By Quick answer: Which certifications do employers value most?
- Experience-backed — PMP, CISSP, CISM, CISA.
- Tech — AWS SAA, AZ-104, CCNA.
- Finance — CFA.
- Entry — Security+.
Key takeaways
- Employers trust rigorous exams and experience requirements.
- Survey pay reflects holders' seniority.
- Value depends on your field.
Employers value certifications that are hard to fake: rigorous exams, experience requirements and continuing education. These ten fit that description, with survey pay where available.1
Ten most valued certifications
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members2 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 2 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page3 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1504 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store5 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 5 | CISA – Certified Information Systems AuditorISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members6 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 6 | CISM – Certified Information Security ManagerISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members7 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 7 | CFA ProgramCFA Institute | Check the official page8 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 8 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country9 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 9 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page10 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 10 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country11 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- PMP Practice ExamPractise for PMP – Project Management Professional before you pay.Start free test →
- CISSP Practice TestPractise for CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and why employers trust it
- PMIPMP – Project Management ProfessionalProjects$425 PMI members / $675 non-members
- ISC2CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalSecuritySee ISC2 page
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateCloud$150
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members2
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
Needs 3–5 years leading projects. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forprojects
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page3
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
US average $168,060;1 five years' experience. ISC2's senior credential covers eight broad security domains and requires five years of paid security experience. It's ANAB-accredited, and US holders averaged $168,060 in Skillsoft's 2025 survey, the highest of any IT certification there.
Best forsecurity
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1504
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
US average $155,597;1 $150. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store5
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Widely required for entry security roles. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forentry security
CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members6
US average $155,362.1 ISACA's audit credential covers auditing information systems, governance, operations and protection of assets. It costs US$575 for ISACA members and US$760 for non-members and is the standard for IT auditors.
Best foraudit
CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members7
US average $157,189.1 ISACA's credential for security managers covers governance, risk, programme management and incident management. It costs US$575 for ISACA members and US$760 for non-members and requires management experience.
Best forsecurity management
CFA Program
- Cost
- Check the official page8
- Entry
- Three exam levels; CFA Institute suggests 300+ study hours per level
Three levels; 300+ hours each. The CFA Program is the leading investment credential, with three exam levels; CFA Institute suggests 300 or more study hours per level. Many candidates take several years, and passed levels are often listed on CVs.
Best forinvestment
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country9
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure admin; yearly renewal. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forAzure
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page10
Cisco networking. Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. It's ANAB-accredited and widely recognised for network engineer roles; check Cisco's page for the fee.
Best fornetworking
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country11
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Power BI proof. Microsoft's Power BI Data Analyst exam proves you can prepare, model and visualise data and share reports securely. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, with free Microsoft Learn training and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best forBI
What makes a certification valued
- Proctored exam — hard to fake.
- Experience rules — PMP, CISSP.
- Renewal — keeps skills current.
- Recognition — named in job posts.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications with rigorous exams, experience rules and broad recognition, with Skillsoft's 2025 survey for salary context. Fees from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most respected certification?
It depends on field: PMP, CISSP and CFA are among the most respected.
Which certification is most valuable?
CISSP had the highest US survey average ($168,060) in Skillsoft's 2025 data.
Do employers value online certificates?
Proctored exams carry more weight than completion certificates.
Which is most valued in India?
PMP, AWS and Azure are widely recognised.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests.
Sources
- Skillsoft — Top-paying IT certifications
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISACA — CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISACA — CISM – Certified Information Security Manager, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CFA Institute — CFA Program, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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