16 Certifications That Can Boost Your Salary and Career

Updated 22 May 2023

Having certifications can show a hiring manager or your current employer that you have a commitment to your career and want to continue to develop your skills. This may encourage employers to increase your salary based on your advanced knowledge and skills. Learning more about the certifications that can boost your salary can be beneficial for your resume and your career. In this article, we discuss several certifications in different industries that may help you get a higher salary and improve your skill set.

How do you select certifications that can boost your salary?

When choosing certifications that can boost your salary, it's important to evaluate several factors. One of these factors is how the certification relates to your industry. If it provides you with greater knowledge of your specific field, it may help when it comes to salary increases. Additionally, consider choosing a certification that teaches you something you don't already know. For example, if you're interested in working as a welder, certification can provide both training and credentials.

Certifications that can help increase your salary

The following are certifications in various industries that you might consider when pursuing a pay rise:

Healthcare certifications

Several healthcare certifications can help you advance your career in this industry and earn a higher salary. Some of these certifications are for university graduates, while others offer vocational training for those without a tertiary education. Here is a description of various certifications in this industry:

1. Certificate III in Individual Support

Offered through most Technical and Further Education (TAFE) providers, this certification is for those seeking vocational training in community and elderly care. It teaches you how to follow individualised plans to offer person-centred treatment. The main aim is to help people with disabilities or who are ageing.

2. Certificate III in Pathology Collection

This certification qualifies an individual as a pathology collector or phlebotomist, able to collect specimens such as blood samples and swabs. Offered through several TAFEs, students may receive both classroom and practical experience in pathology. This certification is also for those without a university education.

3. Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance offers a foundation for working in supporting positions within the healthcare industry. This course includes working in a variety of roles in a hospital under the supervision of another healthcare professional. Many TAFEs, such as HCA Healthcare Australia, provide this certification course. At HCA Australia, the course typically takes 24 to 38 weeks to complete. Like all other Certificate III programs, this course is for vocational training.

Project management certifications

There are a variety of project management certifications that can help advance your career. Here are a few common certifications:

1. Registered Project Manager (RegPM) Certification

The RegPM Certification offers validation of your ability to perform as a project manager within a company. It demonstrates to employers that your skills are of a high standard and that you're committed to current and new project management practices. Offered through the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), you can also enjoy membership and access to AIPM's vast collection of information on project management development.

2. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

Offered through the Project Management Institute (PMI) this globally recognised certification aims to assess and improve a candidate's abilities for greater career success. Several institutions, including PearsonVue, provide training and exam facilities for this certification. Many companies recognise this certification when hiring project managers and may offer higher salaries to candidates that possess it.

3. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

The PMI-RMP certification teaches project managers how to effectively manage risk to gain a competitive advantage and discover potential new opportunities. The course includes how to identify issues before they arise, how to mitigate threats and how to save resources on projects to benefit a company. The Project Management Institute offers this certification, and candidates sit a 115-question examination at the end of the course.

IT certifications

IT certifications can help boost the salary of these professionals and provide them with additional knowledge and skills. Examples of IT certifications include:

1. Certified Scrum Master

The Certified Scrum Master course provides a detailed overview of the scrum framework that candidates learn throughout the program. People with this certificate can work with Agile project management, and the course covers all methodologies related to scrum. Offered by many accredited providers, the course may consist of online training and a membership with Scrum Alliance.

2. Cisco Certified Network Associate

The Cisco Certified Network Associate teaches you how to design, install and support VLANs and critical network switches within an organisation. Upon completion of the course, IT professionals can understand how to use, troubleshoot and monitor WAN/LAN networks for a company. Offered through many institutions, such as The Knowledge Academy, the course includes five days of practical experience and training.

3. Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate

This certification, which Microsoft offers, is appropriate for developers, data analysts and functional consultants who want to improve their configuration and consulting skills. It involves the creation of model-driven portal apps and canvases. This certification can help you market yourself more effectively for company projects and show organisations you can create solutions that typically require a developer.

Accounting certifications

Here are a few certifications to consider if you want to boost your salary in the accounting field:

1. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Offered through the CFA Institute and many other providers, this certification teaches you how to connect current practices and professional and ethical standards with investment theory. It also helps you improve your investment analysis and portfolio management skills. This certification has three levels of examinations, and the course is available to those with an undergraduate degree.

2. Certificate IV in Accounting & Bookkeeping

This certification is for non-university graduates working in the accounting industry or for employees who regularly perform bookkeeping duties for an organisation. Components covered in the course include preparing and lodging instalments and business statements and applying specialist knowledge in completing non-routine and routine duties. You can take often take the course through a combination of online and on-campus classes and experiences.

Social media certifications

Many organisations use social media, and social media specialists can regularly improve their knowledge and skills in this area to increase their salaries. Here are a few social media certifications to consider:

1. Certificate of Social Media and Engagement

Offered through providers, such as Australian Online Courses, the Certificate of Social Media and Engagement teaches you how to interact with consumers to enhance engagement on social media. It covers how to create and establish a social media presence using various applications and tools. Courses include how to develop a web presence using social media, how to use social media to engage customers and how to conduct e-marketing communications.

2. Social Media Certification

The Social Media Certification provides training to help you enhance your social media marketing skills through projects. This certification program includes reputation management, content and influencer marketing and web analytics. Offered through organisations like Simplilearn, these courses often provide practical projects and give you access to e-learning content.

3. Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)

The CDMP program can be a way to advance your career through learning various digital marketing strategies. Typically, this course may attract brand directors, production managers, digital marketing managers and digital marketing leads. Providers such as Monarch Institute offer this certification.

Marketing certifications

Here are a few marketing certifications to consider to advance your marketing career:

1. Certified Practising Marketer (CPM)

Offered through many organisations, such as the Australian Marketing Institute, the CPM designation is one of the highest recognitions for marketers. Most candidates for this certification need a minimum of five years of marketing management experience and a recognised marketing qualification. To obtain this certification, applicants sit an assessment that includes both quantitative and qualitative elements.

2. HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification

Offered primarily through HubSpot Academy, the HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification is an option for marketers who deal mostly with inbound business. Examples of topics in the curriculum include creating a company purpose, creating buyer personas, setting business goals and developing the buyer's journey for a business. It takes an estimated two hours to complete, and the course includes six lessons, 15 videos and four quizzes.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.