AWS, Google Cloud certs command highest pay

Cashing in on cloud

The top four certifications on the list deal with cloud expertise, and that is no surprise to Skillsoft.

“This year’s list shows that cloud computing skills remain in high demand and can be quite lucrative for tech professionals,” Fuller explains.

AWS Certified Security – Specialty ranked sixth on the list for the past two years, and it continues to rise because not only does it deal with cloud skills, but it also addresses securing the environments. “The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification validates the ability to secure data in the AWS cloud and successfully navigate complex security challenges,” according to a Skillsoft blog on the survey findings. Annual salaries for professionals with this certification averages $203,597.

Google Cloud – Professional Cloud Architect fell to the second spot from its number one ranking last year, and Skillsoft says it will continue to warrant higher pay because while cloud is widely adopted, it remains a challenging area when it comes to filling roles with the right skills. “It’s still tough to find professionals with the right skill set. While cybersecurity is the toughest area to source talent, cloud computing isn’t far behind,” Skillsoft reports. Annual salaries for professionals with this certification averages $190,204.

Nutanix Certified Professional – Multicloud Infrastructure (NCP-MCI) V6.5 validates the sustained demand for cloud computing skills, according to Skillsoft. Organizations today likely work with multiple cloud providers, which can offer many benefits but introduce management challenges. Nutanix says it’s cloud platform can simplify the management of cloud services, and “earning this certification proves your abilities to deploy and manage virtual infrastructure components and virtual machines, operational maintenance tasks, and initiate disaster recovery,” Skillsoft says. Annual salaries for professionals with this certification averages $175,409.

CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional certification from ISC2 validates a professional’s ability to apply best practices, as set by the ISC2 community, to secure cloud environments, and it also meets the U.S. Department of Defense’s 8140 compliance requirements. Skillsoft identifies this certification as an “excellent choice for advanced security practitioners who want to earn more credibility at work, validate the versatility of their skill set, and join a respected peer network.” Annual salaries for professionals with this certification averages $171,524.