Highest-Paying Cyber Certifications Listed by Estimated Earnings in 2023
In the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity, professionals can significantly boost their earning potential by earning one of the many respected certifications available. This article highlights some of the top cybersecurity certifications, their focus areas, and the average salaries associated with them.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a highly respected certification in the cybersecurity field, often linked to some of the highest salaries. In the United States, average salaries for CISSP holders typically range from around $110,000 to $150,000 annually, with senior or managerial roles, like Information Security Manager, reaching over $230,000 [3][4][5].
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is designed for information security managers, with an average salary of around $120,000 to $140,000 per year [1].
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a certification focused on IT risk management and compliance, with an average salary of around $90,000 to $110,000 per year [1].
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a certification focused on IT audit and compliance, with an average salary of around $100,000 to $120,000 per year [1].
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a popular certification for penetration testing and ethical hacking, with an average salary of around $90,000 to $110,000 per year [4][5].
GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
The GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) validates an individual's knowledge in incident handling and incident response, usually aligning with cybersecurity analyst or incident responder roles earning between $90,000 to $120,000 or more [4].
Certified Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP)
An advanced CISSP concentration, the CISSP-ISSAP, focuses on security architecture. ISSAP holders, who specialize in this area, typically earn salaries higher than standard CISSP holders, often in the range of $140,000 to $180,000+ [1].
Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) is a certification focused on secure software development, with an average salary of around $90,000 to $110,000 per year [1].
The top cybersecurity certifications, based on earning potential for those who hold them, have been listed. It's important to note that salaries vary widely based on location, experience level, and the employer’s size and industry.
In addition to the financial benefits, earning a cybersecurity certification can demonstrate one's qualifications and skills, enhancing one's career prospects in this increasingly important field. The demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals is increasing daily, making these certifications valuable tools for those looking to advance their careers in this exciting and challenging industry.
[1] Payscale.com [2] Glassdoor.com [3] Indeed.com [4] Cybersecurityventures.com [5] ISC2.org
- Information security, a crucial aspect in the rapidly expanding cybersecurity field, can lead to significant increase in earnings for professionals, particularly those with respected certifications.
- The Encyclopedia of cybersecurity terms describes the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) as a highly sought-after certification, often associated with one of the highest salaries in the field.
- In terms of technology, the CISSP certification is linked to roles like Information Security Manager, with average salaries ranging from $110,000 to $150,000 annually, and can even exceed $230,000 for senior or managerial positions.
- The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), designed for information security managers, also offers a promising salary range of around $120,000 to $140,000 per year.
- The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), with a focus on IT risk management and compliance, typically provides an average salary of around $90,000 to $110,000 per year.
- The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), which concentrates on IT audit and compliance, offers an average salary of around $100,000 to $120,000 annually.
- The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), a popular certification for penetration testing and ethical hacking, usually results in an average salary of around $90,000 to $110,000 per year.
- The GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) validates an individual's knowledge in incident handling and incident response, often resulting in salaries between $90,000 to $120,000 or more, typically for roles like cybersecurity analyst or incident responder.
These top cybersecurity certifications, listed based on their earning potential, can help professionals bolster their career prospects in the data-and-cloud-computing era, where the demand for qualified cybersecurity experts is rapidly growing.
