Six IT Certifications That You Should Look Out For in 2022

Information technology, also known as IT for short, is a flourishing industry given that we are constantly experiencing technological advancements. There are many technical skills and knowledge that one has to acquire before he or she is qualified to do the job. Given that IT skills are in such high demand, it has become a popular choice that many college students go for. 

That said, the IT field is somewhat saturated and not to mention, highly, competitive. Potential employers tend to look for someone who not only fits into their workplace culture well but more importantly, can get the job done. While you can’t prove your soft skills on your resume, your technical and hard skills can be credited with certifications from the IT courses you have attained.

If you’re passionate about the IT industry and taking this seriously, then you’re at the right place. To help you stand out from the rest of the crowd and make you a more well-rounded candidate, here are the 10 most lucrative IT certifications that you can get in 2022. Let’s take a look! 

1. Google Cloud Engineer (Data)

Google is probably a company that you’re familiar with and it is no surprise that this dominating web service company made the top 10 list of the highest-paying IT certifications in 2022. 

In this third wave of technological advancement, cloud services and data management have risen sharply in popularity in demand. If you own a smart device and store your files online, then you’re probably using Google’s cloud services. These days, people tend to value Internet safety and efficiency. If you get this certification, expect to assist with designing machine learning algorithms and propose ways and suggestions to improve Google’s cloud services. 

Do note that not anyone can simply waltz right in and get certified. One main pre-requisite is that you’ll have to have an undergraduate degree in the quantitative field which includes information systems, computer science, and more. 

The training for this certification can be accessed online and Google Data Engineers earn up to $171,749 each year.

2. Google Cloud Architect

Similar to the Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, being a certified Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect is a niche skill that is in high demand. For this role as a professional cloud engineer, you’ll be in charge of designing solutions to rectify any possible problems that users may face when using Google’s Cloud services. 

Getting this certificate will allow you to stand out from the rest given that a cloud architect is considered to be a rare specialisation. On average, a Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect can expect to earn up to $169,029 a year.

3. Certified Solutions AWS - Architect

AWS is short for Amazon Web Services, another major brand that practically dominates the online retail shopping market. And yes, Amazon has too, expanded its services into the cloud service industry. When the big players are in the game, you know that there’s something valuable that they see in the IT market. 

As an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, you’ll be responsible for creating and designing cloud services on a larger scale. A pre-requisite to attaining this certification is to pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA_CO2) test. 

This certification teaches you how AWS operates more intimately so it will be good to have at least a year of hands-on experience in the system design area before you attempt to get this certificate. 

It is estimated that AWS Certified Solutions Architects make about $159,033 annually.

4. CRISC

IT risk is unfortunately something that engineers and users have to deal with. To minimise any potential IT risks that might surface, specialists are needed. Getting certified with CRISC equips you with the four important IT skill sets, namely, assessment, identification, mitigation, response, control monitoring, as well as reporting. 

The demand for individuals who are certified in risk and information systems control will always be constant. A certified individual can expect to earn up to $151,995 per year.

5. Information Systems Security Professional

As the name suggests, a certified information systems security professional will mainly be in charge of maintaining and improving the security systems of the organisation. As the IT industry is constantly evolving, so does the skill set needed to ensure security. 

The CISSP is one of the latest and most updated certifications in the IT security field today. If you’re in this sector of IT security, then you should aim toward getting a certificate in information systems security professional and upgrade your credentials. Employers from the bigger brands are constantly on the lookout for the most qualified individuals.

On average, a certified information systems security professional earns up to $151,853 per annum.

6. Professional (PMP)

The PMP certification is probably one of the most reputable certificates any IT manager can get. It is a holistic management certification that covers many aspects of management tailored to the IT industry specifically. Some of the things you can expect to learn are managing a team, creating goals, and budget planning. 

The PMP certificate while highly sought after is not easy to attain. Before you can officially get the PMP certificate, you ought to have at least 35 hours of relevant training before you are allowed to sit for the exam. On top of that, individuals with a Bachelor’s degree will need to have a minimum of 4,500 hours of project management experience. Those without a degree will need to complete 7,500 hours.

This pre-requisite already takes up a span of a few years so that can be rather demanding. If this is what you really want or you already met the requirements, then, by all means, go ahead and get certified. If you have the PMP certification, expect to take home roughly $148,906 each year.

Conclusion

And there we have it, a list of the top six IT certifications that you should look out for in 2022. The IT industry is undoubtedly a competitive and demanding one. If you have the means and opportunity to, getting more certificates will only do you more good than harm as they represent your capabilities and knowledge in the field. If this article has piqued your interest, then you should spend some time doing more research. All the best!