ITIL vs ITIL MP
ITIL 4 Foundation and ITIL 4 Managing Professional compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
ITIL leads on market demand (3,980 vs 40 US job postings), while ITIL MPleads on average salary ($130,000). ITIL is the more accessible starting point at 2/5 difficulty versus 4/5 for ITIL MP.
Side-by-Side Data
| ITIL | ITIL MP | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 3,980leads | 40 |
| Market Share | 0.07% | 0.00% |
| Demand Trend | Rising | Stable |
| Avg Salary | $98,000 | $130,000leads |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 2 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $600-$750 | $400-600 per module |
| Study Time | 20-40 hours | 40-60 hours per module |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
ITIL
ITIL 4 Foundation
PeopleCert's IT service management certification covering the Service Value System, guiding principles, and four dimensions of service management. The 60-minute exam has 40 questions requiring 26/40 (65%) to pass.
ITIL MP
ITIL 4 Managing Professional
ITIL 4's advanced practitioner stream requiring four modules: Create/Deliver/Support, Drive Stakeholder Value, High Velocity IT, and Direct/Plan/Improve. Each exam is 90 minutes. Requires ITIL 4 Foundation prerequisite. Certificates valid 3 years. Delivered through PeopleCert.
ITIL vs ITIL MP: FAQ
Which pays more, ITIL or ITIL MP?+
ITIL MP is associated with the higher average salary: about $130,000 vs $98,000 for ITIL, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, ITIL or ITIL MP?+
ITIL currently appears in 3,980 US job postings versus 40 for ITIL MP — roughly 99.5× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is ITIL MP harder than ITIL?+
Generally yes: we rate ITIL MP 4/5 difficulty versus 2/5 for ITIL, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both ITIL and ITIL MP?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with ITIL (2/5 difficulty) and progressing to ITIL MP. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.