IT professionals need to keep pace with the new developments in the rapidly changing field of information technology. Certification courses in the upcoming fields like cloud computing, networking, and security not only help them advance their IT career but also enable them to earn a better paycheck. If you are overwhelmed by the sheer number of courses and specializations offered, we are here to help you. We will tell you about the highest paying IT certification courses that will be in demand in the year 2018. These top paying IT certifications will testify your knowledge and ability to use a particular technology and play a specific IT role. It will differentiate you from the other competing candidates in the job market. With a proof that one has up to date skills, a certified professional can command a higher salary than the other counterparts. It shows your commitment to the IT career and helps in career advancement.

Though your current job, career goals, and interests will determine the certification course that suits you, here we present you top 10 paying IT certification courses online for 2018 that will guide you in the right direction.

Top 10 Highest Paying IT Courses, Jobs in 2018

1. PMP certification Course Online

Administered by the Project Management Institute, PMP certification Online is the most sought-after course among IT professionals. With the ability to apply the Project management principles one can gain a firm foothold in management level positions across various industries. This certification exam tests your knowledge across various stages of the life cycle to project- initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. It validates your skills as a project manager; that you can manage teams, time and budget effectively. PMP exam has stringent prerequisites of thousands of hours of leadership experience, 4500-7500 hours of project management experience (based on educational qualification) and formal project management education of 35 hours. The exam questions are based on real-world scenarios where one needs to apply the theoretical knowledge learned. On an average, a PMP certified professional earns $105,324 per year.

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2. AWS Certification (AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate) Online

AWS has become the entry point for those seeking a career in the cloud architecture space. As the world is moving towards the cloud platform, a certification course helps you expand your expertise in this area. It validates that you have advanced technical skills needed to effectively design, deploy and operate scalable applications and infrastructure on AWS. It enhances your career prospects and gives you an upper hand during salary negotiations. On an average, an AWS certified professional earns $120,000 per year. An AWS certified Solution Architect-Associate is suited for individuals who have at least 6 months experience in designing distributed applications on the AWS platform. The exam consists of 60 questions that test one’s expertise in designing and deploying applications on AWS, estimating AWS costs and identifying cost control measures.

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3. Hadoop Admin

As businesses across various industry verticals are embracing Big data, Hadoop Admin is becoming a popular IT skill that most professionals want to develop. There is a huge gap in the demand and availability of expert Hadoop talent. So a certification in Hadoop Admin Course will certainly increase your marketability. As companies scramble through thousands of resume, the candidates with a formal Hadoop Admin certification will definitely be at an advantage. It is a proof that you have hands-on experience of working on real projects and the capability to work with various components of Hadoop ecosystem.

4. Digital Marketing

A Digital marketing certification course is a must for someone who is looking for a career in this field. This certification helps employers differentiate between people who have the right skill set from those who just falsely claim to have the knowledge in this domain. A certification course is proof that you have real-life experience in launching and executing digital marketing campaigns. It shows that you are up to date with the latest digital marketing tools and techniques needed to build effective strategies. It is a must for people who want to kickstart their digital marketing career, as it makes you job ready.

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5. Data Analytics/Science (Big Data Analytics)

As the competition stiffens, organizations are turning to specialists who can analyze and interpret data to identify new opportunities for their products and develop effective strategies. Data Analytics has, in fact, become a top priority for businesses looking for growth. And therefore the demand for data analysts has increased manifold. A certified professional in this field gets 50% more pay than his counterparts as he is easily able to win the trust of the employers. Since the data analytics professionals form an integral part of business decisions and strategies, organizations want to make sure that they hire nothing but the best.

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

CRISC is an ideal certification for risk professionals who face unique challenges of IT and enterprise risk management. This certification will enable them to become strategic partners, understand the business risk and implement appropriate IS controls. If you undergo this assessment you will get a valid stamp on your resume that you have the knowledge and expertise to manage IT risks. If you are already working in this field, this exam will give you a competitive edge over your peers. The certification is offered by a non-profit group ISACA. 150 MCQs test various areas including Risk Identification, Risk Assessment, Response and Mitigation, Control Monitoring and Reporting. The prerequisite for taking this exam is to have a minimum 3 years of experience in at least two of the above-mentioned subject areas. More than 18,000 people have undergone this certification course worldwide. But the demand for such professionals is much more. That is why it is one of the highest paying certification courses.

Reference: Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) – $131,298

7. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The CISM exam is ideal for information security managers, aspiring managers and IT professionals involved in information security, assurance, risk management and governance. It validates their skills and experience in the field of information security management and proves that they can develop security programs and practices that prevent security breaches. It is, in fact, a globally recognized and accepted standard of achievement in this area.The 200 MCQs in the exam test one’s knowledge on various subject areas like Information security management, Information risk management and compliance, Information security program development and management and Information security incident management. One also needs at least 5 years of experience in the IS field with 3 years of management experience. This can be gained within 10 years prior to the application date or even within 5 years after clearing the exam. A CISM certified professional earns 45% more than the non-certified counterparts.

8. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)  

CISSP exam is offered by International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, which is non-profit organization specializing in IT security. This exam is an awidely accredited evaluation of one’s knowledge in the information security field. With this credential on your resume, you can definitely gain credibility that you can design, implement and manage the security strategies and protect the business from security breaches. Employers can easily trust that you have the technical prowess and expertise to design suitable policies to take care of information security needs of the organization. The test comprising of 250 MCQs is based on eight areas in security including security and risk management, communications and network security, software development security, asset security, security engineering, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, and security operations.

9. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) 

As cybersecurity has gained importance, so has the role of system auditors who understand ways of protecting and auditing IT systems. CISA is ideal for people interested in IS Auditing, IS Controls and IS security. One needs 5 years of experience in these fields to qualify for this certification. The experience can be gained 10 years prior to the application date or within 5 years from the date of passing the exam. Today all companies are heavily dependent on IT systems irrespective of the type of industry. These companies look for certified professionals to fill the roles of auditing, controlling and monitoring IT systems. CISA is offered by Information Systems Audit and Control Association. This certification confirms that the individual is competent and qualified to handle this role efficiently. It is recognized globally and therefore it helps people who want to pursue a career overseas as well.

10. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) – Server Infrastructure 

Earning a credential in MCSE certifies that you have the technical skills and expertise to perform complex roles in Microsoft technologies. It acquaints you with the recent developments in this field and prepares you for a lucrative job opportunity in this domain. So if you want to advance your career and earn a higher pay in a role that requires building, deploying and operating Microsoft based systems, then this is the certification that you should go for.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a validation of your skills and expertise that will not only help you advance in your career path but also command a higher salary than others, then these are the certification courses to pursue in the year 2018. Select the course that best suits your current skill set and gains a competitive edge over your counterparts.

Best references:

15 Top Paying IT Certifications, Top Paying IT Certifications