7 IT Certifications That Will Take Your Career to the Next Level

As businesses continue to become more reliant on technology, tech professionals continue to see high demand – and high salaries – for their skills.  However, competition for the best jobs can be fierce and it is necessary to take steps to make yourself stand out. Certifications are a way to prove your knowledge base and expertise to an employer. If you’re looking to take your IT career to the next level, here are seven certifications that can help you land a job and command a higher salary.

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

MCSE has been a popular certification for several decades and it is ideal for tech pros who work with servers, private cloud networks, data systems, enterprise devices, storage, business applications and enterprise networking.  There are many disciplines to choose from within the MCSE umbrella for systems admins, systems engineers, network admins and IT managers.  According PayScale.com, average salaries for MCSE certification range from $50,000 to $145,000.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

The MCSD certification is focused on apps for Windows products and is well-suited for software engineers, architects, developers and programmers who work for companies that use custom and proprietary applications. Average salaries for MCSD certification  range from $50,000 to $150,000 per year.

3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Tech pros who build, design and manage enterprise security systems will benefit from CISM certification. It is best-suited for information security managers, security analysts, security architects and other security pros with at least five years of experience.  Average salaries for CISMs range from $59,000 to $225,000 per year.

4. VCP6-DCV

This VMWare certification is designed for systems administrators, systems engineers and IT managers who are already VCP certified and who want to prove their skills in troubleshooting vSphere V6 infrastructure. PayScale reports that average annual salaries for VCP certification range from $48,000 to $126,000.

5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

IT administrators, systems engineers and developers who have several years of experience with Amazon Web Services and already hold an AWS Certified Solutions Architect credential will benefit from AWS Cloud Solutions Architect – Professional certification. Salaries can swing significantly in this field but the median annual salary according to recent data is around $125,000.

6. Project Management Professional (PMP)

PMP certification is the gold standard for project management certifications. Gaining PMP status is intensive. Candidates need a four-year degree, three years of experience in project management, 4500 hours of time in project leadership and 35 hours of project management education before they are granted permission to take the exam. Candidates without a four-year degree require even more hours. The average salary for PMPs ranges from $58,000 through $177,000 per year.

7. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

The agile methodology is becoming increasingly popular for software and hardware development. A CSM demonstrates expertise in Scrum, the management framework used to execute agile. PayScale reports that average salaries for CSMs start at $56,000 and can go as high as $142,000 per year.

If you are an experienced IT professional looking to take the next step in your career, partner with the tech recruiting experts at Talon. Contact us today to jumpstart your job search and start earning more.