Top 15 IT certifications in demand for 2022

Average annual salary: $118,000

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is the highest level of certification you can reach in Cisco’s program. The expert-level certifications are offered in specialty areas, including enterprise infrastructure, enterprise wireless, data center, security, service provider, and collaboration. Once you have passed your CCIE exam in your topic of choice, you will have reached the highest level of Cisco certification currently available. Before you can earn your expert-level certification, it’s recommended to have at least five to seven years of experience in the certification subject. 

Average annual salary: $127,000

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certifications will be the next step on your Cisco certification journey after you earn your CCNA. With CCNP, you can choose to be certified in enterprise, data center, security, service provider, collaboration, CyberOps, or DevNet. You’ll need to pass an exam at the CCNP level to move on to the final expert level of certifications. It’s recommended to have at least three to five years of experience in any certification path you choose.

Average annual salary: $98,000

CompTIA A+

The CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level IT certification that covers the foundations of hardware, technical support, and troubleshooting. The certification is designed for those interested in a career as a service desk analyst, help desk tech, technical support specialist, field service technician, help desk technician, associate network engineer, data support technician, desktop support administrator, or end user computing technician. To earn your CompTIA A+ certification you’ll have to pass two separate exams. The CompTIA A+ 220-1001 exam covers mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and network troubleshooting. The CompTIA A+ 220-1002 exam covers installing and configuring operating systems, expanded security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. While it is an entry-level certification, it’s recommended to have at least 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience in the field.

Average annual salary: $65,000

Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert

The Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect certification validates your knowledge of designing cloud and hybrid solutions running on Microsoft Azure, including compute, network, storage, monitoring, and security. Candidates for the exam are recommended to have “advanced experience and knowledge” of Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes. You’ll also need a strong understanding of IT operations, networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platforms, and governance. To earn the expert level certification, you’ll first need to pass the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification exam.

Average annual salary: $119,487

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification scheme consists of several certifications to validate your skills and knowledge using the IT management framework. The certification scheme offers two designation paths to choose from: Managing Professional (MP) or Strategic Leader (SL). You can choose one path or complete both to earn the ITIL Master designation. To start, you’ll first need to pass the ITIL Foundation exam that covers the basics of the ITIL framework. Axelos launched My ITIL along with the release of ITIL 4 as an online networking resource that connects ITIL certified professionals with publications, tools, templates, and insights from industry leaders. If you pass the certification exam, you’ll receive one year of free access to the My ITIL platform.

Average annual salary: $100,000

Oracle MySQL Database Administration

The MySQL Database Administration (CMDBA) certification offered through Oracle University is designed for database administrators who want to prove their skills with increasing performance, integrating business process, and managing business process and data. The certification allows you to “prove your ability to deliver reliability and performance to current and future employers” and to gain “in-demand skills to scale database applications and integrate your business.” Certification paths include Professional, Specialist, and Developer — you will need to pass the MySQL Database Administrator Certified Professional Exam Part 1 and Part 2 to earn your certification.

Average annual salary: $89,000

Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP certification is offered through Project Management Institute and is targeted at advanced project management professionals. The certification covers the fundamentals of project management, including the five main stages of a project’s life cycle: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling and closing. To take the exam, you’ll need at least a four-year degree and three years of experience in project management, 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education. If you have a secondary degree, you’ll need five years of experience, 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.

Average annual salary: $109,000

Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Designer

The Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Designer certification falls under Salesforce’s architect certifications track. This certification exam is offered as a specialization you can take under the Certified Systems Architect certification path. It’s designed for IT pros responsible for assessing the company’s architecture environment and requirements and certifies your ability to implement management solutions on the Salesforce platform.

Average annual salary: $95,000