Get Certified for Better Jobs, Higher Pay

Ever wonder if IT certifications hold any value for your career? A new survey of IT professionals by Network World and IT management software company SolarWinds shows that obtaining such certifications can boost your paycheck, career and bottom line.

The survey of 700 federal and private sector IT professionals found that more than half (56 percent) of respondents who completed a certification saw a salary increase or bonus, with 40 percent saying that certification increased their pay by more than 10 percent. More than 60 percent received a new job and 29 percent saw a promotion after receiving an IT certification, the survey found.

Security certifications often led to the highest salaries among respondents. For example, among respondents making more than $110,000 annually, security certifications were held by 38 percent, particularly the Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP). IT professionals said their greatest motivators for obtaining certifications were positioning themselves for a promotion or another job (51 percent), learning a new technology (23 percent) and receiving a salary increase (12 percent).

Sixty-seven percent of respondents had earned some form of network technology certification, with Cisco-related certifications by far the most popular and most valuable. Microsoft certifications were held by 39 percent and the CompTIA Network+ was held by almost one-quarter. Additional networking certifications from vendors like HP, Brocade and Avaya were held by 16 percent of respondents, the survey found.

At the same time, specific types of Cisco certifications were cited as the most and least valuable among respondents. For example, the CCNA, an entry-level prerequisite certification, was the one called out as the least valuable, as it is seen by many as a substitute for hands-on knowledge. But other high-level Cisco certifications, like the CCIE, MCSE and the CCSP, were considered by respondents as extremely valuable to improving job prospects and boosting salaries, the survey found.

With the competitive job market, sluggish economy and the prospect for federal IT workers to face furloughs and other cuts due to the federal budget battle, the survey shows that IT certifications may be key in helping federal IT professionals to better position themselves. What are your thoughts?