Cloud and cyber security orientated certifications continue to be the highest paying for IT professionals, the latest research from Skillsoft has revealed.
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The digital learning firm analysed data from thousands of IT professionals around the world as part of its annual IT Skills and Salary survey, resulting in a list of the top paying certifications in the industry today.
However, while the report reveals that the top jobs to have higher salaries associated with them, those figures are the culmination of several factors, Skillsoft said – including the ability to apply certified skills at work, job role, continuous professional development, tenure, and hard work.
With this in mind, the three highest paying credentials were found to be:
1. CISSP – Certified Information Systems Professional
Salary: $104,862.96
Price: $749
Top of the pile, the CISSP certification has been compared to earning a master’s degree in IT security as it equips professionals to effectively design, implement, and manage a cyber security programme.
The exam itself focuses on eight key areas within information security, including security and risk management, asset security, security architecture, software development security, and more.
Candidates require a minimum of five years of paid, relevant work experience in two or more CISSP domains. Those that lack the experience can still take the exam, and become an Associate of (ISC)2 if they pass.
2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Salary: $100,718.97
Cost: $300
Solutions architects are currently among the most in-demand tech roles, with organisations requiring professionals to design, deploy, and support complex cloud infrastructure. This certification from AWS validates a professional’s ability in this area.
The cloud giant recommends two or more years of hands-on experience and familiarity with a scripting language, Windows, Linux, and many AWS services.
3. CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
Salary: $97,303.57
Cost: $575 for ISACA members, $760 for non-members
As cyber security continues to be a top priority for organisations, the ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification highlights an individual’s ability to lead security teams and efforts effectively.
It validates a professional’s ability to manage, design, and assess an enterprise’s information security and proves expertise across information security governance, information security risk management, information security programme, as well as incident management.
IT professionals must have five years of relevant professional work experience before they can sit the exam.
Tech salaries continue to rise
The findings align with recent research from Hired, which found that tech salaries have continued to rise despite the pandemic and recent economic struggles around the world.
In the US, the highest paying tech roles were found to be Engineering Management ($196,193), Software engineering ($160, 469), Product Management ($157, 602), Developer Operations ($156, 321), and Design ($153, 005).
In the UK, the average UK tech salary has increased year-over-year from £76,000 in 2021 to £83,000 in 2022, with half of employees expecting a salary increase by next year.
The aim is to keep salaries high to win over top talent, meet candidate expectations, as well as prevent future job-hopping, the firm said.
“Employers continue to explore new markets and time zones for the best talent while valuing the efficiency of responsive, engaged candidates,” Hired explained. “Jobseekers still maintain a lot of power in the market.”
