The 18 Highest Paying IT Industry Certifications in 2016 – Canadian Edition
Introduction: Canadian IT Industry Facts
Before we get to the IT certifications and salary ranges, we want to highlight the growing demand for more professionals in this this industry. There is a real pressing shortage of IT professionals in Canada, and the world (we reported on the world-wide shortage of IT professionals here earlier this year).
Salaries in this industry are very generous, and rising faster than almost every other industry. According to Robert Half Technology, IT salaries in Canada are rising at an average of 5.1% annually.
Accordingly, job qualifications are also increasing, creating more demand for certification programs and higher skilled professionals.
If there was ever any doubt about the importance of the IT Industry in Canada today, the facts show just how important it really is.
There were about 811,000 information communication and technology professionals employed in Canada at the end of 2015, according to the IT Labour Market Outlook 2015-2019 produced by the Information Communication Technology Council (ICTC).
While these numbers ~seem~ high, it also calculates that Canada will require an additional 182,000 qualified IT professionals by 2019—to fill positions for information systems analysts and consultants, computer and network operators, Web technicians, software engineers and others.
“The latest innovations in ICTs – in particular the Internet of things (IOT) as well as social, mobile, analytics, apps and cloud (SMAAC) – have become drivers of innovation, productivity and growth,” the report said. “…It is projected that the availability of homegrown ICT talent will not be sufficient to meet these hiring requirements.”
A particular concern is the small number of youth opting for ICT careers. As the current workforce ages, the void does not seem to be filling with younger workers entering the industry. This could become a chronic issue over time.
What this all means is that due to skills mismatch, retirements, and other exits—demand-supply imbalances will affect some job positions more than others.
Some of the higher-demand occupations identified by this report are:
- Information systems analysts and consultants
- Computer and network operators and web technicians
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers
- Software engineers
- Graphic designers and illustrators
- Computer and information systems managers
- Database analysts and data administrators
- Medium demand occupations include:
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- Web designers and developers
- Computer engineers
- Electrical and electronics engineers
- User support technicians
- Systems testing technicians
For more information, you can read the entire ICT’s (Information and Communication Technology Council) report here: Labour Market Outlook 2015—2019 The Smart Economy Reshaping Canada’s Workforce.
The 18 Highest Paying IT Industry Certifications
About IT industry certifications, we thought it would be interesting for job-seekers and others to see what kind of positions they could lead to. Or if your company is looking to hire some talent soon, you might want some ideas of what certification requirements and salary ranges look like in Canada today.
We couldn’t possible cover every certification program and IT-related job here, but we do report on some of the top paying and trending certifications and positions popular here in Canada. What’s interesting is the wide range of IT positions each can lead to.
Before we get to those top IT designations lower down on this page, we’ll show you our list of the 42 TOP PAYING IT POSITIONS first.
All IT position, certification and salary details reported here are for Canada, in 2016 Canadian dollars and rounded to the nearest $500.
42 of the Top-paying IT Positions in Canada
IT & CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION
| POSITION | SALARY RANGE |
| Chief Information Officer (CIO) | $165,500 – $245,000 |
| Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | $149,000 – $219,000 |
| Chief Security Officer (CSO) | $147,000 – $235,000 |
| VP Information Technology | $159,000 – $235,000 |
| Technology Director | $123,000 – $167,000 |
| Information Technology Manager | $109,000 – $153,000 |
IT NETWORKING
| POSITION | SALARY RANGE |
| Network Architect | $64,500 – $161,000 |
| Wireless Network Engineer | $104,000 – $136,000 |
| Network Engineer | $93,500 – $123,000 |
| Network Manager | $50,000 – $122,000 |
DATABASE ADMINISTRATION
| POSITION | SALARY RANGE |
| Data Architect | $116,000 – $160,500 |
| Database Manager | $110,500 – $156,000 |
| Data Warehouse Manager | $105,000 – $150,500 |
| Data Warehouse Analyst | $98,000 – $138,500 |
| Data Modeller | $98,000 – $138,500 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $94,500 – $127,000 |
| Database Developer | $96,000 – $126,000 |
| Database Administrator | $90,000 – $120,000 |
| Data Analyst/Report Writer | $78,500 – $110,000 |
IT SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
| POSITION | SALARY RANGE |
| Senior IT Auditor | $119,000 – $184,000 |
| Senior Project Manager | $103,000 – $157,500 |
| Senior Solutions Architect | $84,500 – $156,500 |
| IT Auditor | $94,500 – $123,000 |
| Senior Systems Engineer | $67,000 – $118,000 |
IT SECURITY
| POSITION | SALARY RANGE |
| Data Security Analyst | $105,250 – $157,250 |
| Information Security Manager | $80,000 – $152,500 |
| Network Security Engineer | $106,000 – $142,250 |
| Network Security Administrator | $98,500 – $138,500 |
| Information Security Specialist | $53,000 – $124,000 |
APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT
| POSITION | SALARY RANGE |
| Project Manager | $99,750 – $154,750 |
| ERP Technical Developer | $107,500 – $152,500 |
| Applications Architect | $115,750 – $151,500 |
| Mobile Applications Developer | $100,000 – $143,500 |
| ERP Business Analyst | $100,000 – $132,000 |
| Business Systems Analyst | $95,000 – $130,000 |
| CRM Technical Developer | $93,500 – $126,000 |
| CRM Business Analyst | $92,500 – $120,000 |
| Developer/Programmer Analyst | $85,000 – $125,000 |
| Systems Analyst | $84,500 – $113,000 |
WEB DEVELOPMENT
| POSITION | SALARY RANGE |
| Senior Web Developer | $100,250 – $132,000 |
| Web Developer | $76,750 – $105,000 |
| Web Designer | $78,000 – $106,000 |
Top-paying IT Certifications in Canada
Where to Start
Choosing an area, taking classes and getting certified can almost guarantee a good paying job in the IT sector in Canada today. Coupled with a university degree and a few years of experience can put your career on a fast-track to a richly rewarding career path.
But even without a degree, there are plenty of unfilled entry-level positions waiting for new professionals entering this field. Demand is high, the more professional certifications you acquire, the more higher-paying positions you will qualify for.
It is not uncommon in the IT industry for the highest paying jobs to be filled by professionals with four, six or more professional certifications, along with several years working experience across two or more related positions.
Other varying pay factors include where in Canada you live, and the type of company or organization you work for.
18 Top Paying IT Certifications for Canada in 2016
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
Typical salary range for Certification
$62,000 – $110,500
Typical positions for professionals with a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) Certification
Software Developer
Senior Software Engineer
Sr. Software Engineer / Developer / Programmer
Software Engineer
.NET Software Developer / Programmer
Learn more here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/learning/mcsd-certification.aspx
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
Typical salary range for Certification:
$45,000 – $122,500
Typical positions for professionals with a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
Network Engineer
Sr. Network Engineer
Network Architect
Network Specialist
Telecommunications Network Engineer
Learn more here:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en_ca/training-events/career-certifications.html
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Typical salary range for Certification:
$76,000 – $157,000
Typical positions for professionals with a Certification in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Information Technology Director
Senior IT Project Manager
Information Systems Analyst
Learn more here:
http://www.isaca.org/certification/crisc-certified-in-risk-and-information-systems-control/pages/default.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISACA
Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation
Typical salary range for Certification:
$69,000 – $157,500
Typical positions for professionals with an Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation
Project Manager, Information Technology (IT)
Information Technology (IT) Manager
Senior Project Manager, IT
Information Technology (IT) Director
Business Analyst, IT
Learn more here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITIL
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Typical salary range for Certification:
$81,500 – $127,000
Typical positions for professionals with a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification
Information Security Manager
Senior Security Consultant
Security Consultant (Networking/ Information Technology)
IT / Security Director
Learn more here:
http://www.isaca.org/certification/cism-certified-information-security-manager/pages/default.aspx
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Typical salary range for Certification:
$83,000 – $$148,000
Typical positions for professionals with a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Specialist
Systems Security Architect
Data Security Analyst
Security Auditor
Learn more here:
https://www.cissp.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Information_Systems_Security_Professional
IT Project Management Professional (PMP)
Typical salary range for certification:
$58,500 – $157,500
Typical positions for professionals with IT Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Senior IT Project Manager
IT Project Manager
Learn more here:
http://www.pmi.org/certification.aspx
Certified Information Systems Auditor
Typical salary range for certification:
$58,500 – $119,000
Typical positions for professionals with Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Information Technology (IT) Auditor
Senior Information Technology (IT) Auditor
Senior Auditor
Internal Auditor Directory
Information Security Manager
Learn more here:
http://www.isaca.org/certification/cisa-certified-information-systems-auditor/pages/default.aspx
CCIE Routing and Switching
Typical salary range for Certification: CCIE Routing and Switching (CCIE)
$65,000 – $123,000
Typical positions for professionals with a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification:
Network Engineer
Sr. Network Engineer
Systems Administrator
Technical Support Engineer
Learn more here:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en_ca/training-events/career-certifications.html
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
Typical salary range for Certification: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
$45,000 – $122,500
Typical positions for professionals with a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification:
Network Engineer
Sr. Network Engineer
Network Architect
Network Analyst
Network Specialist
Learn more here:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en_ca/training-events/career-certifications.html
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Typical salary range for Certification
$59,500 – $116,000
Typical positions for professionals with a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Network Administrator
Network Engineer
Information Technology (IT) Manager
Systems Administrator
Network Analyst
Learn more here:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en_ca/training-events/career-certifications.html
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
Typical Salary range for Certification
$38,500 – $108,500
Typical positions for professionals with a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
Systems Administrator
Information Technology (IT) Manager
IT Consultant
Network Administrator
Senior Technical Consultant
IT Manager
Learn more here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/learning/mcitp-certification.aspx
Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
Typical salary range for certification: Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
$61,000 – $107,500
Typical positions for professionals with a certification in Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
Cisco Networking
Network Management
Network Administration
Network Design
IT Management
IT Security & Infrastructure
Virtualization
Learn more here:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en_ca/training-events/career-certifications.html
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Typical salary range for Certification: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
$42,000 – $108,000
Typical positions for professionals with a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification
Security Consultant (Computing/Networking/Information Technology)
Information Security Analyst
IT Security Administrator
Security Analyst
Learn more here:
https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/ca/courses/certified-ethical-hacker-training/
https://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Ethical_Hacker
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
Typical salary range for Certification: Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
$42,044 – $103,008
Typical positions for professionals with a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Certification
Software Developer
Systems Administrator
Information Technology Manager
Network Administrator
Senior .NET Developer/Programmer
Learn more here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/learning/microsoft-certified-professional.aspx
CompTIA Network+
Typical salary range for Certification:
$34,500 – $98,000
Typical positions for professionals with a CompTIA Network+ Certification
Network Administrator
Systems Administrator
Support Technician, Information Technology (IT)
Information Technology Manager (IT)
Information Technology (IT) Support Specialist
Learn more here:
https://certification.comptia.org/
Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNPP)
Typical salary range for Certification: Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNPP)
$42,000 – $11400
Typical positions for professionals with a Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNPP) Certification
Network Engineer
Network Administrator
Network Analyst
Sr. Network Engineer
Network Specialist
Learn more here:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en_ca/training-events/career-certifications.html
VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
Typical salary range for Certification: VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
$52,072 – 94,639
Typical positions for professionals with a VMware Certified Professional (VCP) Certification
Systems Administrator
Information Technology Architect
Information Technology Manager
Network Administrator
Systems Analyst
Learn more here:
http://mylearn.vmware.com/portals/certification/
Conclusion
If you’re looking to change careers, or quickly improve your skills and income, any of these certifications are a good place to start. In this industry, related skills in the same, or even different areas, can help expand your growth opportunities.
For companies, if you want to hire good IT professionals make sure you are hiring with the right qualifications for the position. The salaries posted here show you what kind of pay good certified candidates will expect. However, even the best offered salaries today won’t guarantee you’ll find the right skills you need in light of the current skills shortage.
Managed IT Services
This explains why managed services are another one of the fastest-growing areas in North America. Everything from fully managed services to managed network security, managed antivirus and managed backup services are available to companies and organizations today.
Researched and published exclusively at Netcotech Network Solutions (www.netcotech.com)
Sources: Wikipedia; Payscale Human Capital; Robert Half Technology; Canadian Information processing Society (CIPS); Information Communications and Technology Council (ICTC-CTIC); ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association)