If you are present in the IT world on LinkedIn and elsewhere in the digital world, you have likely seen names with long trails of letters following them. These acronyms signal to others in the industry that this person is knowledgeable, committed and skilled enough to earn IT certifications relevant to their career. Certifications are a sign of credibility and dedication to not only one’s work, but to continuing to learn and improve one’s skills as the industry evolves.
If earning certifications demonstrates these positive aspects of your work life, does an increase in pay follow suit? In this blog post, ISACA Now breaks down the purpose and importance of certifications, whether they can increase your salary, and how they can help your IT career overall.
What is the purpose of an information technology IT certification, and why are certifications important in the IT field?
The purpose of an IT certification is not only to establish a fundamental understanding of certain industry topics, whether they are broad or very specialized, but also to display one’s knowledge and skills to others in the industry. Certifications alert other industry professionals to your experience, areas of expertise and dedication to your craft.
IT certifications also allow those who have a degree in an unrelated field or were unable to attend university a more cost-effective method of IT education. There are dozens of IT certification programs ranging from entry-level to highly advanced and covering a wide range of topics, including cybersecurity, risk management, ethical hacking, IT auditing, data analytics, cloud computing and more.
Not only do certifications showcase your knowledge, but they demonstrate a dedication to keep learning, which is key in an era of rapid digital transformation where the business landscape is constantly changing. New certifications are emerging alongside new areas of study and specializations in the IT world, allowing you to continuously learn and improve your skills. It is essential to keep learning, but it is also important to keep applying what you have learned in order to keep your skills sharp.
“Having a college degree doesn’t mean you’re employable—the idea is, what have you done with it?” says David Foote, co-founder, chief analyst and chief research officer for IT labor analyst firm Foote Partners, LLC. “The same applies to certifications.”
Do certifications help increase salary?
Yes, IT certifications can increase your compensation, but not necessarily in the ways you might think. IT certifications can help digital trust professionals qualify for a job with a higher salary across IT audit, cybersecurity, risk management, data privacy and related fields. IT certifications expand professional possibilities by providing recognizable credentials and opening up more job opportunities for which certifications are a requirement; however, many companies will pay a bonus outside of salaries for certifications that are preferred for specific positions.
“Not so much an increase in salary, but certainly in total compensation,” says Foote. “Certifications have to be a minimum qualification for a job to be part of the salary. What’s much more common is many companies will pay you annual cash bonuses for certifications they believe are important to a particular job.”
Here are some popular IT certifications with high-paying salaries:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional—Amazon Web Services’ Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification is for those with two or more years of experience with designing and implementing cloud architecture on AWS. The professional level of this certification (not to be confused with the “associate” certification of the same name) is designed to validate one’s ability to plan, implement and evaluate applications on AWS with complex requirements. According to the results of Skillsoft’s latest annual “IT Skills and Salary” survey, this AWS certification is ranked number one on the list of the 15 top-paying IT certifications of 2022 with an average salary of US$168,000+.
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)—ISACA’s CISM certification is for those who already have experience in IT security and control and are looking to take on more of a management role. It covers information security governance, risk management and programs, as well as incident management. CISM is meant to add credibility to one’s team by validating a professional’s dedication to compliance, security and integrity and by aligning the organization’s goals with its information security program. According to Skillsoft’s survey, CISM is ranked number two on the list of the 15 top-paying IT certifications of 2022; and according to ISACA, the worldwide average salary of CISM holders is US$149,000+.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)—(ISC)²’s CISSP certification is for those looking to accelerate their cybersecurity careers by proving their ability to design, implement and manage cybersecurity programs. This certification is optimal for experienced security practitioners, manager and executives in positions like CISOs, CIOs, security managers and network architects. CISSP is meant to validate these professionals’ expertise
According to (ISC)², the global average salary of CISSP holders is US$92,000+.
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)—ISACA’s CISA certification is for both entry-level and mid-career IT professionals to demonstrate their expertise in information systems auditing process, acquisition, development, implementation, operations and business resilience as well as governance and management of IT and protection of information assets. CISA allows organizations to recognize a team’s abilities to build and implement privacy solutions that align with broader enterprise goals and needs. According to the Skillsoft survey, CISA is ranked number 11 on the list of the 15 top-paying IT certifications of 2022; and according to ISACA, the average salary of CISA holders is US$149,000+.
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v11—EC-Council’s CEH certification is for entry-level cybersecurity professionals to establish the fundamentals of ethical hacking, including malware threats, vulnerability analysis, reconnaissance and more. This certification is well suited for those seeking information security, IT audit, system administration, network engineering, and vulnerability analysis roles. The national average of CEH holders is US$103,000+.
- Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)—ISACA’s CGEIT certification is for those looking to advance into executive positions by proving their expertise in the governance of enterprise IT, IT resources, benefits realization and risk optimization. CGEIT allows professionals to optimize their strategies and experience aligning IT with business goals, to manage IT investments for maximum returns on investments, and to minimize risk while achieving excellence in IT operations and governance. According to ISACA, the average salary of CGEIT holders is US$141,000+.
Will certification help my IT career?
As working from home has increased over the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have begun taking more precautions to ensure the stability of their cybersecurity, from their offices to their employees’ homes. According to Foote Partners’ most recent data, 21 of the highest-paying IT certifications have to do with security. Certifications allow IT professionals to stay up to date on the latest cybersecurity trends and best practices, which means they will make your CV stand out against other applicants. Cybersecurity certifications can provide employers greater peace of mind knowing their peers have the knowledge to take the proper steps to protect their organization’s private information from the comfort of their homes.
If you are looking to make a switch in your career, like transitioning from general IT to cybersecurity, certifications allow you to exhibit your dedication to the new path you have chosen. A certification will signal to industry professionals that you are prepared to make the switch, and it will give you a competitive advantage over other applicants who are looking to do the same. As Foote observed, “Certifications can help your career transfer to other areas that you’re not currently working in right now.”
If you are looking to advance in your career to management-level positions in the security realm, Foote said that it can be quite difficult to do so without certifications like CISM or CISSP. Many professionals earn these certifications proactively because they want to be ready should a management position open up. IT certifications can help you cover new technical areas while reinforcing skills you already have.
Overall, certifications can provide you with credibility in your job field, showcase your dedication to learning, increase your total compensation, distinguish you from other job applicants and accelerate your career to management and executive positions. Relevant IT certifications are advantageous to your career path, whichever way it evolves.
Editor’s note: Find out more about ISACA’s certifications and certificates here.