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Article by Randy Muller, Global Knowledge Instructor, MCT, MCSE, MCSA, MCDST
When most individuals hear the word "Certification", dollar signs
immediately begin dancing in their heads. While some certifications do
command a higher salary, this is not true for all. With the recent
completion of our annual IT Skills and Salary report, I thought it would
be a great time to look at some of the more popular certifications -
and their associated pay.
NOTE: The ranking
below are based on certifications that received the minimum number of
responses required to derive a salary figure that is statically
accurate. There are certifications that pay more that are not
represented due to their exclusive nature. These include CCIE: Cisco
Certified Internetworking Expert and VCDX: VMware Certified Design
Expert, for example.
1. CCDP: Cisco Certified Design Professional ($107,878)
There
are two tracks at the Associate and Professional levels - Designing and
Networking. The Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
certification demonstrates that the individual who has passed the
required exams possesses advanced knowledge of Cisco network design
concepts and principles. The CCDP certified individual can discuss,
design, and create advanced networks.
With the CCDP
certification, you can plan addressing and routing schemes, security,
network management, data center, and IP multicast complex multi-layered
enterprise architectures that include virtual private networking and
wireless domains. The CCDP curriculum includes building scalable
internetworks, building multilayer switched networks, and designing
network service architecture1.
2. ITIL Expert Certification ($107,092)
What
is this ITIL that we hear so much about? The Information Technology
Infrastructure Library (ITILv3) is a foundational process that provides
for quality IT Service Management. The success of ITIL is through the
use of documented and proven processes that cover the entire Service
Lifecycle.
The ITIL Expert level is the third of four levels. The
ITIL Expert level certification is aimed at those individuals who are
interested in demonstrating a superior level of knowledge of ITIL
Version 3 (V3) in its entirety. Once you have achieved ITIL Expert level
you will also satisfy the pre-requisite entry criteria for the ITIL
Master Level; the highest level of certification within the ITIL V3
scheme, though the Master level is still under development
3. PMP: Project Management Professional ($103,570)
The
Project Management Institute's (PMI) Project Management Professional
(PMP) credential is recognized as the most important certification for
project managers, is globally recognized and in heavy demand. The
Project Management Professional credential demonstrates that you not
only have the experience but also the education to successfully lead and
direct projects.
The PMP credential is for experienced project
management professionals as the qualifications and testing for this
certification are rigorous as well as the required continuing education
requirements. All of these factors ensure that the PMP credential is
widely respected. The PMP experience and exam requirements focus on five
process groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, &
Closing
4. CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional ($100,735)
The
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential
is for security managers and professionals who develop policies and
procedures in information security. The CISSP certification has become
the gold standard in information security certifications and education.
Earning and maintaining a CISSP certification is required for many
governmental, military and civilian security positions.
The CISSP
was the first credential in the field of information security,
accredited by the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) to ISO
(International Organization for Standardization) Standard 17024:2003.
Earning your CISSP certification is not only an objective measure of
excellence, but is a globally recognized standard of achievement.
5. CCDA: Cisco Certified Design Associate ($97,995)
The
Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) demonstrates that the
individual who has passed the required exams has the requisite
knowledge, experience and understanding required to design a Cisco
converged network. A CCDA certified individual has the skills to design a
routed and switched network infrastructure and services involving LAN,
WAN, and broadband access for businesses and organizations.
6. CCNP: Cisco Certified Network Professional ($97,296)
There
are two tracks available at the Associate and Professional levels -
Designing and Networking. The Cisco Certified Network Professional
(CCNP) demonstrates that you have the ability to plan, implement, verify
and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks. A CCNP
certified individual is expected to work collaboratively with other
Cisco specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless and video
solutions.
7. ITIL v2 Foundation & ITIL v3 Foundation ($96,128 & $93,250)
What
is this ITIL that we hear so much about? The Information Technology
Infrastructure Library (TIL) is a foundational process that provides for
quality IT Service Management. The success of ITIL is through the use
of documented and proven processes that cover the entire IT Service
Lifecycle.
ITIL v3 is the current version of this widely adopted
best practices framework for IT management The ITIL Foundation
certification is the first of four levels in ITIL and offers those who
are certified a general awareness of the key elements, concepts and
terminology used in the ITIL Service Lifecycle, including the linkages
between Lifecycle stages, the processes used and their contribution to
Service Management practices
8. CCNA: Voice ($92,837)
There
are two tracks at the Associate and Professional levels - Designing and
Networking. The Cisco Certified Network Associate Voice (CCNA Voice)
demonstrates that an individual possess the required associate-level
knowledge and skills to administer a voice network and validates skills
in VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call
control, and voicemail solutions.
9. AIS: HP Storage Works ($91,158)
An
HP Accredited Integration Specialist (AIS) is able to design, support
and integrate business-class solutions (potentially including platform,
operating system, software, storage, network and option components) to
solve the business requirements of a customer. The AIS: Storage Works
certification validates that you, as an HP technical professional, are
fully able to prepare an HP Storage Works solution for a customer and
can perform all aspects of installation and startup service
10. AIS: HP ProLiant ML/DL/SL Servers ($87,332)
An
HP Accredited Integration Specialist (AIS) is able to design, support
and integrate business-class solutions (potentially including platform,
operating system, software, storage, network and optional components) to
solve the business requirements of a customer. A certified HP
technician will be able to fully prepare a ProLiant expandable tower
(ML), rack mount (DL) or scalable (SL) server.
The certified HP
technician is able to perform all aspects of installation and startup
tasks, including hardware configuration, operating system installation,
HP driver installation, and full management instrumentation and place
these systems into either a test environment or into production, or be
ready for the customer to install his applications.
11. VCP: VMware Certified Professional ($87,151)
Virtualization
and those who are knowledgeable on virtualization products are in heavy
demand. VMware is one of the leading vendors of virtualization products
and earning a VMware certification is the first step toward gaining
industry recognized expertise in virtual infrastructure and the industry
recognition that goes along with it. The VMware Certified Professional
(VCP) demonstrates that you have the skillset to successfully install,
manage and deploy VMware vSphere 4.
12. CompTIA Project+ ($87,057)
The
CompTIA Project+ certification (as is true for most CompTIA
certifications) is an international, vendor-neutral certification that
covers the entire project life cycle from initiation and planning
through execution, acceptance, support and closure.
The Project+
certification covers the business and technical project management
skills needed to successfully manage business projects. A Project+
certified Project Manager has the demonstrated required skills necessary
to complete projects in a timely manner and within budget as well as
emphasizing achieving buy-in from stakeholders and maintaining proper
scheduling.
The Project+ certification can be earned in a
reasonable period of time and with less expense than other project
management certifications. There are several advantages in earning a
Project+ certification: you do not have any prerequisite, you do not
have to submit an application and nor do you have any continuing
education requirements..
13. APS: HP Blade System Solutions ($86,554)
The
Accredited Platform Specialist (APS) - HP Blade System Solutions
certification is a hardware support certification designed for HP field
repair engineers. This certification validates the skills required by
Field engineers who need to perform basic troubleshooting, repair,
installation, configuration, and verification of the proper operation of
HP Blade System products. Those earning this certification are mainly
service technicians who work for HP or HP channel partners
14. CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker ($86,053)
A
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a skilled security professional who
understands the weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and
knows how to use this knowledge and specific tools as if he were a
malicious hacker. Individuals who have earned the CEH certification from
EC-council may fulfill job roles such as security officers, auditors,
security professionals, site administrators or anyone who is concerned
about the integrity of the network infrastructure.
An Ethical
Hacker is an individual who is usually employed or contracted by an
organization and who can be trusted to ethically penetrate corporate
networks and/or computer systems using the same methods and tools as a
hacker. The key point is that an Ethical Hacker has written
authorization to probe and possibly penetrate the target network.
15. MCDBA: Microsoft Certified Database Administrator ($84,683)
The
roles and responsibilities of a database administrator are quite varied
and as a consequence, so is the skill set required. Access to
information (both speed and accuracy) is critical to corporations and as
a result, corporations are dependent on their databases.
The
Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certification
validates the unique skillset required to succeed in a variety of job
roles, such as database administrator, database analyst, and database
developer on SQL Server 2000. A MCDBA will most likely have knowledge of
Visual Basic or other scripting languages, C/C++, Java and other
programming languages.
A DBA must also have knowledge of the
relational database language used for their database (Oracle's PL/SQL,
Microsoft's T-SQL). For individuals who administer, develop, or analyze
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server 2008 databases, Microsoft offers
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft
Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification paths.
If you don't see your certification listed above, visit the Global Knowledge web site for a complete listing of over 100 certifications and their respective average salaries.
published by infosecisland.com
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