A 2018 study by Global Knowledge surveyed over 16,000 IT professionals to learn about their salary and skills. The study found that skills are a global concern, an issue which leads to higher levels of stress, delays in development, and loss of revenue. Apparently, there is a major gap between a team’s skill levels and the knowledge required to achieve organizational objectives.
The study also found that IT professionals hold IT certifications in high regard as they can bring a number of benefits. Some of the benefits include increased productivity, faster troubleshooting, fewer skills gap, and higher salaries.
If you’re looking to pave your way into the tech sector, the study proves that getting certified is a surefire way to achieve this. Your best bet for a better career and a higher salary is to validate your skills and knowledge through a number of carefully chosen certifications.
Here is a list of 10 best IT certifications to launch your career, whether you just graduated or need to make a career change.
Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
Those who obtain the CGEIT certificate can hold many different roles, including:
- Risk Management Officer
- IT Risk Leader
- Assistant IT Controller
This IT certification course is highly lucrative, and those with the certification earn an average of $121,363 per year. The test comprises 150 multiple choice questions and professionals have 4 hours to complete it. Since 2017, the CGEIT exam has been offered via computer-based testing for the price of $575 for members, and $760 for non-members.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Certification is one of the must-have certificates for any IT professional. Those who obtain the certificate will be in high demand by many employers and can get a superior salary of more than $100,000. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate-level exam shows an individual’s knowledge in designing and deploying scalable systems on AWS.
The exam comprises multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions, professionals have 130 minutes to complete it, and the registration fee is $150.
In order to get certified, interested individuals must have one year of hands-on experience with AWS. The exam is computer-based and offered at PSI testing centers.
AWS Certified Developer – Associate
The AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam is created for IT individuals who perform a Developer role. The certificate demonstrates an individual’s understanding of:
- core AWS systems
- basic AWS architecture
- AWS best practices
- proficiency in developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS
In order to get certified, interested individuals must have one year of hands-on experience with AWS and knowledge of one or more programming languages. The exam is computer-based and offered at PSI testing centers. The average salary for those holding an AWS certification is more than $100,000.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing & Switching
The CCNA Routing and Switching certification prepares individuals with the knowledge of foundational technologies and ensures them they stay relevant with skill sets needed for the adoption of next-generation technologies.
To take the exam, interested individuals should have at least one year of networking experience and the ability to work independently on complex network solutions. Moreover, they need to have achieved CCNA Routing and Switching and that they pass three exams, for routing, switching, and troubleshooting.
The certification exam covers:
- networks
- infrastructure
- IT concepts and terminology
- applications and software
- security
- database fundamentals
- software development
CCNP certifications pay an average salary of $99,402.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) – Server Infrastructure
The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification demonstrates that the examinee has the skills to run modern server networks, data centers, and mainframes. It also validates their expertise in identity management, systems management, virtualization, and backup recovery, among others.
This is a great IT certification course for beginners and professionals alike. To earn an MCSE, the individual must first possess one of four MCSA certifications: Windows Server 2016, Cloud Platform, Linux on Azure, or Windows Server 2012, and then pass one of several elective exams.
The exam is one of the top-paying IT certifications, with an average salary of $100,656.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Recent research found that there’s a significant shortage of skilled security professionals in the U.S. For this reason, earning the CISSP certification can be a sure way to boosting your career and making a six-digit salary.
The CISSP certification validates that those who pass it can effectively design, implement, and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program. The CISSP is ideal for:
- Chief Information Security Officers
- Chief Information Officers
- Directors of Security
- Security Analysts
- IT Directors/Managers
- Security Systems Engineers
- Security Managers
The exam is six hours long and includes a combination of multiple-choice and advanced innovative questions. It costs $699.
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification demonstrates an individual’s skills in information system control and risk management. In order to get certified, the candidate must have at least three years of relevant work experience.
Since 2017, the exam is computer-based, available during three testing windows per year. Due to the high demand for professionals with these skills and the small number of people who have them, CRISC is one of the highest-paying certifications. The average salary of CRISC professionals is $111,049.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) designs and develops the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification. This IT certification course validates the individual’s expertise in developing, managing, and implementing an information security program for an organization.
The certification is ideal for any student looking to gain CISM skills, and for any IT security and information security professional who is looking to build on their practical experience.
In order to get certified, candidates need to have at least five years of working experience in a relevant sector. Moreover, they need to have experience with risk management, information security governance, and incident management.
The exam is computer-based, available during three testing windows per year. As this is a highly sought-after area with a small supply of certified individuals, the average salary is $108,043.
Project Management Professional (PMP®)
The Project Management Professional certification validates the candidate’s experience, education, and skills to lead and direct projects.
The certification can provide significant benefits to both employees and employers. For employees, it can boost their earning potential. Those with a PMP certification earn an average of $114,473. For employers, it means that the organization will meet its original goals on time and on budget.
Those who want to get certified must have 35 hours of PMP training. Candidates who have less than a bachelor’s degree must have 7,500 hours of project management experience, while those with a bachelor’s degree need 4,500 hours.
Certified ScrumMaster
The Certified ScrumMaster is a popular project management certification. It’s appropriate for managers, programmers, Scrum Masters, product owners, testers, analysts, and product managers.
This IT certification course brings a number of benefits to IT individuals, including:
- An expansion of their career opportunities.
- Core Scrum knowledge.
- A significant increase in salary.
- An opportunity to engage with Scrum practitioners around the world.
In order to obtain the certificate, interested individuals must attend an in-person, two-day CSM course, taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer. After the course, all participants must pass the exam by answering at least 24 of 35 questions correctly.
Additional Reading: Recruitment Tips for Hiring the Best IT Talent
