The Top 5 Professional Certifications That Actually Increase Salary

From tech roles to creative endeavours. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the certificates you need if you want a steady bank balance.

Right now, there are plenty of ‘influencers’ encouraging the younger generation to see simple scapegoat roots into earning lots. Often by doing the least. But, we’re here to tell you truthfully, there are ways to earn a lot, respectfully, and earnestly.

In today’s economy, career-wise, less is certainly far from being more. If you want to stand out, get your dream job, and earn comfortably, there is a string of certificates to keep your eyes on. Depending on how set you might be on the career you’ve chosen in your head. You might want to venture out a bit.

We’ve searched the web so you don’t have to! Here are our top 5 recommendations for professional certifications that can actually increase your salary. For those who are hunting for financial stability and freedom!

Project Management Professional

A Project Management Professional (PMP) is all about maintaining the brief. From developing the idea to ensuring it’s perfectly mapped out throughout the process. Despite its slightly unglamorous title, a project management professional is a creative thinker. They’re the ones who can develop innovative ideas that will align perfectly with their client. PMPs create mood boards that represent the brand with only a few words.

A role in project management is perfect for anyone who is a natural-born leader. Someone who enjoys facilitating concepts and steering a team towards a successful end goal.

Average Salary: £46 – 58k

Professional Certificate in Ethical Hacking

Secondary school will often teach you about hacking and paint it in a bad light. While the movies might entice you into the idea of it. However, there is an opportunity to find somewhere in between that.

Did you know you could get an official certificate in professional and ethical hacking? Yes. You can work towards attaining a professional career, in doing something that feels mischievous, but for moral reasons.

For those of you who have an appetite for IT, digital security and software, this might just be your gold-dust. Professional certificates in ethical hacking can be useful for roles in government high-risk environments, such as government policy or investigative journalism. It allows you to tap into spaces (literally) and legally, with the intention of uncovering important information. A professional certification in ethical hacking is another role that doesn’t seem that exciting, but has its creative tendencies.

Average Salary: £48 – 64k

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Certified Scrum Master

If this is the first time you’re reading about a ‘Certified Scrum Master,’ well, you’re in luck, because we’ve just uncovered it too! A ‘Certified Scrum Master’ isn’t exactly something you learn at school. However, according to new research, it is one of the top-grossing certificates, and could earn you one of the best wages in 2026. Here’s why:

Scrum is a framework for many departments that often also involves project management. Some of the main defining elements of being a scum master involve facilitating concepts and coaching teams. It’s about setting and keeping standards across the board. There are several roles within being a scrum master for which you can attain certifications. Such as Certified Scrum Project Owner, Professional Scrum Master, Registered Scrum Master and more. If you take a particular liking to this field, you can find out more on Indeed.

Average Salary: £54 – 64k

Cloud Certifications

Cloud certifications are the latest software-based route to earning you top money. Whether it’s through Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. Chances are, if you study within any of these fields, you can get to a high-grossing income pretty steadily.

The ‘cloud’ industry has come to be an exceptionally busy market and is another example of a role best suited for those with a taste for IT and online security. Cloud certifications enable you to develop advanced skills in software and data services.

Considering that society has grown to be dependent on phones/laptops/desktop computers, a job like this will forever be of value. It’s a skill you can crossover with in almost every line of work.

Average Salary: £53 – 69k

Salesforce Developer

Are you a socialite who loves speaking to people? Well, we might have the perfect role for you. A Salesforce developer is all about building a bridge between the customer and the business.

Attaining sufficient transparency for customer relationship management. It’s a people-first business that is best suited for those who care about being a part of something that seeks to address customer satisfaction above anything else.

If you’re keen to dive into the Salesforce development world, then the best route to check is with Salesforce itself. A credited organisation known for being a leading customer relationship management company.

Average Salary: £60 – 75k

If you’re a young adult who is unsure of the career path that’s best for you, or wish to develop skills that will help propel your career, sign up to become an Inside Success member today. Join our community, where we can teach you how to develop skills in customer service. Gain mentorship opportunities and build confidence.