Top 10 High-Paying IT Certifications for the Year 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, certifications serve as valuable credentials for professionals seeking to validate their expertise and boost their earning potential. Here's a roundup of some of the highest-paying IT certifications in cybersecurity in 2025 and their average annual salaries.
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the field, with an average annual salary of $141,452. This certification is ideal for security management and architecture roles.
Another highly respected certification is the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), which focuses on security governance, risk, and compliance. CISM holders can expect an average annual salary of $148,622, making it one of the top-paying among management certifications.
For those aiming for executive-level positions, the Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) is designed specifically for CISOs and other high-level security professionals. With an average annual salary of $180,000 – $275,000+, it commands some of the highest salaries in the industry.
Hands-on technical certifications like the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) and the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) also provide high earning potential. OSCP, valued for its practical penetration testing and ethical hacking skills, offers an average annual salary of $103,738, while CEH, which covers network security, system hacking, and web application security, has an average annual salary of $106,375.
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a valuable asset for professionals working in cloud security, with an average annual salary of $120,000 – $165,000. This certification validates knowledge of cloud security, making it highly relevant for cloud security engineers.
CompTIA Security+ serves as a strong foundation for beginners, essential for those starting their cybersecurity careers. With an average annual salary of $70,000 – $100,000 (entry-level), it provides a solid stepping stone into the industry.
The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification validates knowledge of cybersecurity fundamentals, risk management, and security operations, offering an average annual salary of $100,000+.
The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) targets application security professionals, integrating security in software development. With an average annual salary of $120,000 – $175,000, it is a valuable credential for those working in software security.
Lastly, the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) focuses on threat detection and response, an essential role in cybersecurity operations. With an average annual salary of $115,000 – $165,000+, it is a lucrative certification for those in this field.
The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification teaches professionals how to identify and manage risks related to information systems. This certification covers risk identification and assessment, risk response, and risk monitoring and reporting, with an average annual salary of $111,049.
It's important to note that while these salaries provide a general idea of what can be expected, exact figures may vary by geography, experience, and specific roles. However, these averages represent current market trends, demonstrating the value of cybersecurity certifications in boosting earning potential.
Sources: [1] TechTarget [2] Cybersecurity Ventures [3] CompTIA [4] GIAC
- Network security, encyclopedia, and technology are essential components in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.
- An audit of a network's security, compliance, and risk management is essential for maintaining the integrity of data-and-cloud-computing systems.
- For professionals specializing in access control and cryptography, the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) is a valuable credential, with an average annual salary of $120,000 – $175,000.
- The CompTIA Security+ certification serves as a solid foundation for beginners in information security, offering a pathway to an average annual salary of $70,000 – $100,000 (entry-level).
- Cloud security engineers can benefit from the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification, which validates knowledge of cloud security and offers an average annual salary of $120,000 – $165,000.
- The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification focuses on identifying and managing IT risks, providing a median annual salary of $111,049.
- The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification is valuable for those seeking to validate their knowledge of cybersecurity fundamentals, risk management, and security operations, with an average annual salary of $100,000+.
