By Shabdita Singh
Our list of 10 jobs you can get with an IT certification will be valuable, whether you’re looking to change career paths or brush up on your tech skills.
1. Help desk technician
CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certification that can help you begin your career in the IT industry. Along with hardware know-how, technical support, and troubleshooting, the CompTIA A+ certification also covers best practices in networking, cybersecurity, and operational procedures.
Certification Process: The A+ certification involves two exams, one with multiple choice questions and the other performance-based. Each exam costs $211 making the cost of the certification, $422.
Common Job Titles:
- Support technician
- Information technology (IT) manager
Salary Range: CompTIA A+ certified technicians receive an average salary of $58K
2. Systems administrator
Since 2016, Microsoft has introduced Microsoft Certified Solution Expert certifications in multiple specialties such as cloud platform and infrastructure, mobility, and data management and analytics. An MCSE certified systems administrator specializes in operating and maintaining Microsoft server technology.
Certification Process: For a candidate to be eligible for an MCSE certification, they should first earn an Associate level (MCSA) certification. Once candidates earn the prerequisite certification, they can take one additional exam to earn the MCSE certification. Candidates can choose from a pool of exams broadly divided under 5 specialties. The typical cost of an MCSE exam is $165.
Common Job Titles:
- Senior systems engineer
- IT manager
Salary Range: An MCSE certified systems administrator can expect an average salary of $91K
3. Network administrator
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an associate-level certification that validates that a network administrator is capable of installing, operating and configuring networks, and troubleshooting.
Certification Process: There are 10 associate-level or CCNA exams offered by Cisco. A few of them require a prerequisite CCENT certification, whereas other exams such as CCNA Cloud, Collaboration, and CyberOps don’t need a prerequisite. Depending upon the exam, the cost of acquiring a CCNA certification can vary from $300 to $600.
Common Job Titles:
- Network engineer
- Network administrator
- IT manager
Salary Range: A network administrator can expect an average salary of $75K.
4. Helpdesk technician
The CompTIA Network+ is a mid-level certification for network technicians. The certification tests the ability of a networking technician to install, maintain, support, and troubleshoot a network.
Certification Process: The Network+ certification process includes a 90-minute exam that tests a candidate’s knowledge of wired and wireless network devices and emerging network technologies. The exam costs $319.
Common Job Titles:
- Helpdesk technician
- Information technology specialist
Salary Range: A Network+ certification can fetch a candidate an average salary of $63K
5. AWS certified solutions architect
The AWS Certified Solution Architect can design and deploy a scalable, cost-effective, and efficient Amazon Web Services (AWS) solution. Since an increasing number of companies and businesses are moving towards cloud, AWS Certified Solutions Architect are highly in demand.
Certification Process: The AWS certification comprises of one exam with a time limit of 80 minutes. There are no prerequisites required for the exams. However, since it is an intermediate-level certification, candidates require 1-2 years of hands-on experience with AWS. The exam costs $150.
Common Job Titles:
- Systems engineer
- Cloud engineer
- Senior developer
Salary Range: Depending upon the experience level, an AWS Certified Systems Engineer would earn an average salary of $140,000.
6. IT project manager
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification validates that a candidate possesses the required skills for project management and leadership. PMP is globally recognized as the leading skill for project managers.
Certification Process: PMP Certification includes a 4-hour exam with 200 questions, of which only 175 are scored. As a prerequisite for the exam, candidates should possess a secondary (high school or equivalent) degree along with 35 hours of project management education and 7500 hours of leading projects. The exam costs $555.
Other Common Job Titles:
- IT project manager
- IT program manager
Salary Range: A PMP certification can fetch an IT Project Manager an average salary of $104,000.
7. Certified scrum master
Scrum Masters are project managers who provide leadership and direction to help development teams move successfully and promptly using the Agile methodology. This Scrum Master certification affirms that the candidate is fluent in the Agile Scrum methodology and can put scrum into practice. The certification also gives you a two-year membership to Scrum Alliance.
Certification Process: The Certified Scrum Master Certification is created and managed by the Scrum Alliance. They require candidates to attend a two-day Certified Scrum Master workshop, only after which they can sit for the exam. The exam costs $1000.
Common Job Titles:
- Project manager
- Scrum master
Salary Range: The average salary for a Certified Scrum Master is $88,319.
8. Information security analyst
The Certified Informations System Security Professional (CISSP) is a globally recognized and widely desired by IT professionals certification, especially professionals working in the field of IT Security. CISSP is offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 and is designed to prove security expertise.
Certification Process: CISSP is based on eight spheres of systems security including security and risk management, communications and network security, software development security, asset security, security architecture and engineering, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, and security operations. As a prerequisite to the exam, candidates must have a minimum of five years of experience working in at least two of the eight CISSP spheres. The exam costs $699.
Common Job Titles:
- Information security analyst
- Information security officer
Salary Range: A Certified Information Systems Security Professional earns an average salary of $108,000.
9. Information security manager
Candidates with CGEIT certification are well-versed with directing, managing, or supporting IT governance in enterprises. It’s one of the most sought-after IT certification and commands some of the highest salaries.
Certification Process: The CGEIT exam covers 5 areas — framework for the governance of enterprise IT, strategic management, benefits realization, risk optimization, and resource optimization — and comprises of 150 questions. Candidates must have at least 5 years of work experience in IT governance and a minimum of one year’s experience in defining, implementing, and managing a governance framework.
Common Job Title:
- Information security manager
- Senior director, IT
Salary Range: Since professionals with CGEIT certification are high in demand they command an average salary of $136,000.
10. Cloud platform architect
Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect is a newer certification, introduced in 2017, that certifies candidates as an architect on the Google Cloud Platform. Google Cloud Platform Architects possess the ability to design, develop, and manage a secure and scalable cloud architecture on Google’s cloud platform.
Certification Process: The exam has no prerequisites, consists of multiple choice questions, and spans over a period of 2 hours. The exam costs $200.
Common Job Title:
- Cloud platform architect
- Lead cloud systems engineer
Salary Range: The average annual salary offered to a Google certified Cloud Architect is $164,000
2 thoughts on “10 Jobs You Can Get With an IT Certification”
It’s hard to come by well-informed people in this particular topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be exactly
I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you
write regarding here. Again, awesome site!