Ranking: Top 10 Highest-Paying IT Certificates in 2020 | Guidable - Your Guide to a Sustainable, Wellbeing-centred Life in Japan

Ranking: Top 10 Highest-Paying IT Certificates in 2020

By Tony Tao Aug 24, 2020

This post is also available in: Vietnamese

The list for top 10 highest-paying IT certificates in 2020

For this year 2020, the average salary for IT jobs is gradually increasing, and the demand for a higher quality of IT certificates is rising as well. 

The following ten certificates are based on data from Global Knowledge, a course and development solutions provider. The data changes every year, so the list below is optimal for 2020.

10. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Relegated from 7th place last year to 10th this year, ITIL is still considered as one of the most popular frameworks in the world of information technology management. This exam has been held for 30 years. ITIL includes best practices for IT services according to the demands of prominent corporations, and contains a list of essential disciplines such as IT operations, risk management, and capacity management… The goal is to control and reduce IT costs, improve IT services, and balance IT resources.

The ITIL Foundation is the entry point for certification and provides learners with a general understanding of the IT service life cycle. ITIL Foundation-certified managers can earn an average of $129,402 (~13,700,000 yen) a year.

9. VCP-DCV: VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization

VCP-DCV 6 provides needed skills to build virtual infrastructure by using VMware vSphere 6. Candidates will learn how to deploy, consolidate, and administer virtualization technologies, such as vSphere High Availability and Distributed Resource Scheduler.

IT professionals with this certification can earn around $130,226 (~13,800,000 yen) a year.

8. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 

Making it to the top 10 for the first time of this year, AWS Cloud Practitioner is the starting point for many standard cloud certifications, including AWS Solutions Architect, Programmers, DevOps Engineers, and SysOps Administrator.

This certification platform is designed for professionals seeking a general understanding of AWS cloud services. As an entry-level certification, it is often chosen by individuals at the starting point of their careers as a stepping-stone for more specialized AWS certifications after. With the increase in demand for cloud management and AWS this year, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner programs will continue to rise.

AWS Cloud Certified Practitioner provides the ability to define necessary cloud infrastructure and key services of the AWS platform. According to Global Knowledge, more than 12% of IT professionals in the US plan to achieve this certification by 2020. They expect to earn an average of $131,465 (~13,920,000) a year.

7. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) 

CISA is one of the most common certifications providing skills in audit, risk management, and network security. IT professionals with CISA are recruited to maintain the security of vital company’s critical assets.

The jobs for this certification are IT auditors, and the average salary they receive is $132,278 (~14,000,000).

6. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) 

If you work in analysis, auditing, systems engineering, or anything related, CISSP will be a suitable certificate. This degree will help you become an information security specialist who is primarily responsible for determining how to build, manage, design, and control to ensure your company’s security.

You must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience to get this degree. The expected salary will be around $141,452 (~15,000,000 yen) a year.

5. Project Management Professional (PMP) 

The PMP certification is established and managed by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is one of the most recognized project management certifications available today.

Before you can take the exam, however, you will have to complete at least 35 hours of training. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you will need 4,500 hours of project management experience (those without a degree will need 7,500 hours). Achieving PMP certification may take years, but it is precious. Your expected salary will be $143,493 (~15,200,000 yen) per year.

4. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) 

The exam has four main sections: Identification, Evaluation, Response, and Mitigation, just like Monitoring and Reporting. CRISC is almost an industry-best reflection of innovation, focusing on assessing information technology risks in business.

This job can generate an average income of $146,480 (~15,500,000 yen) a year. The test has 150 questions and lasts about 4 hours.

3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) 

This is the highest-paying major with a primary focus on information security management. Your job will be to design a company’s security protocols and manage the security network of a company. In addition to information technology, you will have access to other disciplines and work with other corporate stakeholders.

Global Knowledge says you can earn $148,622 (~15,740,000) a year on average as a director of security management. You will have to go through 200 questions in the test with topics such as information security management, information risk management, and incident management.

2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate

This test is about system designing on AWS. If you have hands-on experience in AWS services and being familiar with designing large-scale distributed systems, this is the certification you are looking for. 

To achieve this certificate, candidates must pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C01) test. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is a prerequisite. AWS also requires at least one year of experience designing practical systems on AWS before taking the certification exam. The test takes 80 minutes and is supervised by PSI centers. You will make an average of $149,446 (~15,820,000 yen) a year.

1. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect

First launched in 2017, this certification has topped the list for two consecutive years, and IT professionals will be certified as Google Cloud Architect (GCP). Completing this certification means you’ll be able to design, develop, and manage Google’s cloud architecture using GCP technologies.

Achieving this certification requires you to have an in-depth knowledge of solutions that are dealt with in different situations. Cloud skills are in high demand. Mastering Google tools for secure, scalable solutions will be critical for most companies in the foreseeable future. Those who achieve this certificate can earn $175,761 (~18,600,000 yen) a year.

Which IT certificates you have?

If you are an IT engineer, you will prefer to improve your ability by trying to achieve high paying certificates, especially during this year. When the Corona Virus is taking over, this is a great time to take a few stepbacks and improve your working ability.