CLEARED &
CERTIFIED:
TOP 10 CERTIFICATIONS FOR CLEARED PROFESSIONALS
Whether you’re looking for a standout candidate - or you want to be one - certifications can be
the difference between standard and exceptional. In the 2022 Security Clearance Compensation
Report, 52% of the respondents said they had at least one certification, a 3% bump from the
prior year. Average total compensation for those who selected at least one certification was
$107,837; however, average compensation for the uncertified candidate was $94,794.
Due to demographic shifts in the cleared workforce, with a 6% increase in millennials and 6%
decrease in boomers, overall compensation has dipped slightly - even for certified professionals.
But even with overall dips, the reality is that the pay differential between holding at least one
certification and not holding any is $13,043.
What Moves the Compensation Dial in Tech Fields?
While some certifications are required to Graduate degrees and certifications can
support the DoD, many certifications are move the compensation dial drastically, but
considered nice-to-haves. But each of those experience is also a key factor. A degree or
‘haves’ has a price - in the time to study and certifications will help you slightly - but a degree
cost to obtain the certification. But does it and certifications can help you significantly. The
really pay to get certified? ClearanceJobs looked same scenarios play out at the five-year mark,
at survey respondents in IT and engineering as well, with a small leap when respondents
fields, comparing experience, education, and added either graduate degree or certification,
certification. but when both are added, compensation leaps
up by $26,000.
» Less than 10 Years Experience » 10 Years Experience
» Bachelors or Less » Graduate degree or
» No certifications certifications
$81,030 $124,668
$121,598 $145,791
» 10 Years Experience Triple Threat
» Bachelors or Less » 10 Years Experience
» No certifications » Graduate degree
» Certifications
2 Cleared & Certified: Top 10 High Paying Certifications in National Security
AVERAGE COMPENSATION BY CERTIFICATION
$50k $100k $160k
1 Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) $155,671
2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) $139,005
3 Project Management Professional (PMP) $138,986
4 GIAC Certifications $135,906
5 ScrumMaster $134,770
6 Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) $132,752
7 Amazon Web Services (AWS) $130,629
8 Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) $130,178
9 VMware Certified Professional/VMware Certified
Advanced Professional (VCP/VCAP) $125,659
10 Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) $124,561
Cleared & Certified: Top 10 High Paying Certifications in National Security 3
THE TOP 10 CERTIFICATIONS
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
$155,671
Despite the overall dip in compensation, respondents with a CCIE certification
saw a $3,000 increase in salary this past year. It’s clear that expert-level Cisco
certification zeros in on meeting the evolving needs of bringing together
software, networking, and infrastructure. Candidates with CCIE certification
signal possession of skills and knowledge, and companies are ready to
compensate for that expertise.
Certified Information Systems Security
Professional (CISSP)
$139,005
A clear understanding of the client’s cybersecurity needs is no longer something
that contractors can hope to provide. Rather it’s a clear requirement from the
government. And the CISSP has continued to give candidates credibility about
their cybersecurity design, implementation, and management skills. From
network architects to IT directors to cybersecurity professionals building their
resume, this certification held strong in the number two spot for the second
year in a row.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
$138,986
The graying of the workforce can hit project managers higher than other
occupations. As the workforce adds younger talent to the mix, compensation
numbers adjust accordingly. A certification may add credentials, but it’s also
the years of experience that drive up compensation. But a lot goes into leading
a project from start to finish - all while staying within scope and budget. So,
when large-scale projects are in play, it is best to bring in a manager with a
PMP from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Standardizing all phases of a
project can reduce the risk of lost future work.
GIAC Certification
$135,906
Cyber threats are constantly rising, and cyber attacks are more sophisticated
and targeted. GIAC certifications develop and measure specific skill set areas. As
the cybersecurity field grows, GIAC certifications elevate some candidates above
the rest, proving high skill levels in focus areas - as opposed to just general
infosec knowledge. The process is rigorous and ensures to the government and
military a high competency for the candidate with a GIAC certification.
4 Cleared & Certified: Top 10 High Paying Certifications in National Security
Scrum Master
$134,770
Scrum Master certification is the sign of a problem solver. It’s no secret that the
government has many problems that need to be solved, and it’s important to find
creative solutions that keep up with the complexity of the situation. The Scrum
Master certification can make leaders stand out from their competition. It’s
certainly not a certification for everyone, but for some leaders in the company,
this can be a definite value-add. If innovation is what you need, it might be time
to hire a Scrum Master certified to bring about organizational change.
Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
$132,752
Cisco offers five levels in their certification offerings. No surprise that the two
expert-level options land on the top 10 paying certifications. And when it comes
to designing complex network solutions, a CCDE on the resume can make it
stand out from the rest. As the technology shifts in the DoD, finding candidates
with proven skills in designing or integrating network architecture is the
difference between gaining follow-on work after a contract win. Hiring experts
isn’t cheap, but it’s an area of expertise that’s worth the investment.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
$130,629
With everything headed to the cloud these days and the federal government
headed in that direction, cloud certifications with key players is a must for
candidates. The biggest certification provider is Amazon Web Services, and some
of their popular cloud services are Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), Glacier, and
Simple Storage Service (S3). All of these are becoming widely adopted. Amazon
also offers AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, AWS Certified Solutions Architect
(Associate), and AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Professional).
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
$130,178
For the more seasoned candidates, adding a CISM certification to the resume
can be a career boon - especially for those in oversight and design roles within
their organization’s information security. The CISM process will strengthen
knowledge on information security governance, risk management, program
development, and incident management. Adding the CISM certification can help
make a standout for a candidate with a few years of experience under the belt.
Cleared & Certified: Top 10 High Paying Certifications in National Security 5
VMware Certified Professional/VMware
Certified Advanced Professional (VCP/VCAP)
$125,659
VMware certifications are a large investment in time and money, so
candidates with this on their resume should get noticed. This certification
has a live exam setting that requires candidates to not only prepare well in
advance but show that they can perform under pressure. The value of the VCP
is that it proves a candidate can solve real-world IT problems on the spot. It
also proves that a candidate has the knowledge and skills needed in order to
provide a scalable and reliable virtualization platform.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
$124,561
For the second year in a row, this retired certification by Microsoft still makes
it into the top 10 list for highest paying certifications for cleared professionals.
Clearly, this certification continues to play a role in earning a six-figure salary
for cleared IT professionals. Previously, the MCSE was part of Microsoft’s cloud
certification line-up, but it was a piece of the cloud puzzle, proving IT experts
have the ability to move their organization to the cloud and improve data
security. This certification is often a stepping stone for candidates looking to
claim other role-based Microsoft certifications.
Certifications are a Key Recruiting and Retention Strategy
It all comes down to credibility, which in the are a win for everyone - contractors, clients, and
age of candidates ghosting recruiters and candidates. As contract requirements shift to
disinformation circling the news cycles, finding meeting technology advances, certifications will
candidates with validated skills is a game changer continue to be a piece of the winning puzzle.
in meeting contract requirements. Certifications
are an investment, and many of them require Albert Einstein once said, “Any fool can know.
ongoing maintenance. Candidates who go the The point is to understand.” A certification
extra mile for certifications prove that they have proves that a candidate can put knowledge into
a willingness to learn, grow, and prove their action.
knowledge and skills. Bottom line? Certifications
6 Cleared & Certified: Top 10 High Paying Certifications in National Security
SIX-FIGURE SALARIES FOR OTHER CERTIFICATIONS
Other popular certifications also provide six figure salaries -
even if they don’t make it into the top 10.
CERTIFICATION TOTAL COMPENSATION
COMPTIA CLOUD+ $123,935
Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) $122,215
Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundations $120,895
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate $118,476
Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) $116,953
Six Sigma $111,530
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) $109,597
COMPTIA NETWORK+ $106,476
Google Certified Professional (GCP) $103,086
COMPTIA SECURITY+ $102,916
Important information about our survey
The 2022 Security Clearance Compensation students, those whose compensation was below
Survey was administered online by ClearanceJobs $18,000 or above $300,000, and finally incomplete
from September 17, 2020 and December 31, 2021. or duplicate questionnaires, there remained
In 2021, there were 52,028 survey participants, 24,089 usable responses in 2021. Survey results
an increase of 14% over the 2020 survey. After are compared to the 20,548 usable responses
excluding survey respondents without a security captured in 2020 that followed the same
clearance, unemployed, active-duty military, parameters.
Cleared & Certified: Top 10 High Paying Certifications in National Security 7
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