The Top 10 Highest-Paying IT Certifications for 2022

The IT landscape is constantly evolving, which means it’s never the wrong time to get certified in new tech skills. We found the 10 certifications that can boost your earnings the most in 2022 and where you can find training to earn them.

The top-paying IT certifications reflect shifting opinions and tech trends, significantly impacting IT departments around the world. In recent years, IT decision-makers have identified two technical areas that demand the most investment. Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity.

This year, cloud technologies and security made up the top six certifications by salary, up from the top four in the previous year. This comes as no surprise, considering their high demand among employers. Still, project management remains another high-paying option, which is important to note since it’s been a top contender for more than a decade. IT professionals with these skills are in high demand and tend to command the largest paychecks overall.

Here is the top 10 list for 2022

1) Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect  — $175,761

A Professional Cloud Architect enables institutions to leverage Google Cloud technologies. You need a thorough understanding of cloud architecture and Google Cloud Platform(GCP) so that you can design, develop, and manage robust, secure, scalable, highly available, and dynamic solutions to stimulate business applications.

2) AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate  — $149,446

This certification and training course is designed for individuals who can perform the solutions architect role and have one or more years of experience designing available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS.

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate-level exam shows the individual’s expertise in designing and deploying scalable systems on AWS.

It’s not surprising to see this certification in our top five list due to the market need for skilled and certified AWS solutions architects.

3) CISM – Certified Information Security Manager — $148,622

CISM is an advanced certification that validates individuals who have demonstrated they possess the knowledge and experience required to develop and manage an enterprise information security program.

This certification is intended for information security managers, aspiring managers, or IT consultants who support information security program management.

4) CRISC – Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control  — $146,480

This certification is an enterprise risk management qualification. It is favoured by professionals looking to build upon their existing knowledge and experience of IT/Business risk, identification, and implementation of information system controls.

The certification requires pre-requisite skills such as the ability to manage the ongoing challenges of enterprise risk and to design risk-based information system controls.

CRISC is one of the first certifications which mainly helps IT professionals prepare for real-world threats, with appropriate tools to both evaluate and manage risks. As a result, the CRISC certification is widely seen as the go-to accreditation for experts in the field of risk and information systems controls or those looking to progress their careers in this area.

5) PMP® – Project Management Professional  — $143,493

Project Management Professional is the internationally recognized professional designation offered by the Project Management Institute. As new start-ups are being created worldwide, the demand for the Project manager has never been this high.

This certification demonstrates that you are responsible when it comes to managing projects and project teams. You will be tested in mainly five specific areas: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling and closing.

6) CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional  — $141,452

CISSP is considered as a quality standard in the field of information security. The certification was introduced in 1994 and is the most required security certification on LinkedIn.

Many IT security professionals prefer CISSP certification and training. This is because it provides information security professionals a measure of competence and gives them a globally recognized standard of achievement.

7) CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor — $132,278

Though it’s relatively new to the Top 10 list, this is one of the oldest and most respected IT credentials, since it was originally created by ISACA back in 1978. The CISA accreditation validates auditing, cybersecurity, and risk management skills. CISA-certified IT experts are hired to ensure that a business’ critical assets are secure and properly maintained.

8) AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate  — $131,465

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, then this certification may be exactly what you need to move your career forward.

9) ITIL® Foundation  — $129,402

This certification is accepted as a framework for managing the IT lifecycle. As such, it is different from the other certifications on this list and is one of the few that focuses on the intersection of IT and the needs of the businesses.

Though this is a foundational certification, it is often linked with higher IT salaries because of cross-certification. Professionals who earn their ITIL Foundation certificate often go on to achieve higher-level credentials.

10) Microsoft Azure Fundamentals  — $126,653

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is the first step on the path to Microsoft’s role-based certifications and provides foundational knowledge about basic cloud concepts and services. In addition, core Azure services, like security, privacy, compliance, and trust, are covered.

This certification is targeted specifically at professionals with non-technical experience. For example, program managers and sales reps responsible for selling or purchasing cloud-based solutions are ideal candidates. To achieve this certification, you have to pass AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. While it is a recommended first step, this certification is not a prerequisite for more advanced Azure credentials, such as Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate.

As a leading learning and development service provider company, Trainocate provides training for all of the certifications in this Top 10 list. Come train with Trainocate and explore what we have to offer to improve business productivity and workforce efficiency.