10 IT Certifications That Pay Well 2027

Earning one of the highest-paying college degrees is one way into a lucrative tech career, but it isn't the only one. In IT, industry certifications carry real weight with employers because they show you can work with specific platforms, from cloud services to enterprise networks. Many of the best-paying credentials can be prepared for online and earned in a few months.

This article covers 10 IT certifications that consistently show up among the top earners in industry salary surveys. For each of these well-paying certificates, you'll see what it validates, who it's designed for, and what it takes to pass, along with cost ranges and tips for picking the right fit.

Can You Prepare for IT Certifications Online?

Yes, and for most IT certifications, online study is the standard route. Vendors like Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft, Cisco, and Red Hat publish official learning paths, practice questions, and exam guides, and many offer free training modules. Third-party platforms add video courses, practice exams, and hands-on labs that let you build skills in real cloud or network environments.

Many exams can also be taken online through remote proctoring, while others are offered at testing centers. A few advanced credentials, such as Cisco's expert-level lab exam, require in-person testing, so check the delivery options before you schedule.

Best IT Certifications That Pay Well

The certifications below cover cloud computing, networking, infrastructure, and systems administration. They range from associate-level credentials you can earn early in your career to expert-level certifications that reward years of experience.

1. Google Cloud – Professional Cloud Architect

Google Cloud's Professional Cloud Architect certification validates your ability to design, develop, and manage secure, scalable solutions on Google Cloud. The two-hour exam includes 50 to 60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions, and some of those questions draw on case studies you'll analyze during the test. There are no formal prerequisites, though Google recommends at least three years of industry experience, including a year or more working with Google Cloud.

You can take the exam online with remote proctoring or at a testing center. The certification stays valid for two years, and Google offers a shorter renewal exam or a renewal learning path to keep it active. Google's official learning path and sample questions make a strong starting point for your prep.

2. Nutanix – Certified Professional – Multicloud Infrastructure (NCP-MCI)

Nutanix may be less familiar than the big cloud providers, but its NCP-MCI credential is one of the higher-paying certifications for infrastructure professionals. The exam measures your ability to deploy, configure, manage, and troubleshoot workloads in a Nutanix multicloud environment, with topics spanning cluster management, workload management, disaster recovery, and monitoring.

The exam includes 75 multiple-choice questions over 120 minutes. Nutanix recommends about a year of IT infrastructure experience along with hands-on Nutanix experience, and its Enterprise Cloud Administration course is the recommended training. This credential is a good fit if you already work in data center operations, virtualization, or infrastructure support.

3. Cisco – CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Enterprise Infrastructure is one of the most demanding networking credentials available. To qualify for the lab, you'll first pass Cisco's Enterprise core exam, then complete an eight-hour lab exam that includes a design module and a hands-on module where you deploy, operate, and optimize real network equipment.

There are no formal prerequisites, but most candidates have several years of hands-on experience and CCNP-level knowledge before attempting the lab. The certification is valid for three years. Because the lab is challenging and costly, many network engineers spend months practicing in home or virtual labs before their attempt.

4. AWS – Certified Developer – Associate

If you build applications, AWS's Developer – Associate certification shows you can develop, deploy, and debug cloud-based applications on Amazon Web Services. The exam covers development with AWS services, security, deployment, and troubleshooting and optimization, and it includes 65 questions over 130 minutes.

AWS recommends at least a year of hands-on experience developing and maintaining applications on its platform, though there are no formal prerequisites. You can prepare through AWS Skill Builder, practice labs, and third-party courses, and the certification remains valid for three years. It pairs well with programming experience in a language like Python, Java, or JavaScript.

5. Microsoft – Azure Administrator Associate

Cloud administrators working in Microsoft environments often pursue the Azure Administrator Associate certification, which validates your ability to implement, manage, and monitor an Azure environment. You'll earn it by passing the AZ-104 exam, which covers identity and governance, storage, compute resources, virtual networking, and monitoring.

Microsoft recommends familiarity with operating systems, networking, servers, and virtualization, plus experience with tools like PowerShell and the Azure CLI. You can renew at no cost each year by passing an online assessment on Microsoft Learn. This credential also serves as a foundation for Microsoft's expert-level Azure Solutions Architect certification if you want to keep advancing.

6. Google Cloud – Associate Cloud Engineer

For a more accessible entry point into Google Cloud, the Associate Cloud Engineer certification focuses on deploying applications, monitoring operations, and managing enterprise solutions. Google recommends six months or more of hands-on experience with its platform, and there are no prerequisites.

The two-hour exam includes 50 to 60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions and can be taken online or at a testing center. The certification is valid for three years, with a shorter renewal exam or a learning path available when it's time to renew. Many professionals earn this credential before moving on to the Professional Cloud Architect.

7. Cisco – CCNP Enterprise

Cisco's CCNP Enterprise sits between the entry-level CCNA and the expert-level CCIE, and it's built for network professionals who design, deploy, and troubleshoot enterprise networks. You'll pass two exams: the Enterprise core exam and one concentration exam in a focus area such as advanced routing, SD-WAN, network design, automation, or wireless.

There are no formal prerequisites, but candidates commonly have three to five years of experience with enterprise network solutions. The certification is valid for three years, and you can recertify by passing exams or earning continuing education credits. Passing the core exam also qualifies you to attempt the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab.

8. Linux Foundation – Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

Kubernetes powers container orchestration at companies of all sizes, and the CKA shows you can install, configure, and manage production Kubernetes clusters. Instead of multiple-choice questions, the exam is performance-based, so you'll solve real tasks from the command line in a live environment.

The online, proctored exam lasts two hours, and the certification is valid for two years. Strong Linux and command-line skills are essential, and the Linux Foundation and other providers offer prep courses and practice environments. The CKA is a natural fit for DevOps engineers, site reliability engineers, and cloud administrators.

9. Red Hat – Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat's RHCSA validates the core system administration skills needed to manage Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The exam is hands-on and performance-based, and you won't have internet access or outside materials during the test, so you'll need to know your way around the command line.

Red Hat recommends its system administration courses or the RHCSA Rapid Track course, along with comparable work experience. Red Hat updates the exam as new versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux are released, so check the current objectives before you study. RHCSA is also the first step toward the Red Hat Certified Engineer credential, which focuses on automation with Ansible.

10. Cisco – CCNA

Many networking careers start with the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), one of the most recognized entry-level credentials in the field. It also lays the groundwork for higher-paying certifications like the CCNP and CCIE. A single exam covers network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability.

There are no formal prerequisites, which makes the CCNA a practical starting point if you're new to networking. The certification is valid for three years. Cisco Networking Academy, Cisco's own learning platform, and many third-party providers offer online IT courses with certificates that can help you prepare.

How We Rank IT Certifications

These certifications were selected for their connection to well-paying IT roles and their accessibility to working professionals. The criteria below shaped the list.

• Earning potential: Selections were informed by industry salary surveys, including Skillsoft's IT Skills and Salary research, and by BLS wage data for related IT occupations.
• Affordability: Most exams on the list cost a few hundred dollars or less, and free or low-cost prep resources are widely available.
• Online availability: Each certification offers online preparation, and most exams can be taken through remote proctoring.
• Provider reputation: Every credential comes from a major technology vendor or a respected industry organization.

What You'll Learn in an Online IT Certification Program

IT certification prep focuses on the platform-specific skills you'll be tested on and expected to use on the job. Most programs combine video lessons and reading with hands-on labs that let you practice in real environments.

Depending on the certification, coursework may cover cloud architecture, network design and troubleshooting, system administration, or container management. You'll also learn the security, monitoring, and automation practices that keep modern IT systems running. Skills you can expect to build include:

• Designing and deploying cloud infrastructure
• Configuring and troubleshooting routers, switches, and networks
• Managing users, permissions, and access controls
• Administering Linux systems from the command line
• Automating tasks with scripting and infrastructure tools
• Monitoring performance and resolving outages

How Much Do IT Certifications Cost?

Most associate- and professional-level IT exams cost between about $100 and $400 per attempt. Expert-level credentials cost more, and Cisco's CCIE lab exam is one of the most expensive, with a fee of more than $1,000 on top of the qualifying exam.

Preparation costs vary just as widely. Many vendors offer free learning paths, and free online IT courses can help you cover the basics, while instructor-led bootcamps can run from several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Practice labs and exam simulators usually add a modest monthly or one-time fee.

Who Should Consider IT Certifications?

IT certifications are a good fit if you want to break into tech, move into a higher-paying specialty, or prove your skills on a specific platform. Career changers often start with entry-level credentials like the CCNA or Associate Cloud Engineer, then build experience and stack more advanced certifications over time.

Experienced IT professionals also benefit, especially when moving into cloud, DevOps, or senior networking roles. Some employers require certifications for certain positions or reimburse exam costs, and earning a credential can strengthen your case for a promotion or raise.

Career Outlook With an IT Certification

Computer and information technology occupations pay well above the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these occupations earn a median annual wage of $109,470, compared with $50,980 for all occupations. BLS projects about 280,000 openings each year across the group through 2035, from both new jobs and replacement needs.

Many of the certifications on this list align with roles like network and computer systems administrators, who earn a median annual wage of $99,130. Employment in that specific role is projected to decline 4% through 2035, though BLS still expects about 13,400 openings each year. That shift is one reason cloud, automation, and container skills, like those covered by AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and Kubernetes certifications, can help you stay competitive.

How to Choose the Right IT Certification

The right IT certification depends on your experience, your target role, and the technologies employers in your area use. Consider these factors as you compare options.

Start With Your Career Goal

Cloud engineers, network engineers, and Linux administrators each benefit from different credentials. Pick a certification that lines up with the job you want next rather than the one with the highest reported salary.

Match the Level to Your Experience

Associate-level certifications like the CCNA or Associate Cloud Engineer work well early in your career, while expert credentials like the CCIE assume years of hands-on work. Starting at the right level helps you pass on your first attempt.

Check Local Job Postings

Look at job listings in your area to see which platforms and certifications employers mention most. A credential tied to tools local companies use will pay off faster.

Look for Hands-On Practice

Performance-based exams like the CKA and RHCSA require real skills, not just memorization. Choose prep resources that include labs or practice environments.

Plan for Renewal

Most IT certifications expire after one to three years. Factor in renewal exams, continuing education, or free online assessments when you compare the long-term commitment.

FAQs About Top IT Certifications That Pay Well

Choosing an IT certification often raises questions about value, difficulty, and where to start. The answers below cover some common ones.

Is an IT Certification Worth It?

For many tech professionals, yes, because certifications validate specific skills that employers search for in job postings. They're especially valuable when they align with your target role and the platforms your employer or prospective employers use.

Can I Get a Job With an IT Certification?

Yes, many IT roles list certifications as preferred or required qualifications, especially in cloud, networking, and systems administration. Pairing a certification with hands-on projects, lab work, or entry-level experience makes your application much stronger.

Do You Need a Degree to Earn an IT Certification?

No, none of the certifications on this list require a college degree. Vendors focus on recommended experience and exam performance, though some employers still prefer candidates with a degree for certain roles.

Which IT Certification Should Beginners Start With?

The CCNA and Google Cloud's Associate Cloud Engineer are solid starting points, since neither has formal prerequisites and both cover foundational skills. Some beginners also build basics first through free cloud computing courses before choosing a vendor path.

Should You Choose a Vendor-Specific or Vendor-Neutral Certification?

Vendor-specific certifications, like those from AWS, Microsoft, or Cisco, show expertise with tools many employers use daily. Vendor-neutral credentials cover broader concepts, so many professionals start with general foundations and then specialize in the platforms most common in their target jobs.

Explore IT Certification Programs and Courses

The right IT certification can help you move into a well-paying tech role or advance in the one you have. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools and training providers to get personalized information about courses, costs, and schedules.