Certifications That Can Boost Your Salary

It depends where you put your efforts. A recent survey of technology professionals by Dice Learning, a career Web site for technology and engineering professionals, determined the 10 certifications most likely to reap paycheck rewards.

The survey suggests a mix of certifications -- from entry-level to more senior qualifications -- are important. This week, Comptia added to its roster of entry-level courses. And the 750 openings on Dice that require CISSP seems to strongly suggest that you're never to too experienced to learn more. As one IT director, who preferred to be anonymous, said, "The entry-level certificates are great — but the senior-level certificates (VCP, VCDX, CCIE, CISSP, CISA) are definitely the certificates that get more attention from hiring managers and drive salary impact."

Dice, which also offers an online IT job board, also provided some insight as to the popularity of the various certifications in employment ads. Here now are the 10 most profitable certifications to have:

• PMP: The Project Management Professional certification indicates someone has the knowledge and skills needed to guide projects to a successful conclusion, on-time, on-budget, and using available resources. Currently 1,400 jobs on Dice request PMP certification.
• MCSE: Microsoft's Certified Systems Engineers is for professionals who spend their time maintaining, designing, implementing and administering technology infrastructures using Microsoft 2000 Windows Server and other Windows server platforms. Nearly 1,000 available career opportunities on Dice request this certification.
• CompTIA's A +: Professionals with this certification have demonstrated they can install networks, conduct preventative maintenance, secure them and troubleshoot them.
• CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associates can install, configure, run and troubleshoot midsize routed and switched networks, know the basics about security and wireless, and can work with a number of protocols. Slightly more than 650 job opportunities on Dice request the CCNA designation.
• MCP: Microsoft Certified Professionals include developers, trainer, system architects and other IT professionals.
• CompTIA's Network +: Network+ proves a technician's competency in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing and configuring basic network infrastructures. It's included in the certification programs of vendors including Microsoft, Novell, Cisco and HP.
• CISSP: Five years of experience in information security are needed before a professional can become a Certified Information Systems Security Professional. Nearly 750 open available career opportunities request this certification.
• MCSA: The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator certification is earned by experts in systems administration and troubleshooting networks that use the Windows Server operating environment.
• ITIL: The three-tier IT Infrastructure Library certification comprises the Foundation Certificate (basic knowledge of ITIL terminology, service support and service delivery), Practitioner Certificate (an understanding of specific processes within IT Service Management) and Manager's Certificate (expertise in overseeing service management functions).
• CompTIA's Security +: Knowledge of system security, network infrastructure, access control and organizational security is needed to obtain this certification.