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Agile adoption gained steam around 2010, and today almost 71% of companies report using some Agile framework. With the increase in Agile software development, there is also a rise in demand for skilled Agile practitioners. However, 42% of the workforce report a lack of experience and skill in Agile adoption.
And this is where Scaled Agilist certification comes into play.
Scaled Agilist certification helps you understand how to achieve business agility at an enterprise level, apply the Lean-Agile mindset, maximize business value, and support Lean-Agile transformation in your organization.
In this guide, we will discuss the aspects of a SAFe Agilist certification, including job prospects, costs, and ROI, to help you decide whether it is worth pursuing.
The current demand for SAFe Agilist certification
As accelerated software delivery becomes a differentiating factor for companies, they need skilled professionals to help them reach the next stage of Agile evolution. This includes adopting Agile practices at scale, even in remote environments, to create better applications, increase speed, and facilitate better collaboration.
Research shows that 46% of companies follow inconsistent methods and practices across teams, making it the biggest barrier to Agile adoption at an organizational level.
With a SAFe Agilist certification, you will dive deep into critical concepts that deal with applying Lean-Agile principles at scale and improve your leadership skills by learning how to create high-performance Agile teams. The demand for SAFe Agilist certification is also increasing because it educates Agile teams on maximizing business value through program increment planning and Agile release training.
With that said, let’s look at the table below to understand the different job opportunities available for SAFe Agilist certificate holders.
| Job Roles | Average Salary of Entry-Level Professionals in the USA | Average Salary of Experienced Professionals in the USA |
| SAFe Agile Coach | $130,001 | $181,350 |
| SAFe Agilist | $80,050 | $135,000 |
Professionals who want to pursue high-paying jobs like Release Train engineer and Agile Delivery lead, and others that pay attractive salaries of up to 200k, are also recommended to pursue SAFe Agilist certification along with their primary certifications.
In recent research by Gartner, Scaled Agile was listed as one of the most coveted skills for software developers to learn in 2022.
Cost and ROI comparison of SAFe Agilist certification
From the above, it is clear that SAFe Agilist certification is in demand. For your knowledge, here's a quick comparison of the costs and their ROI.
The cost of doing the certification differs from country to country. In the USA, it costs up to $1500. Re-examinations can cost you an extra $50.
A quick analysis of how SAFe Agilist certification can supercharge your career:
- Future-proofing your career from upheavals: The job market is affected by multiple economic factors that can lead to industry-wide layoffs. Reports show that in November alone, lay-off numbers rose to a chilling 121,000 —and it’s about to get worse in the upcoming months. Upskilling yourself with SAFe Agilist certification can help you improve your skills and become an asset at your workplace.
- Grabbing better work opportunities: The above figures have shown that getting SAFe certified can help you unlock better career opportunities with competitive packages that offer as much as $150,000!
- Improving your chances of getting hired: At the end of the day, employers want to see results and improve their existing processes. Whether you are just starting in the software development field or want to take your career to the next level, SAFe Agilist certification showcases that you have the practical knowledge and skills to maximize business value. It will give you an edge over other candidates.
It is clear that during these uncertain times, the value of a SAFe Agilist certification far outweighs the costs.
P.S. If you want to learn more about the benefits of getting the certification, continue reading here.
Future Scope
The Scaled Agile Framework has evolved over the years and has sparked a debate about its future scope in the job market. Let’s do a quick rundown on factors that will impact the future of those who pursue a SAFe Agilist certification:
- SAFe will focus on DevOps: With DevOps making inroads in the software development industry due to its integrated approach, SAFe will focus on a crucial concept from DevOps—the continuous delivery pipeline. The Leading SAFe 5.1 update also talks about it in depth. It will help attendees understand DevOps and explore more job opportunities related to the field.
- It will be more flexible: SAFe, in its recent update, introduced a wide development environment that helps leaders execute projects from simple to more complex levels. Understanding this will help attendees meet challenging business requirements and gain the confidence to solve problems at an enterprise level.
- Exploring DevSecOps: For those who don’t know, DevSecOps is the practice of integrating security at every development stage. Leading SAFe 5.1 has included a module on DevSecOps, creating better career opportunities for SAFe practitioners to pursue high-paying jobs.
Become seasoned SAFe experts with our interactive SAFe training program!
Being the Gold Partners of Scaled Agile Framework, we have designed a SAFe training program that turns amateurs into seasoned experts through live training and an industry-oriented curriculum.
In our 2-day training program, we will offer real-life knowledge on becoming a Lean-Agile leader and get insights into tools, techniques, and best industry practices through case studies, group discussions, and live Q&A sessions.
From enrollment to exam prep, get complete support to ace your exam and thrive in the digital age with business agility.
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