If you are looking to grow your career, the highest-paying certifications should be on your list. It is a cliché to say that you must have at least one certification to improve your career in IT. Instead, you should focus on the credentials you need to increase your earning potential by 2020. Recent developments in the IT sector have revealed that cybersecurity and Cloud computing is the most important technical areas that every organization should be paying attention to. This is a great opportunity for professionals looking to improve their careers and increase their income. This blog post will discuss the top 10 high-paying certificates you can use to make a significant career shift.
1. GCP – Cloud Architect
Google Certified Professional (GCP – Cloud Architect) was launched in 2017. It is one of the most lucrative certifications in Information Technology. It validates your ability develop, design, manage, and maintain a secure, reliable, and scalable Cloud architecture. As companies seek qualified people to fill their Cloud computing jobs, the skills gained through this Google credential are highly sought after. An average salary for a certified Cloud architect is $160,000 annually. To earn this certificate, you must pass the prerequisite exam.
2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
This certification is a top-rated, non-degree-granting certification that any specialist can obtain. This credential validates your knowledge and skills for designing and deploying scalable systems on AWS. This Amazon certificate is for professionals who develop and deploy Cloud infrastructure. It requires that the individual pass the required exam and become an AWS Certified Practitioner to obtain it. The average annual salary for holders of this certification is $149,000.
3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
This credential is part of the 2020 list of high-paying certifications. It earns an average of $148,000 per year. The CISM credential demonstrates that the candidates have the knowledge and ability to manage, design, assess, or manage information security in an enterprise. This certificate is an excellent step towards becoming a security manager for professionals in security technology. The CISM certification demonstrates that you have the advanced level of competence and qualifications required to assume high-level leadership and management roles. Candidates must also be competent in information security governance, incident management, and management of information security programs & policies.
4. Project Management Professional (PMP).
This credential is for project managers and is one of the most prestigious in the industry. It provides professionals with the knowledge and experience necessary to plan, execute, manage, and effectively manage projects. This certificate is key to determining the type of project management responsibility that will be entrusted. The average salary for certified experts is $143,000 per year. An examinee must pass one test and have previous experience in project management to earn the PMI credential.
5. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
This certification is a quick way to increase your career potential. It validates years of expertise and experience in cybersecurity. The CISSP is comparable to a Master’s in IT security. Certified professionals are able to manage, design, and implement advanced cybersecurity programs. This credential can help you earn an average of $141,000 per year. There are certain requirements you must meet before you can obtain this credential. You must have at least five years of relevant, paid work experience in at minimum two of the eight domains covered by CISSP. These include asset security, security & risks management, software development security and communication & network security. Security operations, identity & acces management, security assessment & test, as well security architecture & engineering.
6. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
This certificate, which has been in existence since 1978, is one of the oldest in the IT industry. It is a certificate that validates one’s knowledge and skills in cybersecurity, audit, risk, and other related areas. The exam covers five domains and must be passed to obtain this credential. The average income of professionals with CISA is $132,000 per year.
7. VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization
This certification certifies that the candidates have the required skills and knowledge.