15 Top-Paying IT Certifications For 2022

Skillsoft has assembled a list of the highest paying IT certifications in the U.S. with salaries for the most in-demand IT certifications including $133,568 for a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and $168,080 for an Amazon Web Services certified solutions architect professional.

As the need for skilled IT staff continues to soar, IT professionals in the U.S. with the right IT certifications are in the driver’s seat when it comes to being able to command six-figure salaries.

Average salaries for tech workers with the most in-demand IT certifications include $133,568 for a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) accredited worker to as much as $168,080 for an Amazon Web Services to certified solutions architect professionals who design systems using the AWS platform.

Skillsoft, a Nashua, N.H.-based developer of learning management software that provides businesses with online training resources for employees, has released its 2022 list of the IT certifications that are most in demand and the salaries they can bring.

As with Skillsoft’s 2021 list, cybersecurity and cloud computing certifications lead the way. Michael Yoo, Skillsoft customer market leader for technology and developer, said the most notable aspects of the 2022 list is the continued demand for IT professionals with certified skills in cloud computing, cybersecurity and data management.

“This is not surprising, given how nearly every company in every industry of every size in every geography is relying on cloud computing to power their technology strategy,” Yoo said in a statement.

Project management also remaines a certification favorite because there’s universal need for that expertise, he added.

“That said, the increase in importance of Google Cloud and multicloud certifications…speaks to the growing fraction of enterprises that now rely on more than one cloud computing platform,” Yoo said. “Sometimes that’s driven by a desire to have technical and commercial flexibility. Other times, it is a result of mergers and acquisitions activity.”

Here’s a look at 15 of the most in-demand IT certifications and their average salaries.

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise certification is one of the most sought-after certifications in the industry. It is designed for professional-level job roles with expertise in enterprise networking solutions. The certification ensures proficiency and expertise with enterprise solutions.

Cloud architects are responsible for managing an organization’s cloud computing architecture. Their role is to bridge the technical and business sides of cloud adoption. The credential helps organizations develop talent with critical knowledge related to implementing cloud initiatives. Earning this certification validates cloud fluency and foundational AWS knowledge.

The VCP-DCV 2022 certification validates professional skills to implement, manage, and troubleshoot vSphere infrastructure using best practices to provide a powerful, flexible, and secure foundation for business agility that can accelerate the transformation to cloud computing. vSphere is VMware's virtualization platform.

This certification is intended for individuals who perform complex big data analysis tasks and have at least two years experience using AWS technology. Capabilities validated by the certification include implementing core AWS big data services according to best practices, designing and maintaining big data systems, and leveraging tools to automate data analysis.

CISA certification is the foundation of a successful IT career, according to ISACA, the international professional association focused on IT governance. The designation is the standard for professionals who have a career in information systems, auditing, control and security who demonstrate they have knowledge, skills and proficiency to meet the challenges.

The Cloud Digital Leader certification includes courses to provide foundational knowledge about cloud technology and data. This training also offers an overview of Google Cloud products and services that enable companies to complete their digital transformation. It is also designed to empower techs to contribute to cloud-related business initiatives across an organization.

Responsibilities for this role include advising stakeholders and translating business requirements into designs for secure, scalable and reliable Azure solutions for Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform. A solutions architect partners with developers, administrators, and others responsible for implementing solutions on Azure. The certification includes expertise in implementing, managing and monitoring Azure solutions.

The Nutanix Certified Professional – Multicloud Infrastructure (NCP-MCI) certification is designed to recognize a professional’s skills and abilities to deploy, administer, and troubleshoot Nutanix AOS 5.20 in the Enterprise Cloud. Earning this certification validates a professional’s ability to deploy and administer Nutanix AOS 5.20 nodes, blocks, and clusters. It also proves one can use Prism Element to manage AHV hosts and virtual machines, according to Nutanix.

PMP certification recognizes project managers who use their skills to successfully manage projects. It represents an elite group of project managers who demonstrate project leadership, experience and expertise. To obtain PMP certification a project manager must meet certain requirements and pass an exam. The PMP exam was created by project leaders for project leaders, so each test question can be related to real-life project management experiences.

This credential is designed to help companies identify and develop talent with critical skills for implementing cloud initiatives. Earning the certification validates expertise in securing data and workloads in the AWS Cloud. Required courses focus on best practices for securing data and systems in the cloud. This path covers access management, data, network, and host security and monitoring.

This certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) is for beginners and professionals who operate enterprise architecture programs. It covers deployment of AWS systems, best practices and more. The associate certification covers skills for working with the AWS Cloud, Alexa and other AWS services.

Professionals with a CISSP certification are responsible for the safety of information maintained on an organization’s network. They research, develop, implement, assess, and review business information security systems and processes to safeguard data. Certification requires five years of experience as a security professional in two or more of the eight domains outlined in the CISSP, such as cryptography and software development security.

Professional cloud architects leverage Google Cloud technologies. The job requires an understanding of cloud architecture and Google Cloud. The certification exam assesses the ability to design and plan a cloud solution architecture; manage and provision the cloud solution infrastructure; design for security and compliance; analyze and optimize technical and business processes; manage implementations of cloud architecture; and ensure solution and operations reliability.

Professionals with a CISM a certification are expected to manage a company‘s information security, develop policies and practices, and understand the relationship between information security and business objectives. They monitor computer security in a business. CISM certification is one of four certifications offered by the Information System Audit and Control Association (ISACA). This certification is specially intended for information security managers.

This designation is one step above the AWS Certified Solutions Architect. It covers advanced skills for deploying and designing applications on the AWS cloud platform, as well as advanced topics ranging from databases and application servers to optimal system design.

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How To Get PMP Certification: Is PMP Certification Worth It?

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Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification can make you stand out against the competition in the field of project management. If you’ve wondered how to get PMP certification, know that you must first complete work experience, training courses and an exam.

But is PMP certification worth it? In this article, we’ll explore what it takes to get certified, how much you might have to pay and how PMP certification can help you level up your project management career.

Professional certifications verify your career skills and allow you to learn more about important concepts and industry best practices that can help in your day-to-day operations.

PMP certification is the most widely recognized in the world of project management. It’s available through the Project Management Institute (PMI), which publishes the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). The PMBOK is the Holy Grail of knowledge when it comes to project management concepts.

PMP certification demonstrates a strong understanding of the concepts set forth in the PMBOK and other reference materials. This designation can help you distinguish yourself from your peers and gain respected credentials in your field. Along the way, you’ll learn about concepts like Agile, waterfall project scheduling, leadership and business management.

The first step to earning PMP certification is to begin work in the field of project management. PMP certification requires months of work experience. Precise requirements vary depending on your level of education. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need 36 months of relevant project experience to qualify for the PMP credential. Without a degree, you must complete 60 months of experience.

If you have this work experience or are working toward it, the next step is to complete at least 35 hours of formal PMP training, also called “contact hours,” or hold a current CAPM certification. You can complete contact hours through a PMP certification course, which you may take online or in person. These courses take a few weeks to a few months to complete, and they teach the concepts you should understand before taking the PMP certification exam.

Below, we’ll discuss how to get a PMP certification in more detail, including prerequisites and PMP exam costs.

You must accomplish a certain amount of professional experience and formal training before you qualify for PMP certification.

If you have completed high school or an associate degree but not a bachelor’s, PMP certification requirements are as follows.

If you have a bachelor’s degree, you must complete the following before pursuing PMP certification.

Most PMP certification training programs (through which you can earn your contact hours) range in cost from around $300 to around $3,000. Courses offered through well-known colleges and universities tend to cost more, but many also offer for-credit programs that result in undergraduate or graduate certificates. Consider a program that holds GAC accreditation when searching for courses. Free PMP certification training is available through some resources, but usually only for short trial periods.

To sit for the exam, the cost is $405 for PMI members or $575 for nonmembers.

How long does it take to get PMP certification? The most time-consuming part of the PMP certification process is completing the required work experience. Start documenting your work experience as soon as you consider applying for PMP certification. Once you get that experience under your belt, the rest of the certification process involves studying and scheduling your test. The time spent on this step can vary depending on your schedule and study habits, location and testing center availability.

Most PMP certification training courses take only a few weeks to a few months to complete. After that, it’s up to you how much time you spend studying for the certification exam. Retakes cost $275 for PMI members and $375 for nonmembers, so it’s best to go into the exam as prepared as possible.

Once you’ve passed the PMP exam, you must complete a certain level of continuing education to keep your certification active. The renewal fee, due every three years, is $60 for PMI members or $150 for nonmembers.

To determine whether PMP certification is worth it to you, weigh the costs of certification against the potential benefits. Since we’ve listed the costs of PMP certification above, you likely have a good idea of the investment you’d need to make to get certified. Now, it’s time to consider your potential return on that investment.

Are you looking to make a career change? Move into a higher role in your current team? In either case, PMP certification could be just what you need to level up your career. As part of the certification process, you’ll learn industry best practices that you can start incorporating into your day-to-day work life immediately.

According to PMI, PMP-certified professionals in the U.S. earn a median annual salary of $123,000, compared to a median of $93,000 for their non-certified colleagues. This translates to a 32% salary increase for certified PMPs.

Multiply your current salary by 1.32 to estimate your potential PMP certification salary. You can then weigh that salary increase against the cost of PMP certification training and the PMP exam. This cost vs. benefit analysis can help you understand whether PMP certification would be worth it for you.