The training and education you have often determines your pay. These are the Microsoft certifications that are most likely to pay off for you in 2019.
The last two years brought some significant changes in Microsoft Certification training, and these are beginning to show up in the form of dollars and cents on the job market today.
For several years, Microsoft appeared to be lagging behind several of the cloud-based technology giants out there, but with the new implementations of Azure, and bringing Microsoft Office into the cloud, they are climbing back up to preferred status in the industry.
Across the board, Amazon’s Solutions Architect has been one of the top paying jobs, but the reasons for this may not all be positive. Amazon has one of the widest nets spread across the globe and has been quickest to implement new technology, but their customers often complain of bugs in the system (the functions feel like they are still in beta test status) and they have some of the most downtimes for the entire network. These Amazon techs are valuable because there are lots of problems for them to try to fix in the system.
Compare that with Microsoft Azure, which has the most redundancy of all the cloud-based networks, which means they are the most stable and have the least amount of downtime. Microsoft has taken their time and trained their workers to get it done right the first time, making these jobs perhaps slightly less in demand, but much more valuable to businesses who need to know their cloud servers won’t crash in the middle of the night. Microsoft offers a variety of certifications though.
Top-paying IT certifications for 2019
Through 2018, three certifications consistently rated most-desired and top-paying.
MCSD
One was the MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solution Developer). This is the certification that trains you to create apps that work in a wide range of windows products. This is an efficient and versatile certification for those wanting to go into the field of innovative app development.
Because of this versatility, this was the highest paying certification of 2018. You cannot go wrong with this certification. The median pay in 2017 was just over $108,000.
MCSA
The second and third top-paying certifications for 2018 were the MCSA Azure Cloud Platform and the MCSA for Windows Server 2016.
These both work on designing and operating larger networks for businesses. While both implement cloud technology, the Azure focuses a bit more on analytics, while the Windows Server emphasizes the management of these servers. Both of these jobs came in right at and just over $108,000 also.
MCA office 365
Microsoft 365 Certifications came up in ranks seven and eight beneath certifications for Mobility and working with Linux. While these services have grown steadily and securely in the background, there is no news yet as to whether Microsoft will make a bigger push with 365 and what training and certification would be required for such a move.
Those interested in or holding these certifications have been advised to sit tight as see what happens at the end of the first quarter of 2019. For now, they bring in between $101,000-$103,000 in salary.
MCSE Cloud Platform
The number four spot is what to watch in 2019. The fourth-ranked top-paying certification of 2018 was the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure. While all the other salaries remained relatively stable throughout 2018, the pay received for this certification last year raised $15,000 – from $92k to $107k!
That was a significant leap that came on the back of the growing adoption of cloud services in Azure. It also marked a retirement of several certifications and the introduction of new role-based certifications for those working on Azure, cloud-based technology. It is new, and it appears to be working well.
It is expected that this certification will continue to rise in 2019 to match the growing need for cloud infrastructure design, administration, and development in businesses all over the world. These are the folks that help give and keep Microsoft Azure’s good name in the cloud-based business today.
While they may reach a saturation point somewhere along the way, the security in their job is that, while Azure is a stable and reliable cloud service, it is not easy to use without proper training.
Unlike other cloud services, Azure does not work well (nor does it claim to) as a SaaS or Managed Service. Managed Services require Azure-trained and certified workers, and it is too complicated to work autonomously as a SaaS. Businesses who want in on the Azure cloud platform will be most benefited by having MSCE Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certified employees among their own IT departments and teams.
In the IT race for 2019 the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure is not far behind and pulling up the lead. Will it overtake the MCSD for Apps Development? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, it is and will continue to be a major contender in Microsoft Certifications.