Those within the IT profession acquire certifications for several reasons. For instance, employees may want to keep up with developing technologies or gain a promotion to a new position. For the vast majority, an investment into obtaining a leading IT certification leads to an immediate increase in pay that reflects their newly acquired skill set and capabilities.
You’re likely no different. After all, those in similar IT positions without a certification can expect to earn less than their certified counterparts. With that in mind, let’s take a look at which precise certifications reflect the highest salaries.
What Are the Top 15 Highest-Paying IT Certifications?
Without further ado, here are the top 15 IT certifications ranked in order of average earnings, in descending order:
- Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect — $175,761
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate — $149,446
- CISM – Certified Information Security Manager — $148,622
- CRISC – Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control — $146,480
- PMP® – Project Management Professional — $143,493
- CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional — $141,452
- CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor — $132,278
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner — $131,465
- VCP6-DCV: VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization — $130,226
- ITIL® Foundation — $129,402
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals — $126,653
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate — $125,993
- CCA-N: Citrix Certified Associate – Networking — $125,264
- CCNP Routing and Switching — $119,178
- CCP-V: Citrix Certified Professional – Virtualization — $117,069
Google Takes Spot Spot Once Again
As was the case in 2019, Google’s Certified Professional Cloud Architect takes the top spot with a fairly sizeable $26,000 gap to the next best earner; the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification. Yet despite having six other available certifications, none of Google’s other IT certifications make it into the top 15 in terms of average salary.
Google has been gradually expanding its customer base when it comes to their cloud technology. Although still comfortably behind market leaders such as AWS and Azure, the higher earnings reflect the increasing attention Google is getting as a cloud services provider.
Microsoft Azure Enters List for the First Time
Many with the cloud industry view Microsoft’s Azure cloud services as the only serious challenger to AWS at this moment in time. That’s why, up until now, the omission of their certifications from this list has been glaring.
However, 2020 sees both Azure Fundamentals and Azure Administrator Associate enter the list for the first time, marking perhaps a fairer reflection of the industry as a whole. While Azure Fundamentals is aimed at professionals with a non-technical background, Azure Administrator Associate is a fundamental requirement for a number of roles, making it the most sought-after Microsoft certification.
AWS Certifications Continue to Climb in Earning Power
This year’s list solidifies yet another consecutive year for at least two AWS certifications to take up positions within this list. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate qualification, in particular, has jumped up two places on last year, indicating it may close that noticeable salary gap to Google in the 2021 rankings.
The list also demonstrates that the value of both AWS certifications continues to rise well above average wage growth and inflation rates. The two highest-paying AWS certifications today have an average salary of $140,456, representing a $14,865 jump compared to the average annual salary of the five highest-paying AWS certifications of 2018 of $125,591. These figures prove that those with an AWS qualification continue to reap residual rewards long after becoming certified.
Study for Your Next AWS Certification with IaaS Academy
If you’re interested in advancing your career and earning potential with an AWS certification, there’s no time like the present. IaaS Academy can help you to achieve your goal of becoming AWS-certified by providing you with expert tutelage through our best-in-class AWS-courses and practice exams.
We have a wide range of on-demand training courses and practice exam materials that ensure you receive the best possible preparation for the exam whilst allowing you to learn at your own pace.
If you have any questions regarding our courses or other learning materials, don’t hesitate to contact our team who will be more than happy to help.
