If your resume looks identical to how it looked a year ago…your income probably does, too.
Fail to prioritize growth and professional development, and it will cost you:
- Access to career growth opportunities and remote jobs
- Top-tier clients willing to pay premium pricing
- And your dream job opportunity
Employers are 96% more likely to hire someone who completed a microcredential (short online course like the ones listed below) than a candidate without one. Nine in 10 U.S. employers take it further and state that they’re more likely to hire candidates with GenAI certifications than those without them, and over 90% are willing to offer a higher starting salary if you have a professional certification, according to Coursera.
But you need the right certification paired with a portfolio as visible proof of your skills, to get you in the door.
These three affordable and industry-recognizable certifications can unlock $100,000+ roles, without you needing to go back to school and plunge yourself into debt for a degree:
1. Generative AI Software Engineering Specialization, by Vanderbilt University, via Coursera
- Was recently updated in July 2025
- Who it’s for: Tech professionals seeking to upskill and build with AI
- Level: Intermediate
- Why it pays well: AI is an in-demand high-income skill, and so is software engineering, with the BLS (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics) predicting a 17% surge in demand up to 2032. Combining both skills (skill stacking) brings you closer to the top 3% of earners in your field.
2. Generative AI Leader Professional Certificate, by Google Cloud Training, via Coursera
- Was recently updated in May 2025
- Who it’s for: HR managers, senior executives and business leaders, middle managers
- Level: Beginner
- Why it pays well: Senior leadership roles generally pay very well, but when you combine this with AI training, you’re able to multiply your impact and significantly reduce costs in your organization. You also become invaluable in your line of work.
3. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
- Who it’s for: Experienced cybersecurity professionals, managers, and leaders
- Level: Advanced
- Why it pays well: You’re able to gain increased access to higher-paying job prospects in the information security/cybersecurity industry, and you’ll be at the forefront of a high-growth industry (cybersecurity job demand is projected to increase by 33% over the next few years, according to the BLS). The cybersecurity market itself is expected to reach a staggering value of over $196 billion this year, according to Statista analysts. Additionally, this industry is recession-proof.
Which Certification Has The Highest Salary?
Let’s evaluate each certificate in the list above, and the roles you’d work in (bear in mind that the income potential after studying these certifications will increase beyond the average salaries listed, post-completion):
1. Generative AI Software Engineering Specialization
Average salary: $136,454
2. Generative AI Leader Professional Certificate
Average salary: From about $89,000 for an HR manager to $810,724 for the average CEO in the U.S.
3. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
Average salary: $147,757, according to the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, (ISC2)
Unless otherwise noted, all salaries listed are from Glassdoor.
How Do I Know Which Certification To Choose?
To find the right certification to boost your income and enhance your career prospects, follow these steps:
- Assess your long-term goals, and if you’re not sure, now’s the time to start deciding on them.
- Research the certifications and career path necessary to achieving your long-term career goal.
- It might be best to consult with mentors and professionals already in your desired role, who have already achieved career success; you can also have a conversation with your manager if you are currently employed, as they may be able to advise and also include a learning plan as part of your work.
But remember, it’s not the paper that gives you a raise or brings high-paying clients. It’s your results. The certification acts as proof that you can deliver results. It shows that you’re passionate about continual professional development, demonstrates adaptability and a growth mindset (an in-demand skill by employers, according to the World Economic Forum), and evidences that you have fresh practical knowledge for your area of expertise. This builds trust.
Pick a certification and start studying this week. No more excuses. Your salary will thank you for it later.