All IT Certifications: ROI & Cost Data
Every certification we track, organized by category. Click any cert for the full cost breakdown, salary data, and payback calculator.
Cloud Certifications
Fastest payback category. Exam fees $70–$300, salary bumps 15–35%.
Security Certifications
High premiums. DoD 8570 requirement drives Security+ demand.
Networking Certifications
Entry-point to IT careers. CompTIA and Cisco dominate.
Project Management Certifications
Real salary premiums, slower payback. PMP leads.
Finance & Accounting Certifications
High total cost, large lifetime salary premium.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Side-by-side cost, salary, and ROI for the most common "which one?" decisions.
Browse by Goal
Filtered views for specific situations.
Calculate Your Payback Period
Enter your salary and pick a cert to see the exact payback date and 5-year ROI.
Open CalculatorData: BLS OEWS, Global Knowledge IT Skills Report 2025, vendor exam fee schedules. Updated March 2026.
Data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Official Certification Body Fee Schedules, O*NET Occupation Data
Last updated: January 2025
How we calculate this · Payback calculations assume you qualify for and secure a role that values the certification. Outcomes vary by employer, region, and experience level.