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Job outlook for scrum masters in the United States
Are scrum master jobs in demand?
Scrum master job and salary trends over time
Scrum master jobs over time
Scrum master job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,228 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 8,483 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,695 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,498 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,069 | 0.00% |
Average scrum master salary over time
Scrum master salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $86,329 | $41.50 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $83,484 | $40.14 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $81,594 | $39.23 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $80,003 | $38.46 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $78,196 | $37.59 | +1.5% |
Scrum master jobs by state
Most common states for scrum masters
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 66 | 10% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 63 | 7% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 442 | 5% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 54 | 5% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 31 | 5% |
| 6 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 30 | 5% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 253 | 4% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 129 | 4% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 58 | 4% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 31 | 4% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 28 | 4% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 264 | 3% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 185 | 3% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 183 | 3% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 173 | 3% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 123 | 3% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 98 | 3% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 56 | 3% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 44 | 3% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 24 | 3% |
Most common cities for scrum masters
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herndon | 13 | 53% | $87,506 |
| 2 | Alpharetta | 33 | 51% | $78,714 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 19 | 48% | $87,513 |
| 4 | Bethesda | 12 | 20% | $87,148 |
| 5 | Hartford | 23 | 19% | $84,573 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 64 | 14% | $78,634 |
| 7 | Washington | 35 | 5% | $87,678 |
| 8 | Jersey City | 13 | 5% | $86,097 |
| 9 | Irving | 12 | 5% | $80,758 |
| 10 | Tampa | 14 | 4% | $80,624 |
| 11 | Plano | 12 | 4% | $80,341 |
| 12 | Boston | 20 | 3% | $84,686 |
| 13 | Charlotte | 18 | 2% | $84,067 |
| 14 | New York | 43 | 1% | $90,632 |
| 15 | Chicago | 30 | 1% | $82,919 |
| 16 | San Diego | 21 | 1% | $95,177 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 20 | 1% | $84,451 |
| 18 | Dallas | 14 | 1% | $80,808 |
| 19 | Los Angeles | 17 | 0% | $99,145 |
Scrum Master job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of scrum master experts
Widener University
Brigham Young University - Idaho
Framingham State University
Xavier University
Suffolk University
University of Maryland - College Park
Montana State University - Bozeman
Ashford University
Kennesaw State University
Pennsylvania State University
King University
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
What Scrum Master skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Swagata Banerjee PhD: Digital literacy: As technology continues to evolve, proficiency in digital tools and platforms will become increasingly essential. Adaptability: The ability to quickly learn new skills and adapt to changing circumstances will be crucial in a rapidly evolving industry landscape. Data literacy: Understanding and analyzing data will become more important for making informed decisions and optimizing strategies. Interdisciplinary skills: The ability to work across different disciplines and collaborate effectively with diverse teams will be highly valued. Emotional intelligence: Soft skills such as empathy, communication, and teamwork will continue to be in demand as workplaces become more interconnected and dynamic.
What Scrum Master skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adam Roth: I recommend that students start by identifying a specific skill in demand within your field, such as data analysis or social media marketing, and focus on developing expertise in that area. Research salary ranges and living costs in particular areas where you’re interested in working to ensure your compensation aligns with the local market. Always negotiate a salary and consider other aspects of the offer, such as funds for continuing education, technology and more. Continuing to network and establish demand for your services is essential; attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage with professionals in your field. Never miss an opportunity to reach out to and check in with your professional contacts. Pursue additional learning opportunities and education, such as certifications or advanced degrees, to provide a competitive advantage and increase your earning potential over time.
What will help Scrum Masters increase their earning potential?
Bradley Andrew Ph.D.: Once you have your first job, ask about or determine the 20% of your supervisor’s job that they hate and start doing that for them. They will love you for it and it will quickly get you recognition. You’ll also be well on your way to learning your boss’s job. Continue doing this as you progress in your career (Kudos to Theo Epstein, former GM for the Red Sox, for this recommendation)
No matter the task you’re given, do it to the absolute best of your abilities. In the professional world, you may often be given menial tasks or tasks that you don’t believe are part of your job description. Doing those tasks to the absolute best of your ability leads to increased trust, recognition and responsibility and will put you “above class.” If asked, the coffee you bring should be the best your boss has ever had. You never know who’s watching.
Don’t expect credit and don’t ask for credit when things go right; give the credit to others.
Tongyang Yang Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics and Business AnalyticsWidener University
Business/Commerce
What Scrum Master skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tongyang Yang Ph.D.: The rise of AI has brought many opportunities for the professions like business analysts in terms of AI integration. Businesses will need analysts who can bridge the gap between AI and human needs and focus on more strategic areas like identifying ethical considerations of AI implementation, developing plans to mitigate AI bias, and designing human-AI collaboration workflows. For people who are interested in entering this profession, I would suggest adapting your skillset to include AI understanding, data storytelling, and strategic thinking to be well-positioned in the future.
What general advice would you give to a Scrum Master?
Oliver Keys Jr: The power of mentorships and networking early in your career will be beneficial in the long run. Also, understanding that professional skills can be half the battle. Showing up on time, dressing appropriately, and communicating effectively can be challenging for some students. Internships and externships are great for students to get technical and professional experience.
What Scrum Master skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof. Kim Jovanovich P.E.: Attached please see the responses to your interview questions. I hope this sheds some light on the questions you asked!
What will help Scrum Masters increase their earning potential?
Kevin Kimball: Continue learning and make social connections within your employer’s umbrella, within your profession and within your larger community. The ones who have significant earnings upside are the ones who can sell the business and be connectors between people.
What will help Scrum Masters increase their earning potential?
Joseph Taylor: The role of a Business Analyst can vary greatly from company to company, and even from department to department, so it is very important to look at the details of a particular position that you are applying for. One common factor from all Business Analyst is that they are generally expected to make sense of data, and to be effective communicators that can apply insights to real-world problems.
What general advice would you give to a Scrum Master?
Jeannine Berge: Be curious. The company knows you are new to business and the organization. They don’t expect you to know everything from day one and are expecting you to ask questions. This shows maturity and indicates that you are interested in completing your responsibilities as effectively as possible. It also shows you are willing to listen and learn. New graduates should understand how the company operates and makes money. It’s important to know how your role or department impacts and supports the organization’s priorities and bottom line. You will be able to better prioritize and communicate your value to the organization if you know how you are contributing to their overall mission and goals.
What general advice would you give to a Scrum Master?
Erastus Ndinguri: A couple of ways to maximize your salary potential are;
Through first salary negotiation - By understanding the job market of your field, knowing what you can offer and preparing well for your salary negotiation you can positively maximize your first salary potential. This can affect your future earnings especially if you rise up the corporate ladder in the same organization.
Not settling, but continuing to learn- Learn a new skill that will help in building your resume. Network with colleagues in your organization and learn from them. Continuous learning and self-improvement create opportunities for higher earnings.
Embrace mentorships- Having a good seasoned colleague/mentor can open opportunities for higher earning. A mentor can help you prepare for a salary negotiation and also steer you to the right projects that lead to career advancements hence a higher salary.
What Scrum Master skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Zachary Russell Ph.D.: - A lot could change in the next few years, but many of the current most in-demand skills will likely remain. Communication, teamwork, leadership, and related soft skills are frequently mentioned as high needs for organizations. Unfortunately, a lot of students and new employees think such skills are too obvious or basic, and don't dedicate the effort to developing those skills. It is tough to predict the effect of artificial intelligence, but a lot of the "work" found in many office positions could be automated. However, knowing what the completed work (information) means, how to use it, and how to communicate it to important stakeholders will still be important. A critical aspect of communication is the importance of listening and learning. We often focus on what we want to communicate and don't dedicate enough effort to processing what others want to communicate to us. Listening, learning, and using the information are critical to becoming a successful team member and leader.
- The willingness to learn new technology will be incredibly important in the next 3-5 years. Recent graduates often think the learning is done when they get their diploma, but it is only the beginning. Technology development doesn't stop when someone graduates, and a willingness to learn and use new technologies to make oneself more efficient and effective will be very important. We've already seen the radical changes in office productivity from chatbots like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini, and the technology is still in its infancy. Skill development in these and other productivity enhancing technologies will be highly important.
What general advice would you give to a Scrum Master?
Dr. Jodi Detjen: Without a doubt AI will be critical. Just yesterday I was working with one of team members and he was doing some analysis for me. I instructed him to use Chat GPT. All the information was public and Chat GPT took a job that would've taken days and turned into hours. Now there's a learning curve to using it, there are privacy and IP issues, and there's still the requirement to figure out what the important analytical questions are. But AI is where it's all going. The other skills that will be maximized is the ability to work effectively in teams, even considering AI as a team member. The ability to offer feedback, be able to collaborate, organize thoughts and motivate people to change all will matter. Another area that will be highly valuable is the ability to think about how work will change. For example, most of us have been doing work a particular way. We need to be able to step back and ask what do we need to do and then how can AI automate that. And then once it's automated, how can we better use our time to make the business or organization more effective.
What Scrum Master skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jodi Detjen: First, ask. Explore using the internet what the salary ranges are and whether there's a bonus. Talk to people. Then seek to get a slightly higher salary. Negotiate. There are excellent resources and books out there to help those being hired to negotiate. Practice, prepare, practice some more then try it out. Then, once you start, take initiative. One thing I see so much in my work with young people is that they far too often wait to be told what to do. This is a recipe for not getting a raise. Instead, use the skill I described about and think about the additional value, additional thought, you can bring to the table. Bring your initiative and energy to solve the problem - take a more active role in your career and your job.
What will help Scrum Masters increase their earning potential?
John Bono: For a graduate beginning their career in the business field, the most important thing a graduate can do is grow their professional network as much as possible. Networking offers an individual the chance to meet other professionals that could open doors to new opportunities, provide emotional support, or even mentoring. New graduates should find ways to attend industry related conferences and events and participate in professional organizations in their chosen field. Additionally, professionals should use digital platforms like LinkedIn to maintain connections. Apart from networking, one other important piece of advice is not to be afraid to fail. The ability to learn from failures as a matter of self-improvement allows an individual to strive to become better with time.
What general advice would you give to a Scrum Master?
Anil Agarwal: Know what your strengths and weaknesses are. List them - think of things you can do really well for example leading a project, Social Skills, building a network, what areas of business do you love and enjoy. Find that field, have a passion and go for that job. Create your own unique LinkedIn page. Showcase your projects and your skills. Pick up endorsements, get letters or recommendation from your Professors or folks you have worked with. Never ever give up. Keep learning new skills and areas you like (like project management, interpersonal skills, handling objections, listening skills and many others). When you build your confidence you will feel great. Learn a foreign language (like Spanish or French). Speak in front of a mirror. Approach your job search methodically, find references who can help you reach the right people.
What general advice would you give to a Scrum Master?
Craig Lee Ph.D.: Recognize there is a glut of work/opportunity at present... this is a boom time; however, expect a cyclical retraction (bust) in due course. Once you land a position, do your best to learn it well and to become a hardworking, conscientious member of your team/organization. That will help you weather market fluctuations, lead to retention, and even promotion when/if downsizing occurs.
What Scrum Master skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anil Agarwal: How can you maximize your salary potential when starting your career in your field?
Maximizing your Salary potential : Be a specialist in one or two fields for example if you do sales well , then shine in that and get results. If you are finance guy be an expert , know everything there is to know about Finance or Accounting or HR or Economics and be the best at it. Prove to your superiors that you can deliver results and then ask or even demand a raise or leverage your pay plan with pay for performance bonus. Keep learning new skills in your area or another area so you can become a works cross culturally in different fields.
The only way to increase your salary potential is to dedicate yourself to your job 200% , Prove to yourself you can make it happen and then get the salary you want to strike out on your own.
Laura Boman Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of MarketingKennesaw State University
International Business
What general advice would you give to a Scrum Master?
Laura Boman Ph.D.: Maximizing your salary potential as you start your career involves several key strategies. Prior to beginning a job hunt, research market rates to understand the typical compensation range for your desired role and industry. When negotiating, confidently advocate for yourself by highlighting your skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. Emphasize the value you bring to the organization and be prepared to make a compelling case for why you deserve a higher salary within the market range. Additionally, consider the total compensation package, including benefits like bonuses, stock options, and professional development opportunities, which can significantly enhance your overall compensation. Investing in skills development and seeking opportunities in high-paying industries can also boost your earning potential. Remaining flexible in terms of job requirements, location, and industry can open up more lucrative opportunities. Networking with professionals and staying informed about market trends will further empower you to negotiate effectively and maximize your salary potential as you embark on your career journey.
What Scrum Master skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Coupland: Anticipate what is needed and demonstrate your worth.
Jason Caudill Ph.D.
Professor of BusinessKing University
Management Information Systems
What hard/technical skills are most important for Scrum Masters?
Jason Caudill Ph.D.: The number one technical skill for today's professionals is the ability to learn new systems. Regardless of expertise in a particular platform, there are going to be updates and changes, and different companies will likely be on different major platforms to perform the same functions. A strong foundation of technical skills in communications software, spreadsheets, and cloud applications will give someone the foundation they need to function in most modern workplaces, but the real skill is being able to translate that understanding of the architecture to multiple platforms so they can manage change.
What skills will help Scrum Masters earn the most?
Jason Caudill Ph.D.: I think the two most profitable skills will be communication and adaptability. Almost nothing happens in a vacuum, so to be successful, today's professionals have to be able to effectively collaborate with others in various departments and in other organizations. That can only happen with effective communication skills. Coupled with that is the fact that dynamic markets, shorter product lifespans, and longer careers are demanding that people change their skill sets and adapt to different markets more than they ever have before. The professional who can continuously adapt to the demands of the market, who is willing to add new skills over time as a lifelong learner, will be the most prepared to offer continued value to a company, which will result in higher earnings.
What experience really stands out on Scrum Master resumes?
David Preece: Most employers look for indicators of character and "soft skills" related to leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, initiative, diligence, responsibility, and integrity. Naturally, each company and job position requires some minimal technical or functional capabilities, but many of those skills can be taught to new employees with strong potential. Character is more difficult, if not impossible, to develop in entry-level employees, and these soft skills are proven to impact organizational culture and productivity.