20+ Top-Paying IT Certifications Going Into 2025

Nearly all IT leaders agree that certified staff add value to their organizations, with most saying in excess of $30,000 a year. And when you consider the monetary costs of preparing for and sitting the exam, the payback is quite substantive, especially how those returns show up for the organization. 

Most often, leaders notice an uptick in productivity as those employees who earn certifications feel energized and more engaged at work. But certifications make a difference in other ways too. 

Shorter resolution times, projects move faster, deployments are smoother, and employee retention edges up as well. This is all according to recent findings from Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary survey, which has collected data about certifications and their value to individuals and organizations for nearly two decades. The survey also informs a comprehensive report you can find here, with a new volume releasing soon. Subscribe to the blog for updates on its release. 

This year, we examined the reported salaries of individuals around the world to find the highest-paying certifications in the IT industry. 

This list is the result of thousands of IT professionals graciously participating in the survey, which is distributed to technical professionals worldwide by Skillsoft and its partners, including CompTIA, Google Cloud, ISACA, Nutanix, Cisco, Microsoft, and CQURE.

The cumulative results are fascinating insights into the value of skills and certifications. This year in the U.S. alone, more than 2,000 professionals participated in the survey. 

That’s how we’ve arrived at this specific list of the highest paying certifications in the U.S. 

However, you’ll also find the highest-paying certifications worldwide, in Europe and the Middle East, in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions too. 

In these lists, you’ll see similar trends to past years. 

“This year’s list shows that cloud computing skills remain in high demand and can be quite lucrative for tech professionals,” said Greg Fuller, vice president of Codecademy Enterprise. “Overall, the IT job market is characterized by a significant imbalance between supply and demand, which continues to drive salaries higher. Our data suggests that tech professionals skilled in cloud computing, security, data privacy, and risk management, as well as able to handle complex, multi-faceted IT environments, will be well positioned for success.”

However, it’s important to remember salaries are the culmination of several factors, including the ability to apply your skills at work, job role, continuous professional development, tenure, and hard work. 

What’s more, this list also provides a snapshot of the average certification holder, including the average number of certifications held, the most popular cross-certification, if they are in management, and their average age. 

As we compile this list, we look for certifications that have at least 40 survey responses — unless noted otherwise — before considering other factors. To see more about how we collected this data and compiled the list, read the methodology at the end of the post.

Professionals who dedicate the time to earning a certification see it pay off in many ways. Most often, they improve their skills, which then translates to higher quality outcomes that they arrive at faster. With this, they often feel more engaged and confident at work. The survey shows earning a certification has also led to pay raises, promotions and new jobs. 

So, are they worth it? For those looking for any of the above, it's a resounding yes. But, earning a certification takes time, effort, and often money. 

For individuals, it's best to check with your employer to see if training is already offered to earn the certification you're interested in. If it's available, carve out time daily to chip away at the learning journey before attempting the exam. Creating a habit will make the herculean effort feel less overwhelming, and taking advantage of training that's already available should save you from paying extra. Once you've earned the certification, don't forget to add it to your LinkedIn profile and resume too. 

If training isn't available, build a business case for it and keep it simple. (And use our report as back up!) The benefits to individuals are clear, but the same is true for employers. Faster resolution times, a more engaged workforce, and decreased errors all support an organization's overarching mission to create the best possible experience for its customers, patients, employees, stakeholders, and so on. 

Most IT leaders who took Skillsoft's annual survey see the value in both training and certifications too, which means most are already bought in. Leaders say training improves team morale and attrition — both are common issues in the industry — and even helps increase revenue, meet client requirements, and win new business. 

Finally, IT leaders agree certified employees add more value to their organizations than non-certified employees — most often at $30,000 or more a year. Consider that figure against the cost of a prep course (which could range from a couple hundred to many thousands) and exam fees (which are often a couple of hundred dollars or less). The ROI becomes evident quickly.

So, again, are certifications worth it? Yes, we think so.

Below are the top 20 highest-paying technical certifications in the United States, according to responses to the IT Skills and Salary survey. 

If you’re a returning reader, you’ll notice many have graced this list in the past and also a few that made the list for the first time.

1. AWS Certified Security - Specialty averages $203,597
2. Google Cloud - Professional Cloud Architect averages $190,204
3. Nutanix Certified Professional - Multicloud Infrastructure (NCP-MCI) v6.5 averages $175,409
4. CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional averages $171,524
5. CCNP Security averages $168,159
6. CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional averages $168,060
7. CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure averages $166,524
8. CRISC - Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control averages $165,890
9. AWS Certified Developer – Associate averages $165,171
10. CIPP - Certified Information Privacy Professional averages $161,439
11. Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert averages $160,044
12. CISM - Certified Information Security Manager averages $157,189
13. CIPM - Certified Information Privacy Manager averages $155,976
14. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate averages $155,597
15. CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor averages $155,362
16. CGEIT - Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT averages $152,838
17. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate averages $148,849
18. Google Cloud - Associate Cloud Engineer averages $146,533
19. CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker averages $146,260
20. CDPSE - Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer averages $146,033

The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification ranked sixth on this list the past two years. Last year, it commanded an annual salary of $166,449 — roughly 22% less than this year. The year before, it earned professionals $149,741.

Why the steady rise? Findings from the survey may help paint a picture. 

Globally, AWS is the vendor most IT leaders plan to prioritize in the year ahead, just behind Microsoft. What’s more, cybersecurity is among the top skill areas they plan to invest in more. This is because it’s exceedingly tough to hire candidates with the skills they need, according to the survey results. And when asked to assess their team’s security skills, the lion’s share feel ambivalent about their abilities. (AWS also reports job listings that show this certification as a requirement rose 73% from 2021 to 2022.)

All these factors combined make professionals with this certification highly valuable. 

The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification validates the ability to secure data in the AWS cloud and successfully navigate complex security challenges. This certification showcases an individual's proficiency in managing security controls, understanding AWS security services, and handling incident response. It serves as a testament to a candidate’s knowledge and skills in safeguarding AWS environments, highlighting their specialization in cloud security. 

AWS recommends professionals who want to pursue this certification have at least five years of experience in an IT security role, with two years of working knowledge securing AWS workloads. What’s more, those professionals should have strong familiarity with AWS security services, logging and monitoring strategies, cloud security threat models, security operations and risks, and more.

To earn the certification, professionals must pass the exam. The exam costs $300 USD. It’s 65 questions and candidates have 170 minutes to complete it.

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Google Cloud’s Professional Cloud Architect certification has ranked highly on this in the past, often trading places for the top with others like Google Cloud’s Professional Data Engineer certification and comparable credentials from AWS. Last year, it topped the list with an average salary of $200,960. The year before, it ranked third with an average annual salary of $161,371.

Cloud computing is an area that’s as important as it is trying. The technology is widespread by now, adopted by organizations of all kinds worldwide because it’s efficient, cost-effective, and conducive to modern work — whether it’s application development or a personal drive. 

However, it’s still tough to find professionals with the right skill set. While cybersecurity is the toughest area to source talent, cloud computing isn’t far behind (it’s third on the list). Similarly, most in leadership feel their team’s skills could be stronger in this area.  

When a prospective job candidate comes to the table with this certification, recruiters and hiring managers alike feel assured they’ve found someone who can do the job — and many are looking for help with the Google Cloud Platform. The survey shows Google Cloud rounds out the top three priority vendors globally, behind Microsoft and AWS.

This certification validates the holder's proficiency in crafting, managing, and implementing secure, scalable, and reliable cloud solutions using Google Cloud technologies. It signifies an individual's understanding of Google Cloud's infrastructure and services, enabling them to devise and optimize cloud architectures that are efficient, cost-effective, and resilient.

Google recommends professionals have at least three years of experience before sitting the exam, with at least one designing and managing solutions in Google Cloud. There is a $200 USD exam fee, and professionals have two hours to complete the exam. The certification lasts for two years before professionals must recertify. Testing is done online or from a testing center.

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The Nutanix Certified Professional – Multicloud Infrastructure (NCP-MCI) certification has ranked on this list before. Two years ago, it was the eighth highest paying at $147,170. This year, at nearly 20% more, it rounds out the top three and further validates the sustained demand for cloud computing skills. 

More often today, organizations enlist the services from multiple cloud providers to get the best from each. While promising, it can be tricky to manage, which is what Nutanix prides itself on. The company’s cloud platform promises to simplify the management of cloud services. 

As a professional who’s well-versed in such a platform, you’d be a lifesaver to those organizations struggling to operate more efficiently but mired in complex processes and disjointed services. 

Earning this certification proves your abilities to deploy and manage virtual infrastructure components and VMs, perform operational maintenance tasks, and initiate disaster recovery. It’s best suited for those with roughly three years of professional experience, including one working with Nutanix specifically. 

The knowledge objectives: 

• Manage Cluster, Nodes, and Features
• Manage Cluster Storage
• Configure Cluster Networking and Network Security
• Analyze and Remediate Performance Issues
• Configure, Analyze, and Remediate Alerts and Events
• Manage VM Deployment and Configuration

To earn this certification, candidates must pass the exam. It costs $199 USD, spanning 75 questions. Professionals have 120 minutes to complete the exam.

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ISC2’s CCSP certification is an excellent choice for advanced security practitioners who want to earn more credibility at work, validate the versatility of their skill set, and join a respected peer network. 

This certification validates a professional’s ability to apply best practices, as set by the ISC2 community and experts, to secure cloud environments. It also meets the Department of Defense’s 8140 compliance requirements for those who intend to work as a contractor or employee. 

The CCSP exam covers six domains: 

• Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design (17%)
• Cloud Data Security (20%)
• Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security (17%)
• Cloud Application Security (17%)
• Cloud Security Operations (16%)
• Legal, Risk and Compliance (13%)

To officially earn this certification, candidates must have at least five years of professional work experience, including three in security and one year in one of the domains listed above. If you don’t have the experience, you can still pass the exam and become an Associate of ISC2 until you do. 

It costs $599 USD to sit the exam. After passing, you must start the application process, agree to the ISC2 Code of Ethics and pay the annual maintenance fee. 

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A specialist certification from Cisco, the CCNP Security credential covers a range of domains that professionals need to be successful as a network security engineer or security analyst. 

Being CCNP Security certified means you’ve proven your knowledge and skills in security infrastructure. Candidates can identify threats and vulnerabilities, setup and manage firewalls, secure cloud applications, configure various identity and access management features, and more. 

To earn the certification, you must pass two exams: the core and the concentration. The core exam tests candidates’ knowledge of security infrastructure, and it serves as a qualifier for the CCIE Security certification. It costs $400 USD. Candidates have 120 minutes to complete it. 

The concentration exam is — as the name would suggest — more specific, and Cisco offers many exam options to pick from. This allows practitioners the chance to customize the certification to their ideal career trajectory. These cost $300 USD and last up to 90 minutes. The concentration exams:

• Securing Networks with Cisco Firewalls
• Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine
• Securing Email with Cisco Secure Email Gateway
• Securing the Web with Cisco Secure Web Appliance
• Implementing Secure Solutions with Virtual Private Networks
• Automating Cisco Security Solutions
• Designing and Implementing Secure Cloud Access for Users and Endpoints

If you plan to pursue this certification, you can also redeem Cisco Learning Credits, which are prepaid learning vouchers often purchased by an employer. It’s worth checking with your team or learning and development department to check what’s available. 

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ISC2's Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) has been a consistently popular and well-regarded certification in the field, leading to high salaries reflected on this list for years. From 2022 to 2023, the reported annual earnings have stayed fairly consistent. In 2022, professionals reported an average annual salary of $158,191. In 2023, $156,699. 

Earning the CISSP certification has been compared to earning a master’s degree in IT security, as it proves professionals have what it takes to effectively design, implement, and manage a cybersecurity program.

The CISSP exam is based around eight domains in information security:

• 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
• Software Development Security

To achieve this certification, candidates also need at least five years of paid, relevant work experience in two or more of the CISSP domains.

If you lack the necessary experience, you can still take the certification exam and become an Associate of ISC2. Then, you’ll have up to six years to obtain the required experience to earn your CISSP. The exam is $749 USD.

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The CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification validates the skills a network architect or systems engineer should have today while working with enterprise networks. It proves one’s knowledge and skills in designing and managing software-defined networks that are fault-tolerant and scalable; automating tasks to cut costs and reduce errors; routing, switching and multicast; and accounting for security.   

Like other Cisco certifications, you must pass two exams to earn this one: the core and the concentration. The first tests candidate’s knowledge of enterprise infrastructure. It’s called Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies, or 350-401 ENCOR. This one costs $400 USD and spans 120 minutes. 

The second is an intensive hands-on exam. It tests candidates’ knowledge of working with enterprise networks start to finish. Candidates must know how to create a network at this scale, maintain and optimize it over time. It costs $1,600 USD and spans eight hours. 

As with other Cisco certifications and training, you can redeem Cisco Learning Credits if they’re available to you. These are prepaid vouchers that cover the cost of training, exams and more. 

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ISACA’s Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is another highly respected certification that’s appeared on this before, as well as featured in our annual IT Skills and Salary Report. Last year, it ranked 14^th on the worldwide list of highest-paying certifications, earning professionals an average of $133,616.

This certification is for those who manage their organization’s risk. These professionals evaluate and address emerging technology — this includes AI — to help reduce and manage risk by putting control systems into place. It spans four domains: Corporate IT Governance, IT Risk Assessment, Risk Response and Reporting, and Information Technology and Security. 

The ideal candidate for the CRISC certification is an IT professional with hands-on experience in risk identification, assessment, evaluation, response, and monitoring. This includes roles like risk professionals, control professionals, and business analysts. Moreover, the candidate must have at least three years of experience to certify.

The certification exam costs $575 USD for members and $760 for non-members. After passing the exam, candidates pay a $50 application processing fee, submit their application and agree to the code of ethics and continuing education policies.

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The AWS Certified Developer - Associate certification validates a professional’s knowledge and proficiency in core services, best practices, and developing cloud-based applications. It's also a great building block toward more advanced or specialized certifications, including some on this list.

This certification is best suited for individuals who have experience in a developer role, know at least one programming language, and have familiarity with AWS. It is also beneficial for those who wish to earn this credential to have strong on-premises IT experience and a solid understanding of transitioning from on-premises to cloud environments. 

Earning this certification means first sitting the exam, which consists of 65 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions, and allows roughly 130 minutes to complete. The cost of the exam is $150 USD, and it can be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center or through an online proctored exam. 

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The CIPP certification from the IAPP ranks on this list for the first time. Why? AI may have something to do with it. “While AI certifications are not yet at the forefront, the increasing emphasis on data privacy and compliance is closely tied to the rollout of AI technologies,” said Greg Fuller, with Codecademy Enterprise. 

And that’s where the IAPP comes in. It supports professionals who work at the junction of data privacy, AI governance and digital responsibility. The IAPP provides resources, training and a peer network to help professionals advance in their careers.

The CIPP certification is meant for those professionals who must know data privacy laws inside and out, and perhaps more so, understand how they may impact an organization — wherever they are in the world. The IAPP offers five regional versions of the certification to help professionals specialize in that region’s regulations and means of enforcement. 

To certify, candidates must pass the exam, which costs $550 USD, lasts two and a half hours, and presents 90 questions.

Microsoft’s Administrator Expert certification validates a professional’s ability to manage a tenant, Entra ID identity and access, handle security threats using Defender XDR, and account for compliance using Purview. It’s designed for those who work collaboratively with other administrators and those responsible for 365 workloads, infrastructure, security and more. 

An expert-level certification, candidates should have experience working with several Microsoft tools (like those mentioned before), and be well versed in networking, server administration, DNS and PowerShell. Further, candidates must have at least one prerequisite certification before attempting this one. They include Endpoint Administrator Associate, Messaging Administrator Associate, and Identity and Access Administrator Associate. 

Once meeting the requirements, you must pass the exam, MS-102 Microsoft 365 Administrator. It costs $165 USD.

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ISACA's Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification continues to be a highly credible, high-paying credential in the cybersecurity field. In 2022, it ranked as the second highest-paying certification, commanding an average annual salary of $162,347. Last year, it ranked fifth at $167,396.

CISM sustains its presence this year for good reason. Cybersecurity continues to be a top priority for leader who must protect sensitive data from ceaseless threat actors. This certification signals to organizations and industry peers that a professional can lead security teams and efforts effectively.

CISM validates the ability to manage, design and assess an enterprise’s information security. It proves expertise in these domains: information security governance, information security risk management, information security program, and incident management.

To earn this certification, professionals must have five years of professional work experience and pass the exam, which costs $575 USD for ISACA members and $760 USD for non-members.

Read Next:A Guide to the Highest-Paying ISACA Certifications

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The CIPM certification from IAPP graces this list for the first time, along with the aforementioned CIPP. This certification is for those in management who are accountable for creating and maintaining privacy programs from start to finish.

Together with a CIPP/E (as in Europe) certification, the organization says candidates meet the DPO requirements of GDPR. “The CIPP/E relates to the knowledge a DPO must have concerning the European legal framework of the legislation, and the CIPM to the theoretical aspects necessary to lead an organization’s data protection efforts,” the IAPP says on its website.

Training for this certification will focus on these domains: creating a company vision, structuring a privacy team, developing a framework, communicating with stakeholders, measuring performance, and learning about a program’s lifecycle.  

Those who plan to pursue this certification must pass the exam. It costs $550 USD, lasts two and a half hours and presents 90 questions.

Consistently a popular and high-paying certification is the AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate, the precursor to the professional-level credential. Last year, this earned professionals an average salary of $160,052. The year before, it was $155,020.

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification is a highly respected credential that validates an individual's ability to design and deploy scalable, robust, and fault-tolerant systems on the AWS platform. This certification demonstrates proficiency over various AWS services, including compute, networking, storage, and database. It also attests to the professional's competency in implementing security controls and compliance requirements. 

Those who hope to sit this exam should have strong familiarity with the AWS Well-Architected Framework, and it helps to know the basics of programming, though AWS says deep coding experience isn’t required. To achieve this certification, candidates must pass the exam. However, candidates should have a year of hands-on experience designing systems on AWS before attempting it.

The exam costs $150 USD. Candidates have 130 minutes to complete the 65-question exam.

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ISACA's Certified Information Systems Auditor certification ranked eleventh last year, with an average annual salary of $154,500 — just $862 shy of this year. The year before (2022), this certification earned professionals $142,366.

CISA-certified professionals can serve as the conduit between technical, legal and compliance teams and ensure organizations protect privacy and manage risk in an efficient, cost-effective way.

This certification has been around since 1978, making it one of the oldest, and most respected, credentials on this list. ISACA’s CISA certification validates audit, risk and cybersecurity skills pertaining to these domains:

• Information Systems Auditing Process
• Governance and Management of IT
• Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
• Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
• Protection of Information Assets

Earning this certification means you meet the minimum requirements and have passed the exam. Like the CISM, professionals who pursue this exam must have at least five years of professional auditing experience. The exam costs $575 USD for members and $760 USD for non-members. 

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This list has a long history of sharing the 15 top-paying IT certifications. However, as more certifications come onto the scene and technology evolves, we’re broadening our horizons to look further and dig deeper into the survey findings. 

New this year is an extension of our annual list. Below, you’ll find another five certifications that earn IT professionals high salaries due to their rigor, credibility and validation. 

For those in leadership building a team, certifications like the ones below not only prove that a prospective candidate has the skills you’re after, but demonstrate their commitment to learning, personal and professional development, and interest in going above and beyond.

Let’s keep going.

ISACA’s CGEIT certification is designed for professionals who manage, advise, and oversee IT governance in an organization. It validates their expertise in aligning IT with business goals, managing investments, and ensuring effective governance. In 2018, it topped this list as the highest paying. It earned professionals $139,529 that year.

Most commonly held by those in leadership positions, these professionals help steer their organizations toward better ways of utilizing resources, managing risk, and improving operations. The certification is framework agnostic and caters to the individual, according to ISACA. 

The exam focuses on these domains: Governance of Enterprise IT, IT Resources, Benefits Realization, and Risk Optimization. It costs $575 USD for members and $760 USD for non-members. 

Among Microsoft’s most popular certifications, the Azure Administrator Associate has landed on this list before. Last year, it earned professionals an average of $120,622 — roughly 23% less than this year. 

Among the survey results, Microsoft continually proves to be one of the most popular certification providers represented in the survey. What’s more, it’s the top vendor IT leaders plan to invest in — which has been true for several years running.

This certification helps prove to leaders that a candidate knows how to administer an enterprise’s Azure environment. To earn the credential, it requires expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring Azure environments, covering areas like virtual networks, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance.  

The exam tests candidates' knowledge on these topics:  

• Azure identity and governance management 
• Storage implementation and management 
• Azure compute resource deployment and management 
• Virtual networking implementation and management 
• Azure resource monitoring and maintenance 

Candidates should also have a solid understanding of operating systems, networking, servers, and virtualization. Candidates should have familiarity with tools like PowerShell, Azure CLI, Azure portal, Azure Resource Manager templates, and Microsoft Entra ID. The exam costs $165 USD.  

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Google Cloud’s Associate Cloud Engineer certification ranked on this list last year, earning professionals an average salary of $161,075. 

The certification is for those who are responsible for deploying and managing enterprise solutions. These professionals are adept at deploying applications, optimizing infrastructure, and ensuring the reliability and security of cloud-based systems. 

To earn this certification, candidates are assessed on their ability to set up, configure, deploy, and ensure the successful operation of Google Cloud solutions. After earning this one, it’s worth considering others, like the Cloud Database Engineer or the Cloud Security Engineer.

The exam covers these domains:

• Setting up a cloud solution environment (~20% of the exam)
• Planning and configuring a cloud solution (~17.5% of the exam)
• Deploying and implementing a cloud solution (~25% of the exam) 
• Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution (~20% of the exam)
• Configuring access and security (~17.5% of the exam)

There are no prerequisites to sitting the exam, however, Google recommends six months of experience working with the platform. The exam lasts two hours, costs $125 USD and spans up to 60 questions. Unlike others that expire in two years, this certification remains valid for three years. 

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The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification from EC-Council is a respected credential that equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to identify and address security vulnerabilities. It focuses on ethical hacking techniques and tools, preparing professionals to protect organizations from cyber threats by thinking like a hacker. This certification has featured on this list in the past. Most recently in 2019, it earned professionals $126,653. 

Version 13 of the certification comes with new AI tools and techniques to help practicing ethical hackers speed up their workflows — by up to 40%, according to EC-Council — and improve their productivity. To earn the certification, candidates must pass the knowledge exam, which lasts four hours, spans 125 questions, and covers the following domains: 

• Information security threats and attack vectors
• Attack detention
• Attack prevention
• Procedure methodologies

The cost of the exam depends largely on the training you take. EC-Council offers several learning packages, ranging from $2,400 to $3,500. These packages include the exam, along with training materials to help candidates prepare. 

Good to know: To earn the master level of this certification, candidates must pass an additional exam. It’s delivered via a cyber range, spans six hours and presents 20 challenges. 

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The CDPSE certification from ISACA is an experience-based, technical certification focused on IT implementation and best practices for data privacy. 

Certifications like this one are becoming increasingly important as organizations of all kinds strive to comply with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. What’s more, organizations collect vast amounts of data from their patrons, making them responsible for ensuring its safety and security. 

However, doing so isn’t exactly easy. It requires professionals stay current with regulations, have plans to adapt and remain compliant, and fend off ongoing threats. Thankfully, hiring managers and IT leaders can rest assured that prospective candidates with this certification have the skills needed for the job.

The exam focuses on three domains: Privacy Governance, Privacy Architecture, and Data Lifecycle. It costs $575 USD for members and $760 for non-members. 

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Historically when compiling this list, we set a benchmark to feel more confident in reporting salaries and the supporting data. However, depending on the region, some certifications just miss the cut but are nonetheless worthy of a mention because of their relevance and reverence in the field. 

Here are a few more certifications that didn’t have enough responses to make the list but still worth keeping an eye on:

Google Cloud's Professional Data Engineer certification has historically earned IT professionals high salaries, and it’s topped this list in the past. This year, it just missed the cut, falling short of the response threshold. 

Despite this, it’s worth mentioning this certification as roles like data engineers, scientists and specialists continue to grow in demand — much faster than average in the U.S. — as data and its application become far more critical to how both individuals and organizations make decisions. 

This certification validates an individual's capability to construct and manage effective data processing systems using the Google Cloud Platform. It affirms their ability to create secure, scalable, and reliable data solutions. 

The exam costs $200 USD. It's 50 to 60 questions, taken over two hours. Google recommends candidates have at least three years of professional experience, with at least one working with its platform, before sitting the exam. 

Last year, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional certification ranked fourth on this list with an average annual salary of $174,137. The year before, it sat at the very top at $168,080 — roughly 32% less than this year.

AWS certifications have continued to command high salaries for IT professionals due to the assurances they bring to organizations seeking highly skilled talent. What’s more, AWS is one of the top vendors IT leaders plan to invest in this coming year, so having reliable, skilled professionals architecting their cloud infrastructure becomes increasingly important. 

This certification validates an individual's advanced technical skills and expertise in designing and deploying scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on the AWS platform. 

AWS recommends two or more years of hands-on experience and familiarity with a scripting language, Windows, Linux, and many AWS services. The exam costs $300 USD, lasts 180 minutes and consists of 75 questions. 

ISC2’s ISSMP certification hasn’t ranked historically on this list due to lower response rates. However, this year, it met the threshold and tops the worldwide list at $188,291. 

And for good reason. 

The ISSMP certification is for cybersecurity leaders. These are professionals who are equally adept in security as they are at leading teams — especially those dealing with incident response and recovery. Further, these professionals sit at the helm of establishing, presenting and governing information security programs, according to ISC2. 

Requirements for this certification include first earning the CISSP, with two additional years of experience, or seven years of cumulative work experience. The exam test candidate’s knowledge on these domains: Leadership and Business Management, Systems Lifecycle Management, Risk Management, Threat Intelligence and Incident Management, Contingency Management, and Law, Ethics and Security Compliance Management. 

The exam costs $599 USD. It lasts three hours, covering 125 test items.

Below are the highest-paying certifications worldwide, according to the IT Skills and Salary survey. More than 5,000 IT professionals around the world participated in the survey this year, with the most responses from these countries: 

1. United States (42%)
2. India (11%)
3. Canada (3%)
4. United Kingdom (3%)
5. South Africa (3%)
6. Japan (2%)
7. Brazil (2%)
8. Germany (1%)
9. Philippines (1%)
10. Australia (1%)

In November, a new volume of the IT Skills and Salary Report will release, giving a more holistic view into global skills and certification trends. Remember to subscribe to Skillsoft’s blog to get updated on its release. 

In this year’s survey, more than 1,150 people who live in Europe and the Middle East completed the IT Skills and Salary survey, ranking these certifications as the highest paying across the region. 

The Asia-Pacific region accounted for more than 1,002 complete responses to this year’s survey, showing these as the highest-paying certifications. 

The Latin American region accounted for 321 responses to this year’s survey, showing these as the highest-paying certifications. 

Disclosure — The certifications below do not meet the threshold we set (40), except for Security+. They are presented for continuity and are subject to fluctuation with more responses. 

Our list of the top-paying certifications is based on survey responses from the Skillsoft IT Skills and Salary survey conducted May 2024 to September 2024. The survey asks respondents about their current jobs, experiences, certifications, and salaries, and more. Respondents encounter multiple choice and multi-select, open-ended, rank choice, and other types of questions while taking the survey.

The survey is distributed to IT professionals around the world, and in the U.S., 2,217 IT professionals participated. When asking survey participants to report their salary, those who live outside of the U.S. are asked to convert their earnings into United States dollars. 

Survey responses by country or region: 

• Worldwide: 5,191 
• United States: 2,217 
• Europe and the Middle East: 1,150
• Asia-Pacific: 1,002
• Latin America: 321

For the U.S. list specifically, certifications must have at least 40 survey responses to be considered and reported, unless disclosed otherwise. Then, we consider relevance, demand, and certification requirements. Salaries are not normalized for cost-of-living or location (e.g., California vs. Montana). 

The top U.S. states represented in this survey are as follows:

1. California (11%)
2. Texas (9%)
3. Florida (6%)
4. Virginia (6%)
5. New York (5%)
6. North Carolina (4%)
7. Maryland (4%)
8. Illinois (4%)
9. Georgia (4%)
10. Colorado (3%)