IT Salary Survey: Do tech certifications pay off?

Technology certifications can help you achieve career goals. They show employers you’re committed to learning, you take professional development seriously, and you have special skills and knowledge.

At least, that’s the traditional thinking. But when asked about the return on investment (ROI) of IT-related certifications, respondents to IDG’s 2020 IT Salary Survey were positive — but not overwhelmingly so.

The following is a look at how IT professionals regard the value of certifications, along with the certifications that have helped them the most — and least — and which certifications they’re planning to pursue in the next 24 months. The findings are from the 2020 IDG Insider Pro and Computerworld IT Salary Survey of 2,269 IT professionals, the majority of which (1,889) were full- and part-time employees.

The online survey was conducted Sept. 24 through Dec. 2, 2019. Of the employees who responded, the majority — 44 percent — hold a bachelor percents degree while 27 percent have a master’s degree, 17 percent hold a technical or community college degree, 8% have a high school or equivalent degree and 2 percent have a Ph.D.

IT professionals are…