Everyone’s looking for ways to advance his or her career. This is particularly true in today’s technology world where everything changes at a rapid pace, making it easy for skills to become outdated and you to be left behind. So how can you make sure to avoid that skills gap and stay ahead of the competition?

One of the easiest and best ways to keep a competitive edge is to have the most up-to-date IT certifications. IT certifications can open up new doors in your career and lead to significant salary increases. Check out some of the most popular IT certifications that can result in the highest paying jobs.

Boost Your Career (and Salary) with IT Certifications

PMP CertificationThe Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam tests the following areas of project management: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. This certification ensures the ability to handle any type of project and is not specialized into sub types.1 Average 2016 salary: $116,094.1

Security+ Certification

CompTIA Security+ certification covers

network security and risk management. This certification

validates fundamental, vendor-neutral IT security knowledge and

skills.2 Average 2016 Salary: $81,467.1

CISM Certification Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification is geared toward management roles because it deals more so with assessing policies and securities strategies. It requires a minimum of five years experience

in information security.1 Average 2016 Salary: $122,291.1 Network+

CertificationCompTIA Network+ confirms

that the individual has the skills to design, configure, manage, and

troubleshoot both wired and wireless networks. This is a vendor-neutral networking certification.3 Average 2016 Salary: $74,828.1

A+ CertificationCompTIA A+ is held by over one million IT professionals worldwide. A+ outlines best practices in networking, security, and troubleshooting across multiple devices.4 Average 2016 salary: $72,546.1

CertificationThe Certified Information Systems

Security Professional (CISSP) exam is a vendor-neutral certification designed for

professionals with five or more years of experience. This exam ensures an

understanding of new threats, technologies, regulations,

standards, and practices.5 Average 2016 salary:

$121,923.1

Sources:1 Hales, John. “15 Top-Paying Certifications for 2016.” Global Knowledge, n.d. Web. 3 June 2016. https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en/content/articles/top-paying-certifications/.2“CompTIA Security+.” Certification. CompTIA, n.d. Web. 3 June 2016. https://certification.comptia.org/certifications/security.3“CompTIA Network+.” Network+ Certification. CompTIA, n.d. Web. 3 June 2016. https://certification.comptia.org/certifications/network.4“CompTIA A+.” A+ Certification. CompTIA, n.d. Web. 3 June 2016. https://certification.comptia.org/certifications/a.5“CISSP® - Certified Information Systems Security Professional.” (ISC)2, n.d. Web. 19 August 2016. https://www.isc2.org/cissp/default.aspx.

For more on how to start training for a certification today, visit https://itpro.tv/join/free-membership/.

Popular and High Paying

Certifications

Obtaining certifications can help set you apart from the competition and get you on your way to a better payday.

CISSP