The 10 Highest-Paying IT Certifications for 2023

Despite ongoing concerns about a potential economic downturn, not to mention widespread reports of layoffs, tech companies haven’t stopped hiring. Finding the right candidates, though, remains a challenge. According to Spiceworks’ 2023 State of IT Report(Opens in a new window), 59% of senior IT leaders (director titles and higher) say they’re experiencing difficulties hiring qualified IT talent. The question is, how do you prove to a hiring manager that you’re qualified?

It’s little wonder that nearly one-third of all respondents in Spiceworks’ most recent survey said they expected to earn a technical certification in 2023. Analysts, help desk technicians, and system administrators represented the largest proportion of people seeking to advance their skill set, at 42%. Still, managers, directors, vice presidents, and C-suite leaders also plan to broaden their capabilities.

But which certifications deserve your time and money investment? The most recent survey(Opens in a new window) from online technology learning company Skillsoft has some answers to that question. Not surprisingly, cloud services and security skills ranked highly in this year’s results. Here, then, in reverse order, are the 10 certifications most likely to earn the compensation you deserve.

(Editor’s note: Spiceworks is owned by PCMag’s parent company.)

10. Google Cloud – Cloud Digital Leader

In keeping with this year’s emphasis on cloud services, this certification enters this list with a promise to earn its qualifiers an average salary of $142,708. The certification is a relatively new one, having launched in 2021.

To pass the Cloud Digital Leader exam(Opens in a new window), you’ll need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of Google’s cloud offerings and how businesses can take advantage of them. This knowledge includes application modernization, digital transformation, operations, and security.

The course is aimed at business professionals and decision-makers, so it lacks prerequisites, including prior technical knowledge. In fact, you’ll want to be “reasonably new” to cloud technologies. However, once you’ve completed the coursework, you’ll have a reasonable knowledge of Google Cloud offerings and how they can aid digital transformation. Go in with knowledge of your company’s products, services, and industry, and you should exit with a good command of how Google Cloud technologies can contribute to future business success.

9. Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Another new entrant, the Azure Solutions Architect Expert(Opens in a new window) exam, is designed to certify professionals with advanced experience designing cloud and hybrid solutions on the Microsoft Azure platform. If you tackle it, you’ll want to approach the test with a good understanding of DevOps, governance, networking, security, and virtualization. You’ll also need a prerequisite certification, such as Microsoft Azure Administrator or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.

To earn the certificate, you’ll need to pass the Microsoft Azure Architect Design and Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies exams. In fact, it’s a winding path(Opens in a new window) to get you all the way to the Solutions Architect Expert level. 

Will all that studying be worth it? Almost certainly. Although the compensation is on the low end of our list, certificate holders can expect to earn an average of $142,976 per year according to Skillsoft’s research.

8. Nutanix Certified Professional – Multicloud Infrastructure (NCP-MCI)

Holding steady in eighth place is Nutanix, a rapidly-growing cloud solutions company that provides several technologies, including data management, hybrid clouds, multi-cloud architectures, and even desktop as a service (DaaS) offerings to support hybrid work. Most of these are based on Nutanix’s proprietary AOS cloud platform technology.

The NCP-MCI certification(Opens in a new window) ensures that IT professionals have the proficiency to manage, set up, and troubleshoot any AOS instance in Nutanix’s Enterprise Cloud. Successful candidates will also learn to administer AOS network blocks, clusters, and nodes, and use Nutanix’s Prism Element tool to manage virtual infrastructure.

Certification means you must pass the Nutanix Multicloud Infrastructure exam. The 75-question test is administered via remote proctor, and Nutanix provides detailed learning resources(Opens in a new window). Pass the exam, and you’ll be in line to earn an average salary of $147,170.

7. PMP – Project Management Professional

Although it has lost some of its value compared to earlier years, the Project Management Professional(Opens in a new window) (PMP) certification has held its seventh-place slot in the most recent survey. It’s still one of the most mature and stable certifications an IT manager can get. In fact, the average pay that PMP certificate holders can expect has increased.

The program was created—and is administered—by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It’s one of the most recognized project management accreditation available today. A certificate demonstrates that you are competent when it comes to managing projects, including such aspects as budgets, goals, and teams.

That said, gaining this certification isn’t easy. You will be tested in the five basic lifecycle steps inherent to any project: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. And before you become certified, you’ll need to complete at least 35 hours of related training before taking the exam. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, you’ll also need 4,500 hours of project management experience (those without a degree will need 7,500 hours).

That means getting a PMP certification can take years, but it’s worth it. Certified PMPs currently earn an average of $148,290 per year. However, those numbers can grow significantly if a PMP holder moves into senior management, which many professionals do.

(Credit: gilaxia / Getty Images)

6. AWS Certified Security – Specialty

This new certification combines cloud computing and security. Before taking the AWS Certified Security – Specialty(Opens in a new window) exam, Amazon recommends that you have at least five years of experience in a security role, with two years specific to securing AWS workloads. 

You need knowledge of security features specific to the AWS environment, including its shared responsibility model, security controls, logging and monitoring strategies, and ways to secure AWS workloads using third-party tools (backups, encryption, access control, and more).

Earning this cert is a tall order, to be sure. if you pass the exam, you should be qualified to take on a Security Architect role at any AWS shop, and expect to earn an average salary of $149,741.

5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate(Opens in a new window) certification has fallen two notches, just as it fell one step last year. Nonetheless, this certification tests your expertise in designing systems on the Amazon Web Services cloud. If you have hands-on experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and are used to architecting large-scale, distributed systems, this certification may be just what you need to move your career forward.

Candidates must pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C02) exam. In addition to the relevant training(Opens in a new window), AWS also recommends at least a year of hands-on experience designing systems on AWS before taking this exam. The exam takes 80 minutes and is administered at PSI(Opens in a new window) centers across the United States. Successful AWS Certified Solutions Architects make an average of $155,020 per year. If you want to maximize your AWS knowledge, you might want to go for the top-ranked AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certificate, described below.

4. CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional

If you work in security analysis, auditing, systems engineering, or anything in between, then the Certified Information Systems Security Professional(Opens in a new window) (CISSP) might be your perfect certification. Its rank increased by a spot this year, perhaps reflecting the cyberattacks that seem to increase every year. 

This certification was created by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, known as (ISC)², and is one of the most sought-after security certifications today. Moving up from sixth place last year, the CISSP credential teaches candidates to be information assurance pros. These folks are usually responsible for determining the security aspects of an IT organization’s overall architecture, controls, and management.

If you pass the test, which requires you to have a minimum of five years’ worth of relevant experience, you can expect an average compensation rate of $158,191 per year. However, it’s worth noting that you will still need continuing education credits each year to maintain your credential even after getting the certification. This is a tough requirement, but that’s a big reason why this cert is in such demand by employers.

3. Google Cloud – Professional Cloud Architect

The Google Professional Cloud Architect(Opens in a new window) certification, which debuted in 2017, slipped another notch in the Top 10 ranking this year, but it remains a lucrative certification for cloud engineers. This discipline certifies IT pros as architects on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Completing this certification ensures you’ll have the capacity to design, develop, and manage resources residing on Google’s cloud architecture using GCP technologies.

Earning this certification entails a deep knowledge of the Google technology solutions you’ll need to apply to address various cloud scenarios. Cloud skills continue to be in high demand, and mastering Google’s tools for reliable and secure solutions will be critical to any organization standardizing on the GCP platform. Skillsoft points out that the average cloud computing professional in the U.S. makes over $160,000 a year, despite that specialization making up a small percentage (4%) of its survey respondent base. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architects can expect to earn an average of $161,371 annually.

2. CISM – Certified Information Security Manager

In 2023, the Certified Information Security Manager(Opens in a new window) (CISM) certification rocketed back into second place from sixth place last year. It was once the highest-paying discipline with a core focus on information security, but it had since fallen behind its rivals, the CISSP and CRISC certifications. This year, only CISSP is a competitive certificate in the security space (see above). It’s a sad, sobering reality that information security concerns are more relevant than ever, particularly in light of such modern threats as ransomware attacks. 

Attain a CISM certificate, and your job will be to design and engineer security protocols and manage a company’s overall IT security. As a CISM, you’ll have access to lines of business outside of IT, putting you face-to-face with company stakeholders. ISACA, which created the cert, has detailed learning resources(Opens in a new window). CISMs are well-paid, too. Skillsoft says you can make $162,347 per year, on average.

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

Rocketing to first place is the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional(Opens in a new window) certification, another new entrant to this list, and the gold standard for engineers who want to design and deploy architecture on Amazon’s public cloud. With it, you’ll demonstrate advanced knowledge of AWS tools and procedures.

Before taking the exam, you need at least two years of experience working with AWS, including familiarity with the command-line interface. In addition, you must know at least one scripting language, have expertise in AWS APIs and consoles, and have familiarity with both Linux and Windows. You should also understand AWS best practices, and be able to provide design and deployment guidance that aligns with business objectives.

If that’s too tall of an order, you may want to shoot for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certificate, which came in fifth place on this year’s list. However, if you think you can handle the prerequisites, you’ll be rewarded. The Professional certificate will earn you an average of $168,080, which is $13,060 more than the average earnings of an Associate certificate holder.

How to Find Online Certification Training Courses

As a technology skills learning company, Skillsoft offers online exam prep courses for all of the certifications on its Top 10 list, but there are other options. Online learning has exploded in recent years, and sources run the gamut from university-sponsored learning tracks to courses provided in partnership with technology companies such as Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft. We’re also seeing the rise of video-based learning platforms like Skillshare. We’ve listed some of the most popular below, but you should shop carefully because prices and training quality can vary greatly:

• Coursera is an online learning platform boasting some 4,400 courses, many of which are affiliated with over 200 universities and companies. In addition, more than 6,000 campuses use Coursera for online learning of accredited and non-accredited IT-focused courses. Although any participant can earn industry credentials for non-degree work, you can earn college accreditation only if you are working toward a degree. 

• edX is a learning destination founded by Harvard and MIT. It currently reports 35 million users on its platform and offers over 3,000 online courses from more than 160 institutions, including tech giants like Amazon and Google. Some areas of concentration at edX include a Professional Certificate in IT Project Management(Opens in a new window) from the University of Washington and a Professional Certificate in Data Science for Executives(Opens in a new window) in conjunction with Columbia University. In addition, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, edX created the edX Online Campus(Opens in a new window) so that any university across the globe can offer on-demand learning for students, alums, and employees.  

• LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is another massive on-the-job learning portal. It has more than 16,000 courses, and many of them are focused on tech and taught by real-world professionals. Certifications are available for IT courses, but they usually cost extra, and not all are accredited. LinkedIn leverages its professional network to create course recommendations tailored to users’ career tracks, and the courses can be accessed by PC or smartphone.

• Udemy is a colossal online learning platform with a staggering 183,000 video courses on a wide range of subjects. Udemy is popular because it often offers significant discounts on training, which makes it one of the more affordable options for online learning. That said, Udemy enables unaccredited instructors to sell courses for profit. That can diminish its credibility for academic and certification tracks. Additionally, while it has many resources for learning programming languages, IT pros should shop cautiously when training for accredited certifications.

Choosing the cheapest course on a given subject might seem like the best option, but you get what you pay for with these services. To help you make the best decision, remember that several companies offer free trial courses or trial periods. We’ve found it’s worth the effort to explore your online school this way before you commit. Reviews from former students are another vital resource that some vendors provide. They can help you gauge a course’s effectiveness for your particular cert needs.

Have any questions about the top IT certifications? Join the [email protected](Opens in a new window) business community on LinkedIn, where you can connect with vendors, other pros like yourself, and PCMag’s editors.