Claims that noncertified IT professionals earn more than their certified counterparts should not negate the necessity of certifications. Prometric has recently witnessed a revival in the certification market (over 10% growth across all IT certification programs this year), driven largely by the fact that the knowledge, skills and abilities learned as part of a four year degree program are no longer aligned with the demands in the IT job marketplace. Employers are increasingly looking to certifications as proof of a specialized skill set, while candidates are demanding them to secure higher salaries and coveted positions.

In an increasingly global marketplace potential employers are looking for an across-the-board standard of demonstrated skill sets in a potential candidate. Certifications can provide this standard and are often required as a prerequisite to being hired. In the same vein, certifications have an effect on earning potential. Promotions and pay raises are given based on experience and skill level in any job; in IT, certifications make it easy to show an employer that you have the desired skills to move ahead in your company/career.

While business skills are important as well in moving ahead in an IT career, they are more likely to lead you down a business facing path that does not require the technical certifications that are needed to say, oversee help desk operations or manage the development of new network infrastructure. I would hypothesize that some of the uncertified IT professionals surveyed in the Foote Partners study are baby-boomers, who have never been certified, as certifications were not necessary during their hiring but are now, and are most likely so entrenched in their careers that they have risen to a level where business acumen and experience is of more value than an IT certification.

According to the 2006 Certification Magazine Salary Survey the average IT salary is on the rise, up over $5,000 from last year. So, are we comparing apples to apples here? To say that certifications have no effect on salary seems like a broad statement. I think real answers can be found by looking at the question, whose salary are we looking at?

Ray Kelly
Senior Vice President, Client Services, Sales and Marketing, Prometric