CSM vs other certs in this field — is it worth it salary-wise?

Trying to decide whether getting my CSM - Certified ScrumMaster is worth the time and money investment. I've been doing research on "csm gold" and the salary data is all over the place.

Some sources say it adds $5-8k/year on average, others suggest it's more of a requirement to even get considered for certain roles now rather than a pay bump.

Has anyone here seen a direct salary impact from getting CSM certified? Or is it more of a "required to apply" thing in your industry now?

Also — how long did the whole process take from starting to study to passing? And what was the exam fee in your state/country?

Trying to do a real cost-benefit before I commit 4-6 months to this.