7 Certifications Proven to Boost Wages Without a Degree

Some of your students who may not plan to attend College can boost their wages by getting certified. Recent LiveCareer analysis identifies the top professional certifications that boost wages without the cost of a four-year degree. The full report (including top jobs for each credential) is available here.

These seven certifications stood out for offering above-average wage gains and having a significant share of earners without a bachelor’s degree. Top jobs for completers of the credential are also included. Ordered from highest to lowest wage gains:

• Project Management Certification: +$6,500 annually | 38% non-BA earners
  • Construction managers
  • Project management specialists
• Associate Certified Electronics Technician: +$4,300 annually | 48% non-BA earners
  • Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
  • Computer network architects
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): +$2,600 annually | 30% non-BA earners
  • Computer systems analysts
  • Computer user support specialists
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA): +$2,500 annually | 30% non-BA earners
  • Network and computer systems administrators
  • Computer network architects
• Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE): +$2,100 annually | 38% non-BA earners
  • Sales engineers
  • Information security analysts
• Citrix Netscaler SD-WAN Certification (CC-SDWAN): +$1,800 annually | 34% non-BA earners
  • Computer network support specialists
  • Facilities managers
• Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA): +$1,700 annually | 33% non-BA earners
  • Information security analysts
  • Computer network support specialists

Here is How Your Students Can Make Certifications Work for Them

1. Showcase certifications in a dedicated section on your resume.
Create a clearly labeled “certifications” or “professional development” section near the top of your resume (especially if the credential is relevant to your target role). List the full name of the credential, issuing organization, and date earned.

2. Reinforce your certification in your summary.
In your resume summary or personal profile, mention the certification to highlight it as a core qualification. Example: “Certified Project Management Professional (PMP^®) with 3+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams in logistics and supply chain settings.”

3. Add skills that align with the certification.
Most certifications map to specific technical or soft skills. Add these to your “skills” section and use them to describe achievements in your work history. Example for CEH: “Utilized ethical hacking techniques to identify and resolve security vulnerabilities across cloud-based systems.”

4. Tailor your resume for job listings.
If a job description mentions a credential you hold—or the skills associated with it—mirror that language in your resume. This boosts your chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

5. Mention certifications in your cover letter and interviews.
Certifications show initiative and up-to-date knowledge. Briefly explain how earning yours has made you more effective in your role or helped you grow professionally.

6. Keep them visible on social media profiles.
Don’t forget to list your certifications in the “licenses & certifications” section in your social media profiles. If available, include the credential URL so employers can verify it directly.