There are two paths to take if you’re looking to advance your knowledge in IT-related fields: certifications and degrees. Both paths have benefits, but they are certainly not the same. While certifications are a cost-effective option, computer science degrees offer a more well-rounded education. According to the 2021 IT Salary report from Robert Half, IT professionals holding the following popular certifications can earn 5% to 10% more than their peers. Whether you’re just starting out and building your resume or you’ve been in the industry for 20 years, there’s a certification that can help boost your salary and your career. Here are 10 of the most-coveted computer science certifications.
Here’s a listing of recommended entry-level IT certifications
Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+)Comp TIA A+CompTIA Network+CompTIA Security+Microsoft 365 Fundamentals.Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
Seven software certifications you can take to boost your IT career:
Oracle Application Express Developer Certified ExpertOracle Certified Professional MySQL 5.6 DeveloperITIL FoundationScrum Alliance Certified Scrum DeveloperCertified ScrumMasterPuppet Labs Puppet DeveloperProject Management Professional
Random facts about computer science degrees and certifications
Payscale’s 2019 College Salary Report listed that computer science graduates earned an average early career salary of $68,600 and a mid-career salary of $114,700.The average starting salary for graduates of computer science degrees is projected to be around $61,000, second only to engineering graduates. However, the real potential for wealth comes from the power to develop your own product and found a company in the same vein as Google, Microsoft, and Apple.A valuable C/C++ certificate is a powerful weapon in the race for better employment, first-rate expertise and greater competitiveness. Certification opens doors to a better job and a better salary. It is a great motivator for self-improvement and self-development.If you’ve already built a skill set and can demonstrate a high level of expertise, “then yes, certifications will only further bolster [your] case for better opportunities, more pay, etc.,” Wenzler says. Programmer certifications can bring value not only to employers but also to their customers.
Desirable certifications for computer programmers include the following:
Oracle: Oracle Certified Associate (OCA): Java Programmer. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP): Java Programmer.Microsoft: MCPD: Microsoft Certified Professional Developer. …CIW: Web Foundations Associate.
Abilities validated by this certification:
Design and deploy dynamically scalable, highly available, fault-tolerant, and reliable applications on AWSSelect appropriate AWS services to design and deploy an application based on given requirementsMigrate complex, multi-tier applications on AWSDesign and deploy enterprise-wide scalable operations on AWSImplement cost-control strategies
Recommended knowledge and experience:
Two or more years of hands-on experience designing and deploying cloud architecture on AWSAbility to evaluate cloud application requirements and make architectural recommendations for implementation, deployment, and provisioning applications on AWSFamiliarity with AWS CLI, AWS APIs, AWS CloudFormation templates, the AWS Billing Console, and the AWS Management ConsoleExplain and apply the five pillars of the AWS Well-Architected FrameworkDesign a hybrid architecture using key AWS technologies (e.g., VPN, AWS Direct Connect)Ability to provide best practice guidance on the architectural design across multiple applications and projects of the enterpriseFamiliarity with a scripting languageFamiliarity with Windows and Linux environmentsMap business objectives to application/architecture requirementsArchitect a continuous integration and deployment process
To qualify for this cybersecurity certification, you must pass the exam and have at least five years of cumulative, paid work experience in information technology, of which three years must be in information security, and one year in one or more of the six domains of the (ISC)² CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). The CCSP is ideal for IT and information security leaders responsible for applying best practices to cloud security architecture, design, operations and service orchestration, including those in the following positions:
Enterprise ArchitectSecurity AdministratorSystems EngineerSecurity ArchitectSecurity ConsultantSecurity EngineerSecurity ManagerSystems Architect
Average salary (global): $119 880; North America: $150 400 (ISC2.org)
The certification offers a natural progression for IT professionals tasked with designing, implementing and managing the technology that stores, collects and transports PII and ensures that privacy is considered in the design.
Earning the CDPSE Certification: Professionals can apply for the CDPSE certification as part of a limited early-adoption opportunity. Those who have the necessary experience can become certified without taking the exam.
Salary range: $75,000 - $118,000.
The CDP is an update of the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), created and offered by the ICCP from 2004 until 2015 and then upgraded to the CDP. Data Professionals may specialize and certify in the following areas:
Business Analytics, (CDP-BA)
Data Analytics & Design, (CDP-DAD)
Data Governance, (CDP-DG; DGSP)
Data Integration and Interoperability), (CDP-DII)
Data Management, (CDP-DM)
Data & Information Quality, (CDP-DIQ)
Data Stewardship, (CDP-DS)
Data Warehousing (CDP-DW)
Enterprise Data Architecture (Zachman), (CDP-EDA)
Information Systems or IT Management, (CDP-Mgmt)
Public Sector Data Governance (CDP-PSDG; PSDGP)
Salary range: $95 000 - $125 000
The CEH (ANSI) exam is an MCQ (multiple-choice question) exam. This exam is only available at the ECC Exam Centre. For those attempting the exam at a physical testing centre (ETC/ Pearson Vue), the exam will be proctored by a proctor authorized at the testing center, and for those attempting the exam remotely (ECC/ ProctorU), the exam will be proctored remotely by an authorized proctor. In either of the options, no resources are allowed during the exam.
Salary range: $79 500 - $161 500; averages $104 813 (ZipRecruiter), $82 966 (PayScale)
The CISM credential focuses on security strategy and assessing the systems and policies in place. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is a key certification for information security professionals who manage, design, oversee, and assess enterprise information security. A CISM certification course, closely aligned with ISACA’s best practices, helps you learn all you need about IT security systems.
While ZipRecruiter sees salaries as high as $207 435 and as low as $77 665, the majority of CISM salaries currently range between $101 751 (25th percentile) to $158 771 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) making $183 840 annually in California.
Average salary (North America): $99 778
CISSP has been recognized for its exclusivity and granted a qualification level equal to that of a Master’s Degree across Europe. The CISSP constitutes various topics under information security studies.
Training Camp claims its CISSP program represents the culmination of hundreds of hours of instructional design, thousands of hours of exam-focused instruction, and tens of thousands of efficiently and effectively skilled, certified students. Training Camp became (ISC)²’s first and only “Boot Camp” partner in 2003. Since then, TC has won more awards and certified more CISSPs than any other company worldwide.
According to the InfoSec Institute, the average salary for a woman who successfully passed the CISSP exam falls between $66 000 and $156 000, while the average CISSP certifications-based salary for a man is between $72 000 and $164 000. The CISSP certification is very useful for those seeking a higher-level security job.
The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification) is a series of technical certifications for senior networking professionals who design, build, implement, maintain and troubleshoot complex enterprise networking infrastructures. The certification program is divided into six separate series, or tracks, and includes the following: collaboration, data center, routing and switching, security, service provider, and wireless.
First issued in 1993, the CCIE certification program is continuously updated by Cisco. Fewer than 3% of Cisco engineers achieve CCIE certification, accounting for fewer than 1% of all networking professionals worldwide.
Average salary: $149 800 (ZipRecruiter)
This program provides foundational level knowledge on Microsoft Azure concepts; core Microsoft Azure services; core solutions and management tools; general security and network security; governance, privacy, and compliance features; Microsoft Azure cost management, and service level agreements. Ideal for IT personnel just beginning to work with Microsoft Azure or anyone wanting to learn about it.
Average salary: $152 142 (North America)
The MySQL open-source community also offers a set of certification courses.
Salary range: $64 500 - $91 300
