IT Certifications That Pay Well In 2023
This blog covers:
1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Candidates for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification should have subject matter expertise in designing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, including compute, network, storage, monitoring, and security. Responsibilities for this role include advising stakeholders and translating business requirements into designs for secure, scalable, and reliable Azure solutions. An Azure solutions architect partners with developers, administrators, and other roles responsible for implementing solutions on Azure.
Exam Code: AZ: 305
Number of questions:Â 40-60 questionsÂ
Type of Questions:Â Multiple-choice QuestionsÂ
Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Russian, Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Indonesian (Indonesia)
Retirement date: None
Cost:Â $165 USD
Passing score: 700
- Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions
- Design data storage solutions
- Design business continuity solutions
- Design infrastructure solutions
2. Microsoft Azure Data Engineer
Azure data engineers are helpful in the working of the stakeholders. They make the working and processing of data easier through data exploration, and they build and maintain secure and compliant data processing pipelines with the help of different tools and techniques. These professionals utilize a variety of Azure data services and frameworks for the storage and production of cleansed and enhanced datasets for analysis. This data store can be used for different architecture patterns based on business needs.
Exam Name:Â Microsoft Certified – Azure Data Engineer Associate
Exam Code: DP-203
Exam Price:Â $165 (USD)
Duration: 150 mins
Number of Questions:Â 40-60
Passing Score:Â 700 / 1000
- Design and implement data storage (15–20%)
- Develop data processing (40–45%)
- Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing (30–35%)
3. AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty
The AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty certification is intended for individuals who perform complex Big Data analyses with at least two years of experience using AWS technology.
Exam Code: BDS-C00
Format:Â Multiple-choice, multiple answers
Type:Â Specialty
Delivery Method: Testing center
Time: 170 minutes to complete the exam
Cost: 300 USD
Language: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
- Implement core AWS Big Data services according to basic architecture best practices
- Design and maintain Big Data
- Leverage tools to automate data analysis.
Read more: AWS Certifications Roadmap
4. AWS Certified Security – Specialty
This credential helps organizations identify and develop talent with critical skills for implementing cloud initiatives. Earning AWS Certified Security – Specialty validates expertise in securing data and workloads in the AWS Cloud.
Level:Â Specialty
Length:Â 170 minutes to complete the exam
Cost: 300 USD
Format:Â 65 questions; either multiple choice or multiple responses.
Delivery method: Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam.
Languages: English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Latin America).
- Incident ResponseÂ
- Logging and MonitoringÂ
- Infrastructure SecurityÂ
- Identity and Access ManagementÂ
- Data Protection
5. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional highlights a candidate’s technical skills in provisioning, operating, and managing distributed application systems on the AWS platform, giving them enhanced confidence and expertise with peers, stakeholders, and customers. Organizations with these certified professionals can guarantee speedy delivery of secure, compliant systems that are highly available and scalable.
Exam Code: DOP-C02
Level: Professional
Length: 180 minutes to complete the exam
Cost: 300 USD
Format: 75 questions, either multiple choice or multiple responses.
Delivery method: Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam
Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
- SDLC Automation
- Configuration Management and IaC
- Resilient Cloud Solutions
- Monitoring and Logging
- Incident and Event Response
- Security and Compliance
6. ITIL® 4 Foundation Certification
ITIL 4 Foundation introduces an end-to-end operating model for the creation, delivery and continual improvement of technology-enabled products and services.
ITIL 4 Foundation is for anyone who needs to understand the key concepts of IT and digital service delivery, and who is interested in helping their organization embrace the new service management culture. It is for professionals at the start of their ITIL 4 journey or people looking to update their existing ITIL knowledge.
Exam Code:Â ITIL 4 Foundation
Number of Questions:Â 40 questions
Type of Questions:Â Multiple choice
Passing Marks: 26 out of 40 marks are required to pass (65%)
Exam Time:Â 60 minutes
- How modern IT and digital service organizations operate
- How value streams increase speed and efficiency
- How cultural or behavioural principles guide work that benefits the wider organization
- How to use commonly-used service management terms and concepts
7. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is the most globally recognized certification in the information security market. CISSP validates an information security professional’s deep technical and managerial knowledge and experience to effectively design, engineer, and manage the overall security posture of an organization.
Exam Code:Â CISSP
Number of questions:Â 150 questionsÂ
Type of questions:Â Multiple-choice questionsÂ
Exam time:Â 180 minutes or 3 hours
Passing score:Â 70%
- Security and Risk Management
- Asset Security
- Security Architecture and Engineering
- Communication and Network Security
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Security Assessment and Testing
- Security Operations
- Software Development Security
Read More: A Complete Guide to CISSP Certifications Â
8. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
(ISC)² developed the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) credential to ensure that cloud security professionals have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities in cloud security design, implementation, architecture, operations, controls, and compliance with regulatory frameworks. A CCSP applies information security expertise to a cloud computing environment and demonstrates competence in cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration. This professional competence is measured against a globally recognized body of knowledge.
Exam Code: CCSP
Length of exam:Â 4 hours
Number of items: Â 150
Item format:Â Multiple choice
Passing grade: 700 out of 1000 points
Exam language availability: English, Chinese, German, Korean, Japanese, Spanish
Testing center Pearson VUE Testing Center
- Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design
- Cloud Data Security
- Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security
- Cloud Application Security
- Cloud Security Operations
- Legal, Risk and Compliance
Read more: Critical Analysis of CISSP vs CCSP
9. Cisco Certified Network Professional
When you earn your CCNP Enterprise certification, you’re proving that you can scale and maintain enterprise networks to ensure they can continue to meet growing demand.
Showcase your knowledge of enterprise infrastructure, virtualization, assurance, security, and automation on the ENCOR exam and showcase your specialist skills in a concentration exam of your choice. Pass both exams to earn your certification.
350-401 ENCOR exam
Test your knowledge of core enterprise network technologies and take another step towards your CCNP Enterprise certification.
About the ExamÂ
Cisco Exam Number:Â CCNP ENCOR 350-401
Number of Questions:Â 100
Duration:Â 120 minutes
Pass Score:Â 825/1000Â (82%)
Cost:Â 400 USD
300-410 ENARSI
Test your ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot enterprise networks, including advanced routing and infrastructure technologies, Layer 3, and VPN services.
300-415 ENSDWI
Verify your skills with Cisco’s SD-WAN solution, including SD-WAN architecture, controller deployment, policies, and security.
300-420 ENSLD
Prove your knowledge of enterprise design, including advanced addressing and routing solutions, advanced enterprise campus networks, WAN, security services, network services and SDA.
300-425 ENWLSD
Exhibit your knowledge of wireless network design, including site surveys, wired and wireless infrastructure, mobility, and WLAN high availability.
300-430 ENWLSI
Demonstrate your skills with wireless network implementation, including FlexConnect, QoS, Multicast, advanced location services, security, monitoring, and device hardening.
300-435 ENAUTO
Showcase your ability to implement enterprise automated solutions including programming concepts, Python programming, APIs, controllers, and automation tools.
10. Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder
The Salesforce Platform App Builder credential is designed for individuals who would like to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in designing, building, and deploying custom applications using the declarative customization capabilities of the Lightning Platform. The candidate can create, manage, and update data models, application security, business logic, and process automation.
Exam Code: Salesforce Platform APP Builder
Content:Â 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and 5 non-scored questions
Time allotted to complete the exam:Â 105 minutes
Passing score: 63%
Registration fee: USD 200, plus applicable taxes as required per local law
- Salesforce Fundamentals
- Data Modeling and Management
- Business Logic and Process Automation
- User Interface
- App Deploymen
Read more: How much Salesforce Certifications CostÂ
11. Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator
The Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator program is designed for individuals who have the expertise of a seasoned Salesforce Administrator. The program encompasses the breadth of applications, the features and functions available to an end-user, and the advanced configuration, management, and application extending options available to an Administrator across the Salesforce platform.
Exam Code: ADM-211
Number of Questions: 60 multiple-choice
Type of Questions: Multiple-select questions and 5 non-scored questions
Time allotted to complete the exam:Â 105 minutes
Passing score:Â 65%
Registration fee: USD 200 plus applicable taxes as required per local law
- Security and Access
- Objects and Applications
- Auditing and Monitoring
- Cloud Applications
- Data and Analytics Management
- Environment Management and Deployment
- Process Automation
Read more: Salesforce Admin Certification Exam Guide
12. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is the first security certification a candidate should earn. It establishes the core knowledge required of any cybersecurity role and provides a springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs. Security+ incorporates best practices in hands-on troubleshooting, ensuring candidates have practical security problem-solving skills.
Exam Code: SY0-601
Number of Questions: Maximum of 90 questions
Type of Questions: Multiple-choice and performance-based
Length of Test: 90 minutes
Passing Score: 750 (on a scale of 100-900)
Languages: English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Portuguese
Retirement:Â Usually three years after launchÂ
Price:Â $392Â
- Attacks, Threats and Vulnerabilities
- Architecture and Design
- Implementation
- Operations and Incident Response
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance
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13. PMI Certified - Project Management Professional (PMP)
Professionals who have earned the PMP certification are knowledgeable to provide the professional skills and expertise necessary to lead project teams and attain successful project outcomes. Earning this course helps the project leader to demonstrate that he has the specific skills employers seek, like dedication, caliber, and the capacity to perform at the utmost levels.
Exam Name: Project Management Professional (PMP)
Exam time: 230 minutes
Number of Questions: 180 questions
Type of Questions: Some multiple choice
Experience Required: 3+ years
- PeopleÂ
- ProcessÂ
- Business environmentÂ
What Should Be My Next Move?
As you have learned all the popular and highest-paying IT credentials, the next step is to determine that which certification is suitable for you by comparing the key learnings of each certification against your skills, talents, and preferences. Once you are aware of the IT certifications, it will be helpful for you to pursue a suitable career.
Secondly, find out if your qualification is useful for your area of interest. If you have the expertise and training needed to pass the certification exam, you can start working towards getting certified. Once you’ve earned your certification, you can finally add that achievement to your résumé.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which IT certification is best for me?
There are many good IT certifications. Specific providers are known for providing special credentials. Like Cisco is famous for providing networking certifications and Salesforce is best known for its administrative credentials. So, whatever your interest is, you must opt a certification accordingly.
Why should I earn a certification?
To increase knowledge, develop skills, and succeed in a career, certification is crucial. The only way to command a greater salary from your peers is to become a certified expert in your chosen subject.
How long do short certificate programs last?
The length of the certificates vary depending on the course. A high-skilled certification might last up to a few months, while the simplest basic certification can last only a few hours. Normally, a certification lasts for 3 to 5 weeks.
How can a short certificate program lead to a lucrative salary?
Short certificate programs let you think more strategically and advance more quickly than your competitors. With more experience and expertise, you can quickly climb the ladder to a high wage package. The likelihood of promotion to higher-level employment is lower for those without certifications.