Adding an IT certification to your résumé will immediately set you apart from your competitors. With the growing skills gap in the IT job market, many employers no longer value traditional college degrees. Instead, they are seeking highly skilled candidates with relevant certifications to fill their technical positions.
Are you looking to enhance your résumé with additional credentials? Below are the 10 most popular and highest-paying IT certifications of 2025 that you should seek to enhance your career.
1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
This widely acclaimed Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification demonstrates the candidate’s key skills to configure, manage, secure, and administer key professional functions in Microsoft Azure. The intensive course you will take to prepare for this exam will equip you with subject matter expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization’s Azure environment that will enhance your fluency in this rapidly evolving, cloud-adapting world.
2. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification validates a broad range of fundamentals for all IT careers, from networking technologies to security to software development, proving you have the skills businesses need to meet market demands.
3. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
This highly sought-after certification validates your ability to design scalable, cost-efficient, and secure cloud solutions on Amazon Web Services. You’ll master core AWS services like EC2, S3, VPC, RDS, and IAM, and gain hands-on experience in architecting cloud-native applications.
4. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
The Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is another highly recognized Microsoft certification. This expert-level program specializes in cloud technology, identity management, systems management, virtualization, storage, and networking. Students acquire the necessary skills to operate a highly efficient and modern data centre. Ideal for IT professionals who plan to lead architecture efforts in enterprise cloud projects.
5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Offered by ISACA, the CISA certification confirms candidates’ high skills in auditing, monitoring, controlling, and assessing a company’s IT systems. It demonstrates knowledge in identifying and managing vulnerabilities and proposing controls, processes, and company policy updates to ensure compliance with the latest IT standards.
6. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP certification is offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2. The curriculum is divided into eight different domains and tests candidates’ security expertise. Professionals with this certification aim to keep their company’s data safe from any threats and attacks. They also create policies that help establish frameworks for proper controls and oversee risk management and security in software development.
7. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
With security becoming the foremost concern in the IT world, CISM, offered by ISACA, has emerged as a very popular choice among graduates and professionals. The certification demonstrates candidates’ ability to identify critical issues and tailor company-specific practices to align with the best IT standards. It also shows their basic understanding of the relationship between an information security program and broader business goals.
8. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Administration (CCA-V)
This high-paying IT certification validates candidates’ skills in managing, maintaining, monitoring, and troubleshooting Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. The exam tests your knowledge of installing required technologies, configuring technical components, and testing configurations.
9. VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV)
The intensive VCP-DCV course equips students with the latest skills and knowledge to install, configure, and manage vSphere 8.x environments. It’s essential for professionals managing enterprise-grade virtual data centers. The certification also demonstrates your ability to automate and optimize infrastructure, thereby increasing operational efficiency.
10. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
The RHCE certification highlights a range of skills, knowledge, and abilities to configure static routes, packet filtering, and network address translation. In the course, students will learn to configure an Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) initiator and use shell scripting to automate system maintenance tasks. There are no prerequisites for this certification.
Pick one of these 10 certifications and give your IT career a much-needed boost. Make sure you select a reputable IT college to prepare you for the exam.