15 Top Paying IT Certifications for 2012

Test

Randy Muller, Global Knowledge Instructor, MCT, MCSE, MCSA, MCDSTJanuary 2012
When the conversation amongst IT professionals turns to IT Certifications,one of their first thoughts is of high salaries - dollar signs dancing in theirheads. While some certifications do command a six-figure salary, this is nottrue for all. With the recent completion of our annual IT Skills and Salaryreport, I thought it would be a great time to look at some of the more popularcertifications - and their associated pay.
Note: The rankings below are based on certifications that received theminimum 200 responses required to derive a salary figure that is staticallyaccurate. There are certifications that pay more that are not represented due totheir exclusive nature. These include CCIE: Cisco Certified InternetworkingExpert and VCDX: VMware Certified Design Expert, for example.
1. PMP® - Project Management Professional - ($111,209)The Project Management Institute's (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP)credential is recognized as the most important certification for projectmanagers and is globally recognized and in heavy demand. The PMP credentialdemonstrates that you not only have the requisite, real-world experience, butthat you also have the education to successfully lead and direct projects. ThePMP credential should only be attempted by experienced project managers as thequalifications and testing for this certification are very rigorous. Inaddition, the PMI requires continued validation through required continuingeducation requirements. All of these factors ensure that the PMP credential iswidely respected. The PMP experience and exam requirements focus on five processgroups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, and Closing.
2. CISSP® - Certified Information Systems Security Professional - $110,342The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential isfor security managers and professionals who develop policies and procedures ininformation security. The CISSP certification has become the gold standard ininformation security certifications. Earning and maintaining a CISSPcertification is required for many governmental, military, and civilian securitypositions. The CISSP was the first credential in the field of informationsecurity, accredited by the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) to ISO(International Organization for Standardization) Standard 17024:2003. Earningyour CISSP certification is not only an objective measure of excellence, but itis a globally recognized standard of achievement.
3. CCDA® - Cisco Certified Design Associate - $101,915The Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) demonstrates that the individualwho has passed the required exams has the requisite knowledge, experience, andunderstanding required to design a Cisco converged network. A CCDA-certifiedindividual has the skills to design a routed and switched network infrastructureand services involving LAN, WAN, and broadband access for businesses andorganizations.
4. ITIL® v3 Foundation - ($97,691)What is this ITIL that we hear so much about? The Information TechnologyInfrastructure Library (ITILv3) is a foundational process that provides forquality IT Service Management. The success of ITIL is through the use ofdocumented and proven processes that cover the entire Service Lifecycle. TheITIL Expert level is the third of four levels. The ITIL Expert levelcertification is aimed at those individuals who are interested in demonstratinga superior level of knowledge of ITIL Version 3 (V3) in its entirety. Once youhave achieved ITIL Expert level, you will also satisfy the pre-requisite entrycriteria for the ITIL Master Level. This is the highest level of certificationwithin the ITIL V3 scheme, though the Master level is still under development
5. MCSE - Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer - $91,650The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification ended withServer 2003, though you can still earn it (as well as the MCSE on Server 2000,though many of the tests are retired). The continued use of Windows Server 2003in the market suggests that the demand for related expertise will continue forsome time. The MCSE certification demonstrates to clients and employers that youare skilled in designing, implementing, and administering infrastructures forbusiness solutions based on Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows 2000Server. Implementation responsibilities include installing, configuring, andtroubleshooting network systems. In order for you to earn your MCSE on WindowsServer 2003 certification (or Windows 2000 Server), you must pass seven exams:four exams on networking systems, one exam on client operating systems, one examon design, and one elective exam. One thing to be aware of is that many of theexams are retired or will be retiring soon. If one of the required exams isretired and you have not passed the exam, then you cannot earn thecertification. If you have passed the exam before it retired, than it still canbe applied to the certification.
6. VCP - VMware Certified Professional - $91,648Virtualization and those who are knowledgeable on virtualization products arein heavy demand. VMware is one of the leading vendors of virtualization productsand earning a VMware certification is the first step toward gainingindustry-recognized expertise in virtual infrastructure and the industryrecognition that goes along with it. The VMware Certified Professional (VCP5)demonstrates that you have the skillset to successfully install, manage, anddeploy VMware vSphere 5.
7. CCNP® - Cisco Certified Network Professional - $90,457There are two tracks available at the Associate and Professional levels:Cisco Certified Design Professional and Cisco Certified Network Professional.The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) demonstrates that you have theability to plan, implement, verify, and troubleshoot local and wide-areaenterprise networks. A CCNP-certified individual is expected to workcollaboratively with other Cisco specialists on advanced security, voice,wireless, and video solutions.
8. CompTIA Server+ - $84,997CompTIA certifications are international, vendor-neutral certifications thatvalidate a candidate's knowledge of a specific field. The CompTIA Server+certification demonstrates the IT professional's knowledge of server hardware,software, storage, IT environment, disaster recovery, and troubleshooting. It isrecommended that technical support professionals have 18 to 24 months experiencein supporting servers and server technology. While not a prerequisite, it isrecommended that candidates have a CompTIA A+ certification as well.
9. MCITP - Microsoft Certified IT Professional - $84,330The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification helps validatethat an individual has the comprehensive set of skills necessary to perform aparticular job role, such as database administrator or enterprise messagingadministrator. The MCITP certification validates that the IT professional iscapable of deploying, building, designing, optimizing, and operatingtechnologies for a particular job role.
MCITP certifications build on the technical proficiency measured in theMicrosoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications. Therefore, youwill earn one or more MCTS certifications on your way to earning an MCITPcertification. Currently, there are 15 MCITP certifications available fromMicrosoft:

• MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7
• MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7
• MCITP: Consumer Support Technician on Windows Vista
• MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician on Windows Vista
• MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008
• MCITP: Server Administrator on Windows Server 2008
• MCITP: Virtualization Administrator on Windows Server 2008 R2
• MCITP: Database Administrator 2008
• MCITP: Database Developer 2008
• MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer 2008
• MCITP: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server    2007
• MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator on Exchange 2010
• MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator on Exchange 2007
• MCITP: SharePoint Administrator 2010
• MCITP: Lync Server Administrator 2010
  

10. CCNA® - Cisco Certified Network Associate - $82,923The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) validates the holder's abilityto install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized route and switchednetworks, including implementation and verification of connections to remotesites in a WAN. CCNA curriculum includes basic mitigation of security threats,introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, andperformance-based skills. This new curriculum also includes (but is not limitedto) the use of these protocols: IP, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP),Serial Line Interface Protocol Frame Relay, Routing Information Protocol Version2 (RIPv2),VLANs, Ethernet, and access control lists (ACLs).

Test

11. MCSA - Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator - $82,923The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification helpsvalidate your ability to manage and troubleshoot network environments based onthe Windows Server 2003 operating system. It reflects a unique set of skillsrequired to succeed in a variety of job roles, such as systems administrator,network administrator, information systems administrator, network operationsanalyst, network technician, and technical support specialist. The MCSA onMicrosoft Windows 2000 Server certification is no longer be available as ofDecember 31, 2011
12. CompTIA Security+ - $80,066CompTIA certifications are international, vendor-neutral certifications thatvalidate a candidate's knowledge of a specific field. The CompTIA Security+certification validates the knowledge of security professionals in one of thefastest-growing fields in IT. The Security+ certification validates the securityIT professional in: network security, compliance and operational security,threats and vulnerabilities, access control and identity management,cryptography and application, and data and host security. Candidates will alsobe tested on their knowledge of security concepts, tools, and procedures toreact to security incidents. It ensures that security personnel are anticipatingsecurity risks and guarding against them. The CompTIA Security+ certification isaccredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and theAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI).The CompTIA Security+ certificationmay be kept current through the CompTIA Continuing Education program.
13. MCP - Microsoft Certified Professional - $79,363The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification was awarded bypassing one or more exams, though there was no designation as to what productyou earned with your MCP.
The MCP program itself was designed for both IT Professionals and developers.The MCP was replaced by the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)certification. The MCTS certification is designed to help validate your skillson the features and functionality of a specific Microsoft technology. The MCTScertification is tied to the end-of-life for Mainstream Support the productitself. You can show your depth of knowledge in one specific technology, earnmultiple MCTS certifications to show breadth across different products, or buildon the MCTS to earn a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification
14. CCENT® - Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician - $74,764Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) validates the ability toinstall, operate, and troubleshoot a small enterprise branch network, includingbasic network security. With a CCENT, network professional demonstrates theskills required for entry-level network support positions - the starting pointfor many successful careers in networking. The curriculum covers networkingfundamentals, WAN technologies, basic security and wireless concepts, routingand switching fundamentals, and configuring simple networks. CCENT is the firststep toward achieving CCNA, which covers medium-size enterprise branch networkswith more complex connections.
15. CompTIA Network+ - $71,207CompTIA certifications are international, vendor-neutral certifications thatvalidate a candidate's knowledge of a specific field. The CompTIA Network+certification demonstrates the professional qualifications of a networkingprofessional. The Network+ exam covers installation and configuration, media andtopologies, management, and security. The CompTIA Network+ certification isaccredited by the ISO and ANSI.The CompTIA Network+ certification may be keptcurrent through the CompTIA Continuing Education program.
SummaryHaving a certification does not mean you will walk into one of these higherpaying jobs. It is certification and experience that will count. There was atime when, if you had a certification, you were reasonably assured of getting ajob. Now it is more of a disqualifier - not having a certification means you maynot even get an interview.

http://www.globalknowledge.ca/articles/generic.asp?pageid=3159&country=Canada