By Quick answer: What are the best online certifications in the USA?
- Highest survey pay — CISSP $168,060; CISM $157,189; AWS SAA $155,597.
- Government security — Security+.
- Business — PMP, SHRM-CP, Salesforce.
- Entry — Google Data Analytics.
Key takeaways
- US salary surveys show security and cloud credentials at the top.
- Security+ is widely used for US government security roles.
- Many US employers fund certifications.
US employers name certifications in job posts more than most markets, and US salary surveys are the most detailed. Skillsoft's 2025 survey puts security and cloud credentials at the top.1 These ten are the most useful for the American job market in 2027.
Ten certifications US employers name
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 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1502 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 3 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 4 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 5 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country6 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 6 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan7 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 7 | CISM – Certified Information Security ManagerISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members8 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 8 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead9 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 9 | SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)SHRM | Check the official page10 | 3-hour exam | Free test |
| 10 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan11 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | 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.)
- 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 →
- CISSP Practice TestPractise for CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional before you pay.Start free test →
- PMP Practice ExamPractise for PMP – Project Management Professional before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and its US job market
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateCloud roles$150
- CompTIACompTIA Security+Security and government rolesVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- ISC2CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalSenior securitySee ISC2 page
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1502
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
US holders averaged $155,597 (Skillsoft 2025).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 roles
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Widely required for US Department of Defense and contractor 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 forsecurity and government roles
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page4
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
US holders averaged $168,060.1 Needs 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 forsenior security
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
$425 PMI members, $675 non-members. 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 forproject roles
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country6
- 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 roles
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan7
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Analyst toolkit; common for career changers. Google's professional certificate teaches spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau and R through case studies and ends with a portfolio capstone. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at ten hours a week and offers financial aid on Coursera.
Best forentry analyst roles
CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members8
US holders averaged $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 managers
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead9
Salesforce admin; free training. Salesforce's Certified Administrator proves you can configure, secure and maintain a Salesforce org. Training is free on Trailhead and the exam fee is listed there, making it a common route into CRM and RevOps careers.
Best forCRM roles
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
- Cost
- Check the official page10
- Format
- 3-hour exam
US HR credential; check eligibility. SHRM's certification for HR professionals is a three-hour exam focused on competencies and HR knowledge. It's one of the two HR credentials job posts name most; check SHRM's page for eligibility and fees.
Best forHR roles
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan11
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Practical AI. Google's short course teaches practical generative AI for everyday work: drafting, research, analysis and using AI responsibly. It needs no technical background and takes under ten hours, so it suits almost any professional who wants to use AI tools with more confidence.
Best forany role
US-specific notes
- Government roles — DoD security roles commonly require approved certifications such as Security+.
- Tuition assistance — many employers reimburse exams.
- Veterans — check education benefits.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications commonly named by US employers, with Skillsoft's 2025 survey for US salary context. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most valuable certification in the USA?
CISSP had the highest US survey average ($168,060) in Skillsoft's 2025 data.
Which certification is needed for US government security jobs?
Many DoD roles require approved certifications such as Security+.
Do US employers pay for certifications?
Many offer tuition or exam reimbursement.
What's the best entry certification in the US?
Google Data Analytics or CompTIA Security+.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests.
Sources
- Skillsoft — Top-paying IT certifications
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISACA — CISM – Certified Information Security Manager, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- SHRM — SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google AI Essentials, 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 Online Certifications by Country (2027 Guide) — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The certifications employers value most in 2027: ten respected across industriesThe 10 certifications employers value most in 2027: PMP, CISSP, AWS SAA, Security+, CISA, CISM, CFA, AZ-104, CCNA and PL-300, with survey pay where available.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 online certifications in India for 2027: what Indian employers and IT services hire forThe top 10 online certifications in India for 2027: AWS, Azure, Salesforce, PL-300, Google Data Analytics, Security+, CCNA, PMP, Python and AI Essentials.
- 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 top 10 online certifications in the UK for 2027: what British employers recogniseThe top 10 online certifications in the UK for 2027: AWS, Azure, Security+, CISSP, PMP, ITIL 4, PL-300, Google Data Analytics, Salesforce and AI.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 online certifications in Canada for 2027: recognised credentials for Canadian employersThe top 10 online certifications in Canada for 2027: AWS, Azure, Security+, CISSP, PMP, PL-300, Google Data Analytics, CCNA, Salesforce and AI Essentials.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 online certifications in Australia for 2027: what Australian employers recogniseThe top 10 online certifications in Australia for 2027: AWS, Azure, Security+, CISSP, PMP, ITIL 4, PL-300, Google Data Analytics, Salesforce and AI.
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