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Many factors matter when choosing an IT certification, such as relevance to one’s current and future career path, experience, and prerequisites. And oh yeah, there’s a question of money, too. No, we are not suggesting that money is the most important consideration. But it certainly matters. After all, it is certainly more financially and personally rewarding to be essential and in-demand (though perhaps not always -- just ask as Maurice from Sysadminotaur!).
To help you explore and plan your certification plan, here is a list of the highest paying IT certifications in 2024 (per research by PCMagazine.com and figures published by the various certifying organizations). We also provide a summary of each certification, and note the prerequisites.
10. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Average annual salary: $156,699 (all figures USD)
Certifying organization: International Information System Security Certification Consortium/(ISC)²
About: Earning the CISSP proves that an individual has what it takes to effectively design, implement, and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.
Prerequisites: Candidates must have 5+ years of cumulative full-time experience in at least 2 of the 8 domains in the current CISSP exam outline, which include: Security and Risk Management; Asset Security; Security Architecture and Engineering; Communication and Network Security; Identity and Access Management (IAM); Security Assessment and Testing; Security Operations; and Software Development Security. Having a post-secondary degree (bachelors or masters) in computer science, information technology (IT), or related fields may satisfy up to 1 year of the required experience. Part-time work and internships may also count towards the experience requirement.
Learn more about obtaining CISSP certification.
9. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
Average annual salary: $160,052
Certifying organization: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
About: This certification is focused on the design of cost and performance optimized solutions. It is an ideal starting point for candidates with AWS Cloud or strong on-premises IT experience.
Prerequisites: The recommended experience prior to taking this exam is 1+ year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions that use AWS services. However, candidates with 1-3 years of IT experience have been able to prepare for and earn this certification as a starting point on their AWS Cloud learning and certification journey. In addition, while deep hands-on coding experience is not required, familiarity with basic programming concepts is an advantage.
Learn more about obtaining AWS Certified Architect – Associate certification.
8. Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
Average annual salary: $161,075
Certifying organization: Google
About: Earning Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer certification validates an individual’s ability to deploy and secure applications, services, and infrastructure; monitor operations of multiple projects; and maintain enterprise solutions to ensure that they meet target performance metrics. They are able to perform common platform-based tasks to maintain and scale one or more deployed solutions that leverage Google-managed or self-managed services on Google Cloud.
Prerequisites: No verified professional experience is required to take the exam. However, at least 6 months of hands-on experience with Google Cloud is recommended.
Learn more about obtaining Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer certification.
7. Google Cloud Professional Cloud Database Engineer
Average annual salary: $163,193
Certifying organization: Google
About: Earning Google Cloud Professional Cloud Database Engineer certification validates an individual’s ability to design, create, manage, and troubleshoot Google Cloud databases used by applications to store and retrieve data. These specialists are also capable of translating business and technical requirements into scalable and cost-effective database solutions.
Prerequisites: No formal experience is required to take the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Database Engineer certification exam. However, candidates are strongly recommended to have at least 2 years of Google Cloud experience, and at least 5 years of overall database and IT experience.
Learn more about obtaining Google Cloud Professional Cloud Database Engineer certification.
6. AWS Certified Security – Specialty
Average annual salary: $166,449
Certifying organization: AWS
About: Individuals who earn AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification have validated their expertise in creating and implementing security solutions in the AWS Cloud. This certification also validates an understanding of specialized data classifications and AWS data protection mechanisms; data-encryption methods and AWS mechanisms to implement them; and secure internet protocols and AWS mechanisms to implement them. This certification complements the skills and expertise required for multiple job roles across cloud architecture, database, networking, and DevSecOps.
Prerequisites: Candidates need at least 5 years of IT security experience in designing and implementing security solutions, and at least 2 years of hands-on experience in securing AWS workloads.
Learn more about AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification.
5. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Average annual salary: $167,396
Certifying organization: Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
About: Individuals who earn CISM certification have validated their ability to assess risks, implement effective governance, and proactively respond to incidents. They also have the skillset to meet evolving security threats and industry requirements, including those related to emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain.
Prerequisites: Candidates must have at least 5 years of professional work experience across at 3 of the 4 CISM domains: Information Security Governance; Information Security Risk Management; Information Security Program; and Incident Management.
Learn more about obtaining CISM certification.
4. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Average annual salary: $174,137
Certifying organization: AWS
About: Individuals who earn AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification have validated their advanced knowledge and skills in providing complex solutions to complex problems; optimizing security, cost, and performance; and automating manual processes. This certification is a means for employers to identify and develop talent with these critical skills for implementing cloud initiatives.
Prerequisites: While there is no formal experience requirement, candidates are strongly recommended to have at least 2 years of hands-on experience designing and deploying cloud architecture on AWS. Candidates who lack this experience should instead pursue AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification (see #9 on this list). After developing a foundation of knowledge and experience with AWS services and concepts and experience, they can focus on achieving AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification.
Learn more about obtaining AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification.
3. Project Management Professional (PMP)
Average annual salary: $176,116
Certifying organization: Project Management Institute (PMI)
About: Individuals who earn PMP certification have validated their high-level skills in: motivating people and teams through all phases of a successful project; using predictive, agile and hybrid approaches to determine which way of working is best for each project; highlighting the success of a project and its impact on overall strategic organizational goals.
Prerequisites: Candidates must meet either of the following certification requirements:
- 4-year college or university degree; at least 3 years of experience leading projects within the past 8 years; and at least 35 hours of project management education or Certified Associate in Project Management certification; or:
- A high school or secondary school diploma; at least 5 years of experience leading projects within the past 8 years; and at least 35 hours of project management education or Certified Associate in Project Management certification.
Learn more about obtaining PMP certification.
2. Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer
Average annual salary: $193,621
Certifying organization: Google
About: Individuals who earn Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer certification have validated their ability to make data usable and valuable for others by collecting, transforming, and publishing data. They also have the proven ability to evaluate and select products and services to meet business and regulatory requirements, as well as design, build, deploy, monitor, maintain, and secure data processing workloads and manage robust data processing systems.
Prerequisites: There is no formal experience requirement for taking the Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer certification exam. However, candidates are strongly urged to have at least 3 years of industry experience, including at least 1 year of experience designing and managing solutions using Google Cloud.
Learn more about Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer certification.
1. Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
Average annual salary: $200,960
Certifying organization: Google
About: Individuals who earn Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification have validated their ability to lead organizations in leveraging Google Cloud technologies. They have a thorough understanding of cloud architecture and Google Cloud, and use this experience, knowledge, and skillset to design, develop, and manage robust, secure, scalable, highly available, and dynamic solutions to drive business objectives.
Prerequisites: As with the other Google Cloud certifications on our list (see #8, #7, and #2), there is no formal experience required to take the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification exam. However, candidates should be warned that the exam is widely considered to be quite challenging. Candidates are urged to have at least 5 years of overall database and IT experience, and at least 2 of those years should include hands-on experience working with Google Cloud database solutions.
Learn more about Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification.
Final Thoughts
Reputable and recognized certifications play an important role for both specialists who want to verify their experience, knowledge, and skillset, and employers who want to ensure that they are hiring capable professionals. Indeed, “fake it until you make it” may work (at least for a little while…) in some industries and fields, but in the IT world it doesn’t take long for incompetence, ignorance, and indifference to show up and wreak havoc.
However, we feel that it is also important to point out that certification is an absolute guarantee that an individual is qualified and experienced, or has the ability to work well with others — including folks outside of the IT world. And in the big picture, it is even more important for an IT professional to have an open mind and constantly learn — because things are always changing; sometimes for the better and, alas, sometimes for the worse (such as when we are looking at alarming cybersecurity risks and threats).
What’s Your View?
And now, let us turn the stage and spotlight over to YOU. Do you have — or plan to obtain — any of the certifications in the list above? What about certifications that didn’t make the list? And what is your overall opinion and experience regarding IT certifications? Please share your views and advice (and maybe some warnings if you wish!) with the community.
