By Quick answer: Which certifications pay the highest salary in 2027?
- Top earners — CISSP ($168,060), CISM ($157,189), AWS Solutions Architect – Associate ($155,597), CISA ($155,362): US averages, Skillsoft 2025.
- Big caveat — the average CISSP holder in that data is 44 and 58% are managers; experience drives the pay.
- Cheapest high-earner — AWS Solutions Architect – Associate costs $150 and has no experience requirement.
- Rising — Kubernetes (CKA) and AI-engineering credentials from AWS, Microsoft and Google, where demand is growing.
Key takeaways
- Certification salary tables show what experienced holders earn, not what the badge adds; read them as a map of well-paid roles.
- Security governance (CISSP, CISM, CISA) and cloud architecture lead the pay data, and all reward years of experience.
- If you're early in your career, the $150 AWS Solutions Architect – Associate is the most reachable credential on this list.
Salary-ranked certification lists are among the most searched pages every January, and among the most misread. The numbers are real: Skillsoft's 2025 IT Skills and Salary data puts the average US CISSP holder at $168,060.1 But the same data shows that holder is, on average, 44 years old, holds 18 certifications and is likely a security manager or director. The badge didn't create that salary; a career did. This ranking uses the published averages, then tells you plainly what each credential requires and which ones you can realistically reach in 2027.
The top 10 by salary at a glance
Ranked by the US average salary of holders where Skillsoft published one (picks 1–5); picks 6–10 are high-demand AI and cloud-engineering credentials without a published average in that report. Costs from official pages, 3 November 2026.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page3 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 2 | CISM – Certified Information Security ManagerISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1505 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | CISA – Certified Information Systems AuditorISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members6 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1007 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 6 | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Linux Foundation / CNCF | $4458 | 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam | Free test |
| 7 | AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1509 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 8 | Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)Microsoft | Exam priced by country10 | 100 minutes | Free test |
| 9 | Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning EngineerGoogle Cloud | $20011 | 2 hours, multiple choice | Free test |
| 10 | Google Cloud Generative AI LeaderGoogle Cloud | $9912 | 90 minutes, multiple choice | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Each pick has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, so you can see how far you are from exam-ready. Science of Apps runs 1,200+ free, test-based certifications — one of the largest libraries of free certification tests online. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- CISSP Practice TestGauge your readiness across the CISSP domains.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamDesign-scenario questions in the style of SAA-C03.Start free test →
- CISM Practice TestGovernance and risk questions for security leaders.Start free test →
- Kubernetes CKA & CKAD Practice ExamCheck your Kubernetes operations knowledge before a hands-on exam.Start free test →
The ten, ranked, with what each really takes
Salary figures are US averages for certification holders from Skillsoft's 2025 report; they're not guarantees and they vary widely by country and seniority.
- ISC2CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalSecurity leaders with 5+ years' experienceSee ISC2 page
- ISACACISM – Certified Information Security ManagerMoving from hands-on security into managementUS$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateThe most reachable high-earner, no experience gate$150
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page3
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
Top of the pay data, at a US average of $168,060 for holders.1 It's the senior security credential employers name for security architects, managers and directors, and it requires five years of paid security work across its domains. If you have less, you can pass the exam and become an Associate of ISC2 while you build the experience. It's the wrong goal for anyone in their first security job.
Best forsecurity leaders with 5+ years' experience
CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members4
A US holder average of $157,189 in the same data.1 Where CISSP is broad, CISM is about running a security programme: governance, risk and incident management. It suits people moving from hands-on security into leadership. The exam costs US$575 for ISACA members and US$760 for non-members, and certification needs verified management experience.
Best formoving from hands-on security into management
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1505
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
The most reachable high-earner on this list. Holders averaged $155,597 in the US,1 the exam costs $150, and there is no formal experience requirement, though AWS recommends hands-on time. It tests designing secure, resilient and cost-aware systems on AWS. For developers, sysadmins and support engineers, it's the clearest next step after Cloud Practitioner.
Best forthe most reachable high-earner, no experience gate
CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members6
A US holder average of $155,362.1 CISA is the standard credential for IT audit, assurance and control, and it's popular in banks, Big Four firms and regulated industries. Fees match CISM. It suits auditors, risk analysts and accountants moving toward technology. It's a poor fit if you want to build or defend systems rather than evaluate them.
Best forauditors and risk professionals in tech
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1007
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
Skillsoft reports a US holder average of $142,704,2 but treat that with care: Cloud Practitioner is an entry exam, and many holders earned it on top of an existing tech career. Its value is as a cheap ($100), fast first step that makes the Solutions Architect path less daunting. Don't expect it alone to lift your pay.
Best fora cheap first step on the AWS path
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Cost
- $4458
- Format
- 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam
Kubernetes runs most modern cloud platforms, and the CKA is the respected proof that you can operate it. The exam is a two-hour, hands-on test in a live cluster, $445 with one free retake. It suits DevOps, platform and site-reliability engineers. Skillsoft's report doesn't publish a CKA average, so we rank it on demand for those roles rather than a salary figure.
Best forDevOps and platform engineers
AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate
- Cost
- $1509
AWS's associate-level credential for engineers who build, deploy and monitor machine-learning systems, at $150. Demand for ML engineering is rising with generative AI, and this is a practical, cloud-specific proof of it. It assumes you already code and understand ML basics; analysts should start with the AI Practitioner instead.
Best forengineers putting ML into production
Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country10
- Format
- 100 minutes
Microsoft's credential for engineers who build AI solutions on Azure: language, vision, search and generative AI with Azure OpenAI. Microsoft prices the exam by country. It fits developers in organisations that run on Microsoft's cloud, and it's renewed free online each year. Non-developers will find it too technical.
Best fordevelopers building AI on Azure
Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer
- Cost
- $20011
- Format
- 2 hours, multiple choice
Google Cloud's professional-level machine-learning credential, at $200 for a two-hour exam. It tests designing, building and productionising ML models on Google Cloud. It's demanding and best attempted after real project work; for many ML engineers, it's the credential that signals senior-level competence on that platform.
Best forexperienced ML engineers on Google Cloud
Google Cloud Generative AI Leader
- Cost
- $9912
- Format
- 90 minutes, multiple choice
The business-side AI credential on this list, at $99 for a 90-minute exam. It covers how generative AI creates value, how to pick use cases and how to govern them. It's for managers, consultants and product leaders rather than engineers. It won't carry an engineering salary, but it's a credible way to show AI leadership.
Best formanagers leading AI adoption
Why certification salary tables mislead, and how to use them
Use salary tables to find well-paid roles, not to predict your own pay after an exam. Holders of senior certifications are usually senior people; the averages mix their experience, location and job title with the credential.
- Average US CISSP holder salary (Skillsoft, 2025)
- $168,060
- Average age of that CISSP holder
- 44
- CISSP holders in management roles
- 58%
- Average number of certifications they hold
- 18
A better question is: which role do I want in three years, and which certification does that role's job posts name? Then plan the entry credential, the experience, and the senior credential in that order.
A realistic path to a top-paying certification
- Pick the destination role — security manager, cloud architect, IT auditor or ML engineer.
- Earn the entry credential — Security+ or ISC2 CC for security, Cloud Practitioner for cloud, AI Practitioner for ML.
- Get two to three years of the right experience — the senior exams either require it or assume it.
- Take the mid-level exam — AWS Solutions Architect – Associate, CKA or AI-102 are achievable early.
- Then the senior credential — CISSP, CISM or CISA once your experience qualifies.
At each step, a free Science of Apps practice test shows whether you're ready before you pay a fee.
What about salaries in India and elsewhere?
Skillsoft's worldwide averages are lower than its US figures; for example, its global table lists CISSP holders at $146,131.2 Pay in India, the UK or the Gulf depends heavily on employer type, with global capability centres and multinational banks paying the most for these credentials. Check current, local figures on salary sites for your city and role before deciding, and treat any single number as a rough guide.
How we ranked these picks
Picks 1–5 are ordered by the US average salary of certification holders published in Skillsoft's 2025 IT Skills and Salary data, limited to credentials people can realistically pursue from a mainstream IT, security or audit career. Picks 6–10 are AI and cloud-engineering credentials in growing demand that Skillsoft didn't publish averages for; they're ordered by role demand and seniority. Costs and formats come from official pages, checked on 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest paying certification in 2027?
Among widely held certifications, CISSP has the highest average holder salary on this list, at $168,060 in the US according to Skillsoft's 2025 data. Some narrower specialty credentials, such as AWS Certified Security – Specialty, report higher averages. Remember that these holders are mostly experienced professionals, many in management.
Which high-paying certification can a beginner get?
None of the top four is a beginner credential: CISSP, CISM and CISA all require years of experience. The most reachable is AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, which costs $150 and has no formal experience requirement, though hands-on AWS practice is essential. Start with AWS Cloud Practitioner if you're completely new to cloud.
Does a certification increase your salary?
It can help, mainly by getting you into roles that pay more or by supporting a promotion case, but the salary averages in reports reflect experience as much as the credential. A certification earned alongside real responsibility tends to pay off; one earned without matching experience rarely changes pay on its own.
Are these salaries the same in India?
No. The figures in this guide are US averages from Skillsoft. Salaries in India and other countries are lower in absolute terms and vary by employer type and city. Global capability centres, consulting firms and multinational banks typically pay most for these certifications. Check local salary sites for your role before deciding.
How much do the top-paying certification exams cost?
As listed on official pages in November 2026: AWS Solutions Architect – Associate $150, AWS Cloud Practitioner $100, CKA $445 with a free retake, Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer $200, and CISM or CISA US$575 for ISACA members or US$760 for non-members. Check ISC2's site for the current CISSP fee.
Which certification pays well without a degree?
Most certifications on this list don't require a degree. AWS Solutions Architect – Associate, CKA and the AI-engineering credentials have no degree requirement. CISSP and CISM require experience rather than a degree. For degree-free entry routes into these fields, see our guide to certifications without a degree.
Sources
- Skillsoft — 20+ Top-Paying IT Certifications (2025 IT Skills and Salary data)
- Skillsoft — The highest-paying AWS certifications (2025)
- 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)
- Linux Foundation — Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Generative AI Leader, 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 for most people
- Top 5 certifications, one per path — entry credentials to start with
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The highest-paying IT certifications for 2027, from Skillsoft's salary surveyThe highest-paying IT certifications for 2027 from Skillsoft survey data: CISSP, CISM, AWS Solutions Architect, CISA and AWS Cloud Practitioner, with fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Six-month certifications that pay well in 2027: seven you can finish in half a year7 certifications you can earn in about six months that lead to well-paid roles in 2027: AWS SAA, Security+, PL-300, Salesforce, Google Data Analytics and more.
- 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 best professional certifications for 2027, industry by industry: the gold-standard credential in each fieldThe best professional certification in each industry for 2027: PMP, CISSP, CISA, CFA, FRM, CSCP, CBAP, SHRM-CP, AWS Solutions Architect and CKA, with costs.
- 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 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.
Get the ideas, not the noise.
Sign up with Google and we’ll send you short UX psychology tips by email — why people tap, stall and leave, and what to do about it. Unsubscribe anytime. Prefer something to keep? Get the free Laws of UX guide as a PDF.
Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free CISSP Practice Test. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.