By Quick answer: Which IT certifications pay the most in 2027?
- #1 — CISSP: $168,060.
- #2 — CISM: $157,189.
- #3 — AWS SAA: $155,597.
- Caution — averages reflect experienced holders.
Key takeaways
- Security and cloud credentials dominate the top of IT pay lists.
- Experience requirements drive much of the pay gap.
- Use local salary data for your negotiation.
Skillsoft's IT Skills and Salary survey is one of the most cited sources on certification pay.1 Security and cloud dominate its top tier. Here are the figures, and what they really mean for your career.
Five top-paying IT 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 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page2 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 2 | CISM – Certified Information Security ManagerISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members3 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1504 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | CISA – Certified Information Systems AuditorISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members5 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1006 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | 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.)
- CISSP Practice TestPractise for CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional before you pay.Start free test →
- CISM Practice TestPractise for CISM – Certified Information Security Manager before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- CISA Practice TestPractise for CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and its survey pay
- ISC2CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional$168,060 average (US)See ISC2 page
- ISACACISM – Certified Information Security Manager$157,189 average (US)US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate$155,597 average (US)$150
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page2
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
US holders averaged $168,060 ($146,131 globally).1 Needs five years of paid security work. 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 for$168,060 average (US)
CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members3
US holders averaged $157,189.1 US$575 ISACA members, US$760 non-members. 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 for$157,189 average (US)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1504
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
US holders averaged $155,597.1 A $150 associate exam with no experience requirement. 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 for$155,597 average (US)
CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members5
US holders averaged $155,362.1 The audit credential; same ISACA pricing as CISM. 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 for$155,362 average (US)
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1006
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
US holders averaged $142,704,1 largely because many are already senior; it's a $100 entry exam. AWS's entry exam covers cloud concepts, core services, security and billing. It's 90 minutes with 65 questions and costs $100, so it's the usual first cloud exam for beginners and non-technical staff.
Best for$142,704 average (US)
Read salary lists carefully
- Averages describe holders — not what the certification causes.
- Experience matters — CISSP needs five years.
- Location matters — these are US figures.
- Best route — the certification that fits your next role, not the top of the list.
How we ranked these picks
Salary figures are US averages from Skillsoft's 2025 survey and don't predict individual pay. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which IT certification pays the most?
CISSP, at a US average of $168,060 in Skillsoft's 2025 survey.
Which high-paying certification needs no experience?
AWS Solutions Architect – Associate has no formal experience requirement and averaged $155,597 in the US.
Do these salaries apply in India?
No; they're US averages. Check Naukri, Glassdoor or AmbitionBox for local pay.
Will a certification raise my salary?
It can help, especially with a role change. Pay depends on role, location and experience.
Is there a free practice test for these?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free CISSP, CISM, CISA and AWS tests with instant results.
Sources
- Skillsoft — Top-paying IT certifications
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISACA — CISM – Certified Information Security Manager, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISACA — CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, 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.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Science of Apps free certification catalogue — 1,200+ free tests
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The highest-paying cybersecurity certifications for 2027, from survey dataThe highest-paying cybersecurity certifications for 2027: CISSP, CISM, CISA, Security+, CEH and CCNA, with Skillsoft survey salary data and exam fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The highest-paying cloud computing certifications for 2027, from survey dataThe highest-paying cloud certifications for 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud ML Engineer, CKA, AZ-104 and more, with survey salaries and fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 10 certifications and courses for 2027, ranked by what holders earn, and what that number really meansThe top 10 certifications for 2027 ranked by salary: CISSP, CISM, AWS Solutions Architect and CISA lead US pay data. See costs, prerequisites and links.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Which Certification Has the Best ROI in 2027? — answered for 2027Which certification has the best ROI in 2027? Cost vs US survey pay for AWS, CISSP, CISM and CISA, plus free options, with honest caveats.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 10 tech certifications that boost salary in 2027: the credentials behind the best-paid engineering rolesThe top 10 tech certifications that boost salary in 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, CKA, Terraform, AI-102, Google Cloud ML Engineer and more, with costs.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027CISM review for 2027: is it worth it, who it's for and the best alternativesCISM review for 2027: fees, survey pay of $157,189 (US), who it suits and how it compares with CISSP and CISA.
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