Certification is a way for professionals to improve their skills within their working sector through conducting examinations and continuing education. It is also one of the best ways for employers to see how a potential employee will perform on the job.
It is no secret that to earn more as a professional, you need to earn relevant certification in your working sector. Certification not only allows you to earn more but also shows your professional growth. Getting certified is a big investment in the future of any serious professional.
In this article, we will list some of the best and highest-paying certifications you should check out if you want to grow professionally and earn more.
Best highest paying certifications
Below are some of the best and highest-paying certifications right now. These certifications are capable of improving your skills and your salary.
- Google Certified Professional Data Engineer:
Google certified professional data engineer is one of the best highest paying certifications right now. This certification enables the holder to earn up to $171,749.
Data engineers are needed now more than ever and they are one of the best paid in the industry. They design, operate, build, monitor, and protect data processing systems that center on compliance and security.
Data engineers are also responsible for analyzing information to receive insight into business outcomes and building machine learning models to make crucial business processes easier and automatic.
To get this certification, you must pass the Google certified professional – data engineering exam.
- Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect:
Google certified professional cloud architect is another certification offered by Google that enables its holders to earn highly. Holders of the Google certified professional cloud architect can earn up to $169,000 yearly.
This certification shows that the holder can develop, manage, and design the secure, expansive, and dependable cloud architecture using the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Getting this certification can open doors for its holders because cloud skills are needed in almost all institutions and will continue to be important in the future.
The certificate is valid for only 2 years, but you can revalidate it to keep the certification valid after its validity expires. To get this certification, you need to pass the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam. This 2-hour exam costs $200 to register.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect:
Acquiring the AWS Certified Solutions Architects-Associates certification will enable you to earn up to $159,033 yearly. It also shows that you can implement and design distributed systems on AWS.
The Amazon Web Services certified solutions is one of the best highest paying certifications right now and the most coveted cloud computing certification globally.
It offered courses to those who want to be trained as cloud architects and learn the essential parts of the Amazon Web Services (AWS). Once you are done with the course, you will take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C02) exam. If you pass the exam, you will be certified.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP):
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is another highly profitable certification you should look into. Holders of this certification can earn up to $135,000 yearly. This is very profitable because of the rarity of experienced professionals.
This certification is best for those who are already in auditing, analytics, and system engineering and want to gain more experience and increase their take-home pay.Holders of this certification are experts in information security and are normally responsible for deciding the comprehensive security aspects of an IT organization’s management, control, and architecture.
It is also compared to getting a master’s degree in IT security because its holders can successfully manage, implement and design a cyber-security program.CISSP certification is the most sought-after security certification on LinkedIn. It was first launched in 1994.
To achieve this certification, you need to pass the exam.Candidates are evaluated in eight areas of computer security which are 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.Candidates need to have at least 5 years of paid, applicable work experience in two or more of the CiSSP domains to get certified.
Please note that you will be required to receive continuous professional (CPE) education yearly to keep your certification. If you do not have the 5 years of experience required to be certified, you can become an Associate of (ISC)² Associate by passing the exam while you work towards the full certification.
However, you will have up to six years to obtain the required experience to get your CISSP. If you pass the (ISC)² exam.
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE):
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert provides an earning edge for its holders. This certification is one of the best and highest paying for IT professionals. It proves the ability of the holder to configure and manage computer systems. You can earn up to $134,000 yearly with Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).
- Project Management Professional (PMP):
The Project Management Institute (PMI®) Project Management Professional (PMP) is one of the best project management accreditations. Holders of this certification can earn up to $112,000 yearly. Professionals with this certification are said to earn 25% more than those without this certification.
Before applying for the Project Management Professional, you must meet the requirements below.
- You must have at least 36 months (three years) of experience in leading projects.
- You must have 35 hours of project management training/education or CAPM certification.
- You should have a four-year degree.
If you don’t have the above requirements, you should apply the requirements below
- 60 months (5 years) of leading projects.
- A 35-hour of project management.
- training/education or CAPM.
- An associate degree ( or something globally equal ) or a high school diploma.
- CISM – Certified Information Security Manager:
ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an important certification for professionals who are pursuing leadership positions in IT. It is also one of the best and highest-paying certifications right now.
Holders of this certification can manage, assess and design a business’s information security. Plus shows that the holder has remarkable technical qualifications and competence for management and leadership roles.
They can earn up to $149,246 yearly. To earn CISM certification, you must meet the real-life experience requirement and pass the CISM exam, which covers four areas: Information Security Governance, Information Risk Management, Information Security Program Development and Management, and Information Security Incident Management.Candidates also need to have at least 5 years of paid, applicable work experience in two or more of the CISSP domains.
They also need to maintain their certification by completing 20 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) and adherence to the code of ethics yearly.If you do not meet all the requirements, you can take the certification exam. However, you will have up to six years to get the required experience.
- CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor:
Certified Information Systems Auditor is one the best highest paying certifications you can find today. Its holders can earn up to $134,460 yearly.
This certification proves that the holder can help businesses implement policies that secure critical business capital.
To get this certification, you must pass the CISA exam, which consists of five areas: Auditing Information Systems, Governance and Management of IT, Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation, Information Systems Operation, Maintenance, and Service Management,and Protection of Information Assets.
To further qualify for this certification, you need to have a full experience in the CISA domains and have passed the CISA exam in the last five years and you have to pay a $50 application processing fee when applying for this certification.
Please note that you need to complete 20 hours of continuing professional education ( CPE) yearly, and pay the yearly CISA maintenance fee of $45 for members and $85 for non-members.
You also need to obey the CISA code of professional ethics and the annual CPE audit if needed.
- AWS Certified Cloud Practioner – Associate:
The AWS Certified cloud practitioner is another sought-after certification that enables its holders to earn more. This certification is perfect for those who have one or more years of first-hand experience developing and maintaining an AWS-based application.
They are also knowledgeable in AWS Cloud and its primary architectural principles, value proposition, crucial services, security and compliance aspects, infrastructure, billing, account management, documentation, technical assistance, deployment, pricing models, and operations.
Holders of this certification can earn up to $131,500 yearly.
To get this certification, you need at least six months of first-hand experience with one or more programming languages and AWS.
- VCP-DVC – VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization:
The VCP-DCV certification proves that the holder can manage, implement and troubleshoot a vSphere infrastructure. You can earn up to $132,947 yearly with this certification.
To earn this certification, you need to attend at least one course provided by an authorized training reseller or provider. Plus six months of experience working with the latest version of vSphere.
Conclusion
Getting a certification is capable of transporting your career to a whole new level as well as your yearly income. We hope that you found this article on the best highest-paying certifications helpful. If you are looking for a sign to get a certification, this is one.
