Certifications That Employers Are Paying For Right Now
The global certification market is crowded. There are hundreds of credentials available — but only a fraction of them translate into a real salary increase. Based on current job posting data and salary surveys, here are the 10 that deliver the strongest return in 2026.
The Top 10 List
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Average salary premium: +$28,000/year. The most in-demand cloud certification globally, with roles in every industry.
2. Google Professional Cloud Architect
Average salary premium: +$24,000/year. Google Cloud is growing faster than any other provider, and certified architects are rare.
3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Average salary premium: +$30,000/year. The gold standard in cybersecurity. Required for senior security roles at major organisations.
4. PMP – Project Management Professional
Average salary premium: +$20,000/year. Recognised in every industry, not just IT. One of the most globally portable credentials.
5. Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
Average salary premium: +$18,000/year. Most enterprise IT environments run on Microsoft infrastructure.
6. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Average salary premium: +$22,000/year. Offensive security roles are among the fastest-growing in tech.
7. Cisco CCNP Enterprise
Average salary premium: +$19,000/year. Networking expertise never goes out of demand.
8. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Average salary premium: +$21,000/year. Container orchestration is now a core requirement at cloud-native companies.
9. Salesforce Certified Administrator
Average salary premium: +$15,000/year. CRM expertise is valued in every sales-driven organisation.
10. CompTIA Security+
Average salary premium: +$12,000/year. The entry point for cybersecurity careers and required by the US Department of Defence for contractor roles.
How to Get Certified Fast
Each certification on this list has one thing in common: they are all available as online-proctored exams. That means you can take them from home — and with Exam Soldier's remote assistance, you can pass them on your very first attempt.
We cover all 10 certifications above. Contact us today to get your expert assigned.
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