It's no longer sufficient for IT personnel to "understand computers."
Do you want to see how certifications' perceived value has changed over time? This is a quote from the first Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report, published in 2008: "Many articles and discussions have been written about the utility of certification, and employer support for certification appears to be mixed."
According to 93 percent of IT decision-makers, a qualified team member adds value above and above the cost of certification.
It's incredible how much a decade can change things. According to the Global Knowledge 2020 research, 93 percent of IT decision-makers agree that a certified team member adds value above and above the cost of certification. Increased productivity and speedier troubleshooting are two of these values, which are critical in today's tech environment as skill gaps continue to expand.
In the computer business, certifications are regarded as the pinnacle of achievement. That's a significant shift from a decade ago when many IT professionals didn't see the value of certification.
The Value of a Certification Has Increased Dramatically
When survey results from 12 years of Global Knowledge's report are analyzed, the data shows a significant increase in demand for certification training.
In 2008, 9% of those polled stated that the primary reason they train is to prepare for certification. By 2020, that percentage will have climbed to 45 percent.
Only 38% of IT professionals had at least one certification in 2008. Eighty-five percent will be approved by 2020.
In 2008, 42% of those polled stated they planned to pursue certification in the coming year. By 2020, 66 percent of people will have either pursued accreditation or are in the process of doing so.
Currently, 69 percent of those who responded to our study have several IT certifications. Because the tech industry is so competitive, professionals often plan years ahead of time for their next certifications.
Certifications Are Beneficial
Employers aren't the only ones who profit from increased certification training. Certified IT professionals in the United States and Canada will earn an average income of $111,334 in 2020, 7% higher than non-certified professionals. Certifications are worthwhile to pursue as long as the training is career-relevant.
However, over the course of our reporting, the top-paying certifications have shifted slightly. The highest-paying certification in 2008 was Project Management Professional (PMP®), which paid $101,698. PMP® is still a popular and lucrative certification, with salaries ranking second in the United States and seventh globally. However, since 2014, cloud and cybersecurity certifications have risen to the top of our highest-paying lists.
With an average yearly compensation of $152,129 in the United States and Canada this year, Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect is the highest-paying qualification. AWS certificates also make an appearance in our top 10, with AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate placing fourth, AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate fifth, and AWS Developer – Associate sixth in terms of pay.
Despite the fact that cloud certifications were not included in our rankings a decade ago, cloud incomes remain the highest in the world by job function (excluding CEOs).
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified in Risk Systems and Control (CRISC) certificates from ISACA made it into our top ten most lucrative certifications. CISM is in second place with $132,919, and CRISC is in eighth place with $128,556.
See our Ultimate Guide to Top Paying IT Certifications 2022
The Most Popular Cybersecurity, ITIL®, Cisco, and Microsoft
The popularity of various certifications has remained constant over the last ten years. Microsoft certificates dominated in 2008. A Microsoft certification was possessed by nearly 35% of respondents. Project Management came in second with 16.3 percent.
Microsoft is still popular after 11 years and 12 reports—21% of respondents have at least one Microsoft certification. This places it below cybersecurity, ITIL, and Cisco as the fourth most popular certification category.
Thirty-one percent of global respondents have a cybersecurity certification, with an average annual pay of $96,308. ITIL and IT service management certifications are held by 21% of IT workers, with the ITIL Foundation certification being the most popular and sought-after.
A Cisco certification is held by 19% of respondents, with the most common being CCNA, which is held by 11% of all respondents.
Employers' Perspectives on IT
Over the course of our reporting, management's attitude on IT training has altered significantly. Only 35% of decision-makers agreed that certificates resulted in more successful employees in 2011. Managers nowadays are almost unified in their support.
In an economy where skills gaps are expanding, the additional talents that certified individuals bring to the table are certainly a welcome bonus. When asked how much money a certified employee saves compared to a non-certified employee, 63 percent of IT decision-makers claimed it's more than $10,000 per year. The cost of the certification exam plus prep fees, according to 22% of respondents, is more than $30,000, greatly above the cost of the certification exam and prep fees.
Although the benefits of certification are now evident, there was once widespread doubt of its value and of IT in general. Organizations used to regard IT as a necessary evil, according to Daniel Cummins, Global Knowledge Technical Instructor of Networking and Security.
"Business owners didn't comprehend it, but they recruited individuals who 'understood computers' to manage assistance because they required technology to do their jobs," Cummins said.
According to Cummins, the rising frequency of major security breaches has compelled firms to pay greater attention to IT departments. Many firms' search for qualified and certified IT employees has become a driving factor.
"Knowing computers was no longer enough," Cummins explained. "Right now, we're on the lookout for expertise."
Having a certification may no longer be sufficient. A certification used to be proof of knowledge without the necessity for a full degree, according to Cummins, but he's noticed a shift in recent years.
He stated, "I'm seeing a tendency toward degrees and certifications now." "Employers prefer candidates with a four-year bachelor's degree in a related field as well as expert-level certifications."
Experts are required in greater numbers.
Building new abilities is the most common motivation for IT professionals to learn year after year. Preparing for a certification exam is traditionally ranked second.
The two are inextricably linked. Experts with a variety of skill sets are required in every IT area, therefore certification value stays high. This tendency is likely to continue as the industry is impacted by rapid innovation.
For a variety of reasons, certifications, particularly in cybersecurity and cloud computing, have gained in prominence. Security breaches are growing in magnitude and scope, and it's no longer a question of if but when businesses will use the cloud. Recruiting appropriate candidates for these two distinct functional areas is likewise a challenge for decision-makers.
In the case of cloud computing, rapid market growth is creating new positions, forcing traditional IT professionals to retrain and job seekers to learn new skills. Supply has failed to catch up to demand for skill, much like cybersecurity.
According to our research, 38% of IT decision-makers are having trouble finding cybersecurity specialists, while 34% are having trouble finding cloud expertise. Nearly 70% of people feel hiring is somewhat or extremely tough in general.
Make a roadmap for your IT certifications
Clearly, certification has a favorable impact on both the organization and the individual's career. We've compiled a list of resources to assist you on your certification journey.
Check out Top 10 Highest-Paying Certifications Required for Success in 2022 if you've decided to get certified but want to make sure you get a verified certification that will last.
Pathways to certification
Certification tracks lay out the processes and courses you'll need to get a certification in an easy-to-follow format.
Certifications take a lot of time and effort, so make sure you're completely informed about the courses and test prep options available, as well as what's necessary and optional.
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