By the end of this article, youâll know exactly which certification to pursue based on your career goals, budget, and timeline. No fluff, no âit dependsââjust data.
The IT certification market has exploded. There are now hundreds of credentials to choose from, each promising career advancement and higher salaries. Some deliver. Many donât. The difference between a $500 investment that boosts your salary by $20,000 and one that sits unused on your resume comes down to choosing strategically.
Hereâs what the data shows about which certifications actually matter in 2026.
Quick Decision Framework
Before diving into specifics, hereâs a rapid filter:
Want your first IT job? Start with CompTIA A+.
Want to break into cloud? AWS Solutions Architect Associate has the broadest job market.
Want to specialize in security? Security+ is mandatory for government work and most entry-level security roles.
Want maximum salary jump? CISSP or AWS Solutions Architect Professional both push past $150K.
Have 2+ years experience and want to level up? Cloud certifications (AWS/Azure) consistently deliver the highest ROI.
Now letâs break down the details.
The Certifications That Actually Get You Hired
Not all certifications carry equal weight with employers. According to Robert Halfâs 2026 Salary Guide, 87% of technology leaders offer higher pay for candidates with these specific certification categories:
- AI, machine learning, and data science (59% of hiring managers prioritize)
- Cybersecurity (52%)
- Cloud computing (mentioned alongside security as top priorities)
Three CompTIA certifications consistently rank in the top 10 most requested: A+, Cloud+, and Security+. But the cloud platformsâAWS, Azure, and Google Cloudâdominate the high-salary positions.
The reality check: certified professionals earn 30% higher salaries on average compared to their non-certified peers in the same roles. Nearly all IT leaders surveyed agreed that certified staff add $30,000+ in value annually.
Entry-Level Certifications: Starting Your IT Career
If youâre breaking into IT with little or no experience, these certifications give you the best chance of landing interviews.
CompTIA A+ (The Standard Entry Point)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | $530 ($265 Ă 2 exams) |
| Time to Prepare | 2-4 months |
| Jobs Unlocked | Help desk, IT support, desktop technician |
| Salary Range | $40,000-$55,000 entry level |
| Prerequisites | None |
A+ remains the gold standard for proving baseline competency. It covers hardware troubleshooting, operating systems, networking basics, and security fundamentals. Most help desk job postings either require it or list it as âpreferred.â
The two-exam format tests both practical troubleshooting (Core 1) and software/operational skills (Core 2). If you can only afford one certification right now, A+ gives you the most job options at entry level.
Study resources: Professor Messer offers free video content. Paid options like CBT Nuggets and Pluralsight provide more structured learning paths.
Google IT Support Professional Certificate (The Budget Alternative)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | ~$234 total ($39/month on Coursera) |
| Time to Complete | 6 months part-time |
| Jobs Unlocked | IT support, help desk |
| Salary Range | $40,000-$50,000 entry level |
| Prerequisites | None |
Googleâs certificate is cheaper and faster than A+. It covers similar groundâtroubleshooting, networking, operating systems, security. The tradeoff: itâs not as universally recognized. Some employers treat it as equivalent to A+; others prefer the CompTIA certification.
For a detailed comparison, see our breakdown of CompTIA A+ vs. Google IT Certificate.
AWS Cloud Practitioner (Cloud Entry Point)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | $100 |
| Time to Prepare | 1-2 months |
| Jobs Unlocked | Junior cloud roles, IT support with cloud exposure |
| Salary Range | $50,000-$65,000 |
| Prerequisites | None |
If you know you want to work in cloud, Cloud Practitioner provides a lower barrier to entry than A+. Itâs Amazonâs foundational cert that proves you understand cloud concepts, AWS services, and basic architecture. The exam is straightforward if youâve spent time in the AWS Free Tier building simple projects.
Worth noting: Cloud Practitioner alone wonât land you cloud engineering jobs. Itâs a stepping stone to the Solutions Architect Associate certification, which is where the real job market opens up.
Cloud Certifications: Where the Money Is
Cloud skills command premium salaries because demand outpaces supply. With 92% of enterprises operating multi-cloud environments, professionals who understand AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud have real leverage.
AWS Certifications
AWS holds roughly 32% of the cloud marketâmore than Azure and Google Cloud combined. This translates to more job postings and broader opportunities.
| Certification | Cost | Average Salary | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Practitioner | $100 | $50K-$65K | Entry point, career changers |
| Solutions Architect Associate | $150 | $100K-$125K | Most job opportunities |
| Solutions Architect Professional | $300 | $155K-$170K | Senior architects |
| DevOps Engineer Professional | $300 | $150K-$165K | DevOps/SRE roles |
| Security Specialty | $300 | $170K-$200K+ | Cloud security engineers |
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Best ROI pick: Solutions Architect Associate. At $150, it unlocks the broadest range of mid-level cloud positions. The salary jump from Cloud Practitioner to Solutions Architect Associate is often $40,000+.
AWS provides a 50% discount voucher after passing any exam, valid for 12 months. If youâre planning to earn multiple AWS certs, sequence mattersâpass your first exam before scheduling the next to save money.
For a complete roadmap, see our AWS Certification Path Guide.
Azure Certifications
Microsoft Azure powers 95% of Fortune 500 companies. If youâre targeting enterprise environments or already work in a Microsoft shop, Azure certifications carry real weight.
| Certification | Cost | Average Salary | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | $99 | $50K-$60K | Entry point |
| Administrator Associate (AZ-104) | $165 | $105K-$125K | IT admins moving to cloud |
| Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) | $330+ | $153K-$160K | Senior architects |
| Security Engineer (AZ-500) | $165 | $125K-$150K | Cloud security roles |
| AI Engineer (AI-102) | $165 | $130K-$155K | AI/ML specialists |
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Key difference from AWS: Azure Expert certifications require passing prerequisite exams. To earn Solutions Architect Expert, you must first pass Administrator Associateâmeaning a minimum investment of $330 and two exams.
For analysis on whether Azure certification is worth it, weâve broken down the specific scenarios where it makes sense.
Google Cloud Certifications
Google Cloud has smaller market share than AWS or Azure but commands premium salaries, particularly in data engineering and AI roles.
| Certification | Cost | Average Salary | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Digital Leader | $99 | $50K-$60K | Entry point |
| Associate Cloud Engineer | $125 | $90K-$110K | Generalist cloud roles |
| Professional Cloud Architect | $200 | $145K-$175K | Senior architects |
| Professional Data Engineer | $200 | $140K-$165K | Data pipeline specialists |
| Professional Machine Learning | $200 | $150K-$175K | ML engineers |
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The trade-off: Google Cloud job postings are fewer than AWS or Azure, but competition for those positions is also lower. If youâre targeting companies heavily invested in Googleâs ecosystem (data-focused startups, AI companies), GCP certifications can be more valuable than AWS.
Multi-cloud strategy: Since 92% of enterprises use multiple cloud platforms, holding certifications in both AWS and Azure covers 52% of the global cloud market. Adding GCP to that mix positions you for the most opportunities.
Security Certifications: Growing Demand, Serious Pay
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 33% employment growth for information security analysts through 2033âmore than eight times the average job growth rate. Over 500,000 cybersecurity positions remain unfilled in the US alone.
CompTIA Security+ (The Foundation)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | $425 |
| Time to Prepare | 2-4 months |
| Jobs Unlocked | Security analyst, junior security engineer |
| Salary Range | $50K-$100K+ with experience |
| Prerequisites | None (Network+ recommended) |
Security+ is the most accessible high-value security certification. Itâs mandated by DoD Directive 8140 for government contractors and defense-related positionsâmeaning itâs literally required for a huge segment of the security job market.
The exam covers threats, vulnerabilities, security operations, and incident response. If you want to transition from IT support to cybersecurity, Security+ is typically the first step.
For hands-on security practice before or after certification, platforms like TryHackMe, HackTheBox, and OverTheWire help build practical skills that complement the theoretical knowledge.
CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker (Offensive Security)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | $1,000-$1,500 (training + exam) |
| Time to Prepare | 3-6 months |
| Jobs Unlocked | Penetration tester, red team, security consultant |
| Salary Range | $95K-$125K |
| Prerequisites | 2 years security experience (or official training) |
CEH focuses on offensive security techniquesâhow to find and exploit vulnerabilities. Itâs the standard cert for penetration testing roles and carries a salary premium of $12,000-$18,000 versus non-certified professionals.
The catch: CEH is expensive. EC-Council requires either two years of information security experience or completion of their official training program, which adds to the cost. If youâre early in your security career, Security+ is a better starting point.
CISSP (The Senior Standard)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | ~$749 |
| Time to Prepare | 3-6 months |
| Jobs Unlocked | Security manager, security architect, CISO |
| Salary Range | $120K-$175K+ |
| Prerequisites | 5 years security experience |
CISSP is the most sought-after cybersecurity certification globally, held by over 160,000 professionals. It covers eight security domainsâeverything from risk management to security architecture.
The five-year experience requirement is strict but has some flexibility. A four-year degree counts for one year, and certain certifications can substitute for additional experience. Still, this is not a certification for career changersâitâs for established security professionals looking to move into senior or leadership roles.
Our CISSP Requirements Guide covers the experience requirements in detail, including which roles qualify.
CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor (Audit Focus)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | ~$760 |
| Time to Prepare | 3-6 months |
| Jobs Unlocked | IT auditor, compliance analyst, GRC roles |
| Salary Range | $102K-$149K |
| Prerequisites | 5 years audit/security experience |
CISA is the standard for audit and compliance roles, particularly in financial services. If youâre interested in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) rather than technical security work, CISA delivers the highest ROI.
The salary data speaks for itself: ISACA reports that CISA holders earn an average of $149,000. The premium over non-certified auditors runs $18,000-$25,000.
Networking Certifications: The Infrastructure Foundation
Networking certifications have remained relevant even as cloud adoption accelerates. Someone has to understand how the underlying infrastructure works.
CompTIA Network+
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | $390 |
| Time to Prepare | 2-3 months |
| Jobs Unlocked | Network technician, junior network admin |
| Salary Range | $50K-$65K |
| Prerequisites | A+ recommended |
Network+ covers networking fundamentals: protocols, routing, switching, network security, and troubleshooting. Itâs vendor-neutral, meaning the knowledge applies whether youâre working with Cisco, Juniper, or any other equipment.
For comparison between Network+ and the Cisco alternative, see our Network+ vs. CCNA breakdown.
Cisco CCNA (The Industry Standard)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | $300 |
| Time to Prepare | 3-6 months |
| Jobs Unlocked | Network admin, network engineer, NOC technician |
| Salary Range | $70K-$105K |
| Prerequisites | None (networking knowledge expected) |
CCNA is more specialized and more respected than Network+ in enterprise environments. It focuses specifically on Cisco technologies, which dominate enterprise networking. The 2026 version now includes sections on automation, AI fundamentals, and cloud network management.
Recent changes: Cisco announced major certification updates in February 2026. The DevNet track became âCCNA Automation,â and the CyberOps track became âCCNA Cybersecurity.â If youâre studying for CCNA, make sure your study materials reflect the current exam objectives.
The CCNA is valid for three years, after which you must either recertify or earn a higher-level Cisco certification (CCNP) to maintain it.
For a complete networking career guide, see how to become a network engineer.
Certification Cost Comparison Table
Hereâs a quick reference for planning your certification budget:
| Certification | Exam Cost | Typical Study Materials | Total Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | $530 | $50-$300 | $580-$830 |
| CompTIA Security+ | $425 | $50-$300 | $475-$725 |
| CompTIA Network+ | $390 | $50-$250 | $440-$640 |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | $100 | $0-$50 | $100-$150 |
| AWS Solutions Architect Associate | $150 | $20-$100 | $170-$250 |
| AWS Solutions Architect Professional | $300 | $50-$150 | $350-$450 |
| Azure Fundamentals | $99 | $0-$50 | $99-$149 |
| Azure Administrator | $165 | $50-$150 | $215-$315 |
| CCNA | $300 | $100-$400 | $400-$700 |
| CEH | $1,199+ | Included | $1,199-$1,500 |
| CISSP | $749 | $100-$500 | $849-$1,249 |
| CISA | $760 | $100-$400 | $860-$1,160 |
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For strategies on minimizing costs, our guide on the cheapest way to get IT certified covers discount options, bundling, and free resources.
The Certification Paths That Make Sense
Rather than collecting random certifications, follow logical progressions based on your career goals.
Path 1: IT Support â Cloud Engineering
- CompTIA A+ â Land help desk job ($40K-$55K)
- AWS Cloud Practitioner â Learn cloud fundamentals while working
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate â Transition to cloud roles ($100K-$125K)
- AWS Solutions Architect Professional or Azure Administrator â Senior positions ($150K+)
Timeline: 2-4 years
Path 2: IT Support â Cybersecurity
- CompTIA A+ â Entry-level IT experience
- CompTIA Security+ â Security analyst roles ($65K-$85K)
- CySA+ or CEH â Advanced security positions ($85K-$120K)
- CISSP â Security leadership ($120K-$175K)
Timeline: 4-6 years (CISSP requires 5 years experience)
For a more detailed security pathway, see our IT support to cybersecurity transition guide.
Path 3: IT Support â Network Engineering
- CompTIA A+ â Build troubleshooting foundation
- CompTIA Network+ or CCNA â Network technician roles ($55K-$75K)
- CCNA (if started with Network+) â Network admin ($75K-$95K)
- CCNP or Cloud networking certs â Senior network engineer ($100K-$130K)
Timeline: 2-4 years
Path 4: Direct to Cloud (Career Changers)
If you have transferable skills from another field:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner â Prove basic competency ($50K-$65K)
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate â Associate-level cloud roles ($100K-$125K)
- Add Azure Administrator â Multi-cloud positions ($110K-$140K)
Timeline: 1-2 years
This path skips the traditional help desk entry point. It works best for people with existing technical backgrounds (developers, engineers from other fields) or strong self-study capabilities. See our IT career change guide for more detail on this approach.
What About AI Certifications?
AI certification demand increased 334% in 2025. The major cloud providers now offer AI-focused certifications:
- AWS Machine Learning Specialty ($300)
- Azure AI Engineer Associate ($165)
- Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer ($200)
These certifications matter for ML engineers and data scientists. For general IT professionals, theyâre prematureâfocus on core cloud or security certifications first. AI skills complement strong fundamentals; they donât replace them.
If youâre interested in how AI affects IT careers, weâve covered the practical applications.
Choose Your Path: Decision Matrix
| If You⌠| Start With | Then Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Have zero IT experience | A+ | Network+ or Security+ |
| Want maximum job options | AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Azure Administrator |
| Need government clearance | Security+ | CISSP or CISA |
| Work in Microsoft environments | Azure Fundamentals | Azure Administrator |
| Want highest salary ceiling | AWS Solutions Architect Professional | CISSP |
| Prefer hands-on networking | CCNA | CCNP or cloud networking |
| Want to do penetration testing | Security+ | CEH, then OSCP |
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Collecting certifications without experience. Five entry-level certs donât equal one mid-level position. Certifications prove you can pass exams; work experience proves you can do the job. Balance study with hands-on practice through home labs, real projects, or platforms like Shell Samurai for building command-line skills.
Ignoring expiration dates. Most certifications expire after 3 years. Cloud certs require recertification or earning a higher-level cert to maintain. Plan for ongoing investment.
Skipping the fundamentals. Jumping straight to CISSP or Solutions Architect Professional rarely works. The foundational certifications teach concepts that advanced exams expect you to already know.
Paying full price. CompTIA offers academic discounts. AWS gives 50% off your next exam after passing one. Microsoft Learn provides free training. Research before purchasing.
For more pitfalls specific to your situation, see our analysis of IT certifications vs. experience.
FAQ
Which IT certification pays the most?
The highest-paying certifications in 2026 are cloud architect credentials at the professional level. AWS Solutions Architect Professional averages $155K-$170K. Google Cloud Professional Architect averages $145K-$175K. CISSP rounds out the top tier at $120K-$143K. But these require years of experienceâyou canât earn them as a career starter.
How long does it take to get IT certified?
Entry-level certifications (A+, Cloud Practitioner) typically take 2-4 months of part-time study. Associate-level certifications (Solutions Architect Associate, Security+) take 3-6 months. Expert-level certifications assume you already have years of hands-on experience and still require several months of focused preparation.
Are IT certifications worth it in 2026?
Data says yesâfor the right certifications. Certified professionals earn 30% more on average, and 87% of hiring managers pay premiums for specific certs. But âworth itâ depends on alignment. A Security+ is worth it if you want security roles. The same cert has minimal value if youâre targeting cloud architecture.
Should I get multiple cloud certifications?
If you have the budget and time, yes. 92% of enterprises run multi-cloud environments. Holding AWS plus Azure certifications covers over half the market and makes you more valuable than single-platform specialists. Start with one platform (usually AWS for breadth), then add the second.
Can I get a good IT job without certifications?
Yes, but itâs harder. Certifications serve as proof of knowledge when you lack work experience. Once you have 3-5 years in the field, employers care more about what youâve built than what exams youâve passed. Early career: certifications matter a lot. Mid-career: theyâre nice to have. Senior: theyâre often ignored entirely.
The Bottom Line
The certification market is noisy. Every vendor wants your money, and every training company wants to sell you courses. Cut through it by focusing on what actually moves the needle:
- Starting out? A+ or AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Want security? Security+ first, always
- Want cloud? AWS Solutions Architect Associate has the best ROI
- Want senior roles? CISSP or AWS/Azure Professional certs
Pick one path. Execute. Donât try to earn five certifications in a yearâearn one that matters, get a job using it, then build from there. The professionals making $150K+ didnât get there by collecting badges. They got there by combining certifications with real experience.
Start with the certification path that matches your goals, study strategically, and treat each cert as a stepping stone rather than a destination.