Here is a list of the top 10 highest paying IT certifications for tech professionals, based on data from various sources such as Payscale and Global Knowledge:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Certified DevOps Engineer (CDE)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
It’s important to note that salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, industry, and experience. However, certifications can often help demonstrate expertise and increase earning potential in the field.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a highly respected and sought-after certification in the field of information security. The CISSP certification is globally recognized and demonstrates that an individual has a comprehensive understanding of information security, including topics such as cryptography, network security, security management practices, and security architecture and design.
To become CISSP certified, individuals must pass a rigorous exam and have at least five years of experience in two or more of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains. The CISSP certification is maintained through the completion of continuing professional education credits every three years.
Holding a CISSP certification can demonstrate an individual’s expertise in information security and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with CISSP certification is around $120,000 per year.
Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) is a professional certification offered by ISACA, a non-profit organization that provides globally recognized certification and education in the field of information systems and cybersecurity. The CGEIT certification focuses on the governance and management of enterprise information technology (IT) and is designed for individuals who have a strong background in IT governance and management.
To become CGEIT certified, individuals must pass a rigorous exam and have at least five years of experience in IT governance. The CGEIT certification is maintained through the completion of continuing professional education credits every three years.
Holding a CGEIT certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in IT governance and management and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with CGEIT certification is around $120,000 per year.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) for project managers. It is designed to demonstrate a project manager’s knowledge, experience, and competence in leading and directing projects.
The PMP certification requires a minimum of 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education, or a bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.
Once certified, PMP holders are expected to adhere to PMI’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. They are also required to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years to maintain their PMP certification.
Holding a PMP certification can increase a project manager’s marketability and earning potential, and it also indicates that they have a strong understanding of project management principles and methodology as outlined in PMI’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
According to data from the Project Management Institute (PMI), PMP certified project managers in the United States have a median salary of $111,000, while those without a PMP certification have a median salary of $90,000.
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification offered by the Scrum Alliance, a non-profit organization that provides training, certification, and resources for the Agile methodology. The CSM certification demonstrates that an individual has a comprehensive understanding of Scrum, an Agile framework for project management and product delivery.
To become CSM certified, individuals must attend a Scrum Alliance-approved training course and pass an assessment. The CSM certification is maintained through the completion of continuing education and involvement in the Scrum community.
Holding a CSM certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in Scrum and Agile project management and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with CSM certification is around $92,000 per year.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a professional certification offered by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council), a globally recognized organization in the field of information security. The CEH certification demonstrates that an individual has a comprehensive understanding of ethical hacking and the skills to identify and mitigate potential security threats.
To become CEH certified, individuals must pass a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of ethical hacking methodologies, tools, and techniques. The CEH certification is maintained through the completion of continuing professional education credits every three years.
Holding a CEH certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in ethical hacking and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with CEH certification is around $90,000 per year.
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a professional certification offered by ISACA, a non-profit organization that provides globally recognized certification and education in the field of information systems and cybersecurity. The CISA certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in information systems auditing, control, and security.
To become CISA certified, individuals must pass a rigorous exam and have at least five years of experience in information systems auditing, control, or security. The CISA certification is maintained through the completion of continuing professional education credits every three years.
Holding a CISA certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in information systems auditing and security and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with CISA certification is around $102,000 per year.
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a professional certification offered by ISACA, a non-profit organization that provides globally recognized certification and education in the field of information systems and cybersecurity. The CRISC certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in managing and mitigating IT risks.
To become CRISC certified, individuals must pass a rigorous exam and have at least three years of experience in information systems and risk management. The CRISC certification is maintained through the completion of continuing professional education credits every three years.
Holding a CRISC certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in managing and mitigating IT risks and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with CRISC certification is around $119,000 per year.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is a professional certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading provider of cloud computing services. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing and deploying scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on the AWS platform.
To become AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certified, individuals must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of AWS services and architecture best practices. The certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by passing the updated exam or by earning an Associate-level certification in a different AWS certification track.
Holding the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in cloud computing and the AWS platform and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is around $120,000 per year.
Certified DevOps Engineer (CDE)
Certified DevOps Engineer (CDE) is a professional certification offered by the DevOps Institute, a global organization that provides training, certification, and resources for the DevOps methodology. The CDE certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the principles and practices of DevOps, a set of software development practices that emphasizes collaboration and communication between development and operations teams.
To become CDE certified, individuals must pass a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of DevOps methodologies, tools, and techniques. The CDE certification is maintained through the completion of continuing professional education credits every three years.
Holding a CDE certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in DevOps and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with CDE certification is around $120,000 per year.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert is a professional certification offered by Microsoft, a leading technology company that provides software and services. The Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing and implementing solutions on the Microsoft Azure platform.
To become Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certified, individuals must pass two exams that test their knowledge of Azure technologies, including design and deployment of scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems. The certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by passing the updated exams or by earning a certification in a different Microsoft certification track.
Holding the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the Microsoft Azure platform and can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. According to Payscale, the average salary for an individual with Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is around $120,000 per year.
