the PgMP, Lean Six Sigma, and CPD certifications will position you as a senior strategic leader with the ability to oversee and control multi-billion-dollar business programs.
1. Which project management certification is best in Riyadh for beginners?
The CAPM and CompTIA Project+ are ideal for fresh graduates and beginners.
2. Is PMP certification worth it in Riyadh?
Yes, PMP is one of the most sought certifications, and it comes with a significant salary increase and the opportunity to grow in your career.
3. Which industries in Riyadh hire the most project managers?
The construction, IT, oil & gas, healthcare and government sectors are the most prominent industries.
4. What is the average salary of a certified project manager in Riyadh?
Project managers in Riyadh earn certified salaries, depending on the certification, between SAR 18,000 and SAR 60,000 monthly.
5. Can project management certifications help me move abroad?
Yes, certifications like PMP, PRINCE2, and PgMP will certainly help you move internationally.
Project Management Consultant and Trainer
Muhamad Thasveer Arafath is an engineer with a post-graduation MBA who possesses 20+ years of industry work experience in Project Management. To name a few of his area expertise, he has worked in various multi-million construction/development projects and programs in the UAE concerning project planning, project controls, project advisory/valuations, as a project lead, etc.
Muhamad is currently a project management consultant and trainer specializing in Project Management Institute (PMI) certifications. He has now completed training for 65+ batches for various PMI certifications, holding an excellent passing rate among his training participants.
He holds eight certifications from PMI and is an Award winner from the PMI UAE Chapter in 2019/2020 for being the member with the highest number of PMI certifications in UAE. He is certified from PMI in PfMP, PgMP, PMP, RMP, SP, SP, PBA and CAPM. He is also a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Valuers (FIIV).