Top 8 Highest Paying IT Certifications for 2024

Explore the most sought-after certifications amongst aspiring IT professionals, looking to make the best of their careers.

CREDIT: TIM JOHN / SHUTTERSTOCK

Information technology (IT) is a fast-growing domain that offers great career prospects. It promises a lucrative and rewarding career. Whether you are a seasoned tech professional or a recent graduate who wants to launch his/her career in the field, an IT certification can open many doors throughout your career. An IT certification can equip you with the right technical skills to boost your career and prepare you to earn potentially lucrative salaries. Let check out the top 8 IT certifications for the highest paying jobs in 2024 that will enhance your worth and propel you forward in your professional journey. 

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider IT certifications for 2024:

• Increase your knowledge and skills: IT certifications can help you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices in your field. They can also provide a structured learning path that helps you deepen your understanding of specific technologies or areas of expertise.
• Enhance your resume and job prospects: IT certifications can help you stand out in a competitive job market and demonstrate your commitment to your career. They can also give you the skills and knowledge needed to pursue new job opportunities or advance in your current role.
• Boost your credibility and credibility with clients: IT certifications can help you establish yourself as a knowledgeable and trusted professional in your field. This can be especially important when working with clients, as it can help you gain their confidence and trust.
• Increase your earning potential: IT certifications can lead to higher salaries and better job prospects, as they demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your field. According to the Global Knowledge 2021 IT Skills and Salary Report, IT professionals with certifications tend to earn higher salaries than those without them.
• Enhance your professional network: IT certifications can help you connect with other professionals in your field, both through the certification process and through ongoing networking opportunities that may be available through professional organizations or industry events.

Overall, IT certifications can provide a number of benefits for professionals looking to enhance their knowledge, skills, and career prospects. If you’re considering IT certifications for 2024, it’s worth taking the time to research the options available and determine which ones align with your career goals and areas of expertise.

Here is the list of Top 8 Highest Paying IT Certifications for 2024

1. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Certified Professional Cloud Architect

The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Certified Professional – Cloud Architect certification exam is a professional-level certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, develop, and manage solutions on Google Cloud Platform. It is intended for individuals who have experience with GCP and have a strong understanding of cloud computing concepts and practices.

The exam covers a wide range of topics related to GCP, including architecture, product offerings, virtualization, networking, security, cloud computing concepts, and the design and implementation of solutions using GCP services. It also covers topics related to the management and optimization of GCP resources, including cost optimization, monitoring, and automation.

To earn the certification, individuals must pass a multiple-choice exam that is administered by Google. The exam is designed to test an individual’s knowledge and skills in the areas mentioned above. It is a challenging exam that requires a strong understanding of GCP and cloud computing concepts, as well as practical experience using GCP to design and implement solutions.

Holding the GCP Certified Professional – Cloud Architect certification is a valuable asset for professionals who work with GCP, as it demonstrates their expertise and skills in using the platform to design, develop, and manage solutions. It is a widely recognized and respected certification in the industry, and can help professionals advance their careers and increase their earning potential.

How to prepare for the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Certified Professional – Cloud Architect certification exam:

• Understand the overall architecture and product offerings of Google Cloud Platform. This includes understanding how various GCP services such as Compute Engine, Kubernetes Engine, and BigQuery can be used to build, deploy, and manage applications.
• Be familiar with the concepts of virtualization, networking, and security in the context of GCP. This includes understanding VPCs, subnets, firewall rules, and networking protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP.
• Have a good understanding of cloud computing concepts such as scalability, availability, and reliability. This includes being able to design and implement solutions that meet the needs of different workloads.
• Be able to design and implement solutions using GCP services such as Compute Engine, Kubernetes Engine, and Cloud Storage. This includes understanding how to deploy applications using containers and how to use various storage options such as object storage and relational databases.
• Understand how to manage and monitor GCP resources using tools such as Stackdriver. This includes being able to set up alerts, create custom dashboards, and troubleshoot issues.
• Understand how to optimize the cost of GCP resources and how to use billing and budgeting tools. This includes understanding how to set up and manage budgets, and how to use tools such as the Cloud Cost Management API to optimize cost.
• Understand how to use GCP tools and APIs to automate the deployment and management of GCP resources. This includes understanding how to use tools such as Cloud Deployment Manager and Cloud Functions.

Overall, it’s important to have a solid understanding of GCP architecture and product offerings, as well as the concepts and practices of cloud computing in general. It’s also helpful to have practical experience using GCP to design and implement solutions.

What is the prerequisite for taking up Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Certified Professional – Cloud Architect certification exam?

There are no official prerequisites for the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Certified Professional – Cloud Architect certification exam, but Google does recommend that individuals should have at least one year of experience working with GCP, as well as a strong understanding of cloud computing concepts and practices. In addition, Google recommends that individuals have practical experience using GCP to design and implement solutions.

Cloud Architect Salary: As per 6figr, the salary for a Cloud Architect in India ranges between Rs. 10,00,000 per annum and Rs 50,00,000 per annum.

Top Recruiters for Cloud Architects: SAP Deloitte, Simmons, and Red Hat

2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

It is one of the most in-demand IT certifications for 2024. It will continue to top the list in 2024 as more and more companies adopt cloud services leading to a significant need for cloud professionals with specialization in cloud security skills who can leverage the cloud security tools. 

This certification will teach you the essential skills to architect your IT solutions on AWS. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the AWS platform and how to leverage AWS services.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Certification Exam

Once you gain a thorough understanding of the domain, you will have to take up AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate examination that will assess your ability to: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of how to architect and deploy secure applications on AWS technologies.
• Define a solution using architectural design principles.
• Provide implementation guidance based on best practices.

The exam takes about 130 minutes to complete. 

Prerequisites: The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate examination is designed for those who perform a solutions architect role and have over one year of hands-on experience in designing cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS.

AWS Professional Salary: As per PayScale, the average salary of an entry-level AWS Architect in India is around Rs. 4,80,000 per annum and a mid-level AWS Solutions Architect earns an average salary of around  Rs. 18,00,000 per annum.

Top Recruiters for AWS Professionals: Amazon, Netflix, Adobe .

3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification is designed to assess the expertise and knowledge required to develop and manage an enterprise information security program. 

It is designed for information security managers, IT auditors, and IT consultants and managers who support information security program management. 

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Certification Exam 

To achieve this certification, you must pass a 200 question multiple-choice exam. The exam validates your expertise in the following fours areas:

• Information Security Governance
• Program Development And Management
• Incident Management
• Risk Management

Registration can be done on the ISACA website.

Prerequisites: To qualify, you must have five years of verified experience in the information security management field. The work experience must be gained within ten years preceding the application date for certification. Candidates will have five years from the passing date to apply for certification.

Salary: The average salary of a CISM professional in India is Rs. 20,00,000. 

Top Recruiters: Cognizant, Ernst & Young, Cisco

4. PMI – Project Management Professional (PMP)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This certification will validate that you have the capacity to manage projects and project teams.

It is one of the top-paying certifications that will prepare you for the PMP and CAPM exams. It offers a wide range of learning tools, practice questions, and post-learning resources with Project Management Institute (PMI) terminology.

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Exam 

To achieve the PMP certification, you will have to take the PMP examination that will assess you in the following five areas: 

• Initiating
• Planning
• Executing
• Monitoring and Controlling
• Closing

Prerequisites: A four-year degree with 36 months leading projects and 35 hours of project management education/CAPM Certification

OR 

A high school diploma or an associate’s degree with 60 months leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education/CAPM Certification.

Salary: As per PayScale, the average salary of Project Management Professional (PMP) in India is Rs. 17,00,000 per year.

Top Recruiters: Cisco, Ericsson, Microsoft, Accenture 

5. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is another high-demand cybersecurity certification that is intended for experienced security practitioners, managers, and executives who want to prove their knowledge across a wide variety of security practices and principles. CISSP professionals understand vulnerabilities in network systems and create policies to ensure the security of the systems and mitigate risk. 

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification Exam 

This certification will familiarize you with the concepts and industry best practices. Offered by (ISC)2, the CISSP certification exam will evaluate you across the following eight security domains:

• 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

After achieving the certification, you will have to earn Continuous Professional Education (CPE) every year to maintain your credentials.

Prerequisites: To qualify for this cybersecurity certification, you must pass the exam and have a minimum of five years of cumulative, paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains. 

If you don’t have the work experience, then you can still earn the certification by passing the exam while working toward the full certification.

Salary: The average salary of CISSP certified IT professionals in India is Rs. 15,00,000 per year.

Top Recruiters: Ernst & Young, Deloitte, Wipro

6. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

This certification is a foundational certification and a base for a lot of other popular cloud certifications, such as AWS Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, and SysOps Administrator.

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification Exam

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam is designed for those who have the knowledge and skills to demonstrate an overall understanding of the AWS Cloud. It validated the following abilities: 

• Knowledge of core AWS services and AWS architecture best practices.
• Understanding of developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS. 

The exam takes about 90 minutes.

Prerequisites: To qualify for this certification, you must have: 

• At least six months of experience with the AWS Cloud in any role, including technical, managerial, sales, purchasing, or financial.
• Basic understanding of IT services and their uses in the AWS Cloud platform.

Salary: The average salary of AWS Certified Developers in India is Rs. 9,00,000 per year.

Top Recruiters: IBM, Accenture

7. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation

With companies looking to improve their project delivery and service through the use of best practices, there is a huge demand for ITIL certified professionals.  An Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation certification is a great way to get ahead of the competition and improve your chances of getting a better job.

Designed for IT executives, IT architects, IT audit managers, operations managers, and IT managers, the ITIL Foundation certification course will offer an understanding of the ITIL 4 framework, core concepts, and terminologies of the ITIL service lifecycle. It will familiarize you with the ITIL framework and teach you how it can be used to enhance IT service management.

ITIL Foundation Certification Exam

To achieve this foundational certification, you must pass the ITIL exam. It is a 60 minutes test and you need to score at least 65 percent in the exam. This multiple-choice exam consists of 40 questions and you need to obtain at least 26 marks out of 40 to pass the exam. 

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Salary: The average salary of ITIL Foundation certified professionals in India is Rs. 8,75,000 per annum.  

Top Recruiters: Cisco, IBM, Barclays, HP, Disney

8. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification provides knowledge about the basic cloud concepts and services and focuses on topics, such as security, privacy, compliance, and underlying technologies. It is designed for those who come from a non-technical background and are responsible for the procurement, sales, and marketing of Microsoft Azure cloud-based services. 

This certification is intended for those who want to start working with cloud-based solutions and services or are new to Azure. It is the first step on the path to obtaining Microsoft’s role-based certifications. However, it is not a prerequisite.

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification Exam

To achieve this certification, you have to pass AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. This exam will evaluate the following concepts:

• Cloud Concepts
• Core Azure Services
• Core Solutions And Management Tools On Azure
• General Security And Network Security Features
• Identity, Governance, Privacy, And Compliance Features
• Azure Cost Management And Service Level Agreements

Salary: A Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certified professional can earn an average salary of Rs. 9,00,000 per year.

Top Recruiters: Accenture, Capgemini, IBM, Microsoft

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