Are IT Certifications Worth It in 2026?
Yes, IT certifications can still be worth it in 2026, but their value depends heavily on which certification you choose, your current experience, and the role you are targeting.
Certifications remain particularly useful in cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI and machine learning, networking, IT support, governance, and vendor-specific technologies. They can validate skills, strengthen a resume, support promotions, and give beginners a structured learning path. However, certification alone is rarely enough. Employers increasingly expect credentials to be backed by hands-on skills, projects, labs, and practical experience.
Recent employer research reinforces this. Pearson’s 2026 Value of IT Certification Employer Report found that 92% of surveyed organizations require or strongly prioritize certification as part of their workforce strategy, while 93% reported a positive return on investment from certified IT employees.
Those seeking a simplified overview may find Cert Empire’s Facebook update particularly useful.
Are IT Certifications Still Valuable in 2026?
They are, especially in technical fields where employers need a reliable way to verify knowledge.
A certification can demonstrate that you have studied and been assessed on a defined set of skills.
Its value may include:
- Validating technical knowledge
- Helping your resume pass screening
- Building confidence in a new technology
- Creating a structured learning roadmap
- Supporting promotions or internal transfers
- Demonstrating specialization
- Keeping skills current
- Helping career changers establish credibility
The need for current technical skills remains strong. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections show computer and IT occupations growing much faster than the overall average, with roughly 317,700 openings per year projected from 2024 through 2034.
Why Certifications Matter More in Some IT Fields
Certification value is not equal across every technology role.
It is particularly strong when employers depend heavily on standardized platforms or regulated technical knowledge.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity remains one of the strongest areas for certification.
Popular paths include:
- CompTIA Security+
- ISC2 CC
- CISSP
- CCSP
- CISM
- CRISC
- OSCP+
ISC2’s 2026 research involving more than 1,500 cybersecurity professionals found that 67% considered vendor-neutral certifications very impactful to their careers, while 65% said the same about vendor-specific credentials.
Security certifications can be especially useful because they validate knowledge across risk, governance, operations, architecture, incident response, cloud security, or offensive security.
Cloud Computing
Cloud certification remains valuable because organizations continue to rely heavily on AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
Useful credentials include:
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Microsoft Azure Administrator
- Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect
- Google Associate Cloud Engineer
- Google Professional Cloud Architect
Cloud certifications work best when combined with actual experience creating:
- Virtual networks
- Compute resources
- Identity policies
- Storage
- Databases
- Monitoring
- Infrastructure automation
A cloud certification without hands-on skills may help with screening, but practical troubleshooting is what usually matters once you reach the interview or the job.
AI and Machine Learning
AI certification has become much more important in 2026.
Pearson’s employer research found the largest reported IT skills gap was in AI and machine learning at 76%, followed by cybersecurity at 59% and cloud computing at 52%.
Current certification paths include credentials covering:
- Generative AI
- Machine learning engineering
- AI agents
- MLOps
- GenAIOps
- AI infrastructure
- Cloud AI development
Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, and NVIDIA have all expanded their AI credential portfolios.
However, AI is also one of the fields where certification alone is least convincing. Employers will usually want to see Python, APIs, model integration, RAG, AI agents, data handling, and real projects.
Networking
Networking certifications can still provide strong value, particularly certifications such as:
- Cisco CCNA
- Cisco CCNP
- CompTIA Network+
Networking itself is evolving rather than disappearing.
Modern network professionals increasingly work with:
- Cloud networking
- Network automation
- Infrastructure as code
- APIs
- Security
- Software-defined networking
BLS projections show traditional network and systems administrator employment declining 4% from 2024 to 2034, partly because some tasks are shifting toward DevOps and managed services. However, around 14,300 openings per year are still projected because of replacement demand.
This means networking certifications offer greater value when combined with automation, cloud, and security skills.
Are Certifications Worth It for Beginners?
They can be particularly useful for beginners.
Someone without professional experience has fewer ways to demonstrate technical knowledge. A recognized certification can provide a structured starting point.
Good beginner certifications can include:
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- ISC2 CC
- CompTIA Security+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Google Cloud Digital Leader
- Entry-level AI credentials
For beginners, the certification itself is only part of the benefit.
The study process helps create a roadmap through an otherwise overwhelming amount of technology.
Are Certifications Worth It for Experienced Professionals?
Yes, but for different reasons.
Experienced IT professionals normally do not need certification to prove that they understand basic concepts.
Instead, certifications can help them:
- Enter a new specialization
- Validate vendor expertise
- Move into architecture
- Transition into cybersecurity
- Progress toward leadership
- Learn emerging AI technologies
- Meet employer or partner requirements
An experienced systems administrator, for example, may use an Azure or AWS certification to transition into cloud engineering.
A security engineer may pursue CISSP to move toward architecture or leadership.
The certification becomes a career-positioning tool rather than an introduction to IT.
Certifications vs Experience: Which Matters More?
Experience generally becomes more important as roles become more senior.
Consider two candidates:
Candidate A: Five certifications but no labs, projects, or technical work.
Candidate B: One relevant certification plus projects, practical skills, and experience troubleshooting real systems.
Candidate B will often present the stronger technical profile.
The strongest combination is:
Certification + Hands-On Skills + Experience
Certifications prove that you have completed a standardized assessment.
Experience demonstrates that you can actually solve problems.
They should complement each other.
Can IT Certifications Increase Your Salary?
Potentially, but no certification guarantees a specific salary.
Salary depends on:
- Job role
- Experience
- Country
- Industry
- Employer
- Technical specialization
- Leadership responsibilities
- Existing skills
Certifications can contribute indirectly by helping someone qualify for a more specialized or senior role.
For example, a cloud engineer, security architect, or network architect may earn more than an entry-level technician, but the higher salary comes primarily from the responsibilities and required expertise of that position.
Pearson’s 2026 employer research estimated that certified IT employees deliver nearly $18,000 in additional annual organizational value on average, although this figure measures employer-perceived business value rather than individual salary increases.
When Are IT Certifications Most Worth It?
Certification usually offers the strongest ROI when:
- Job descriptions regularly request it
- You are changing careers
- You lack formal experience
- You need vendor-specific skills
- Your employer pays for the exam
- It supports a promotion
- You are entering cloud or cybersecurity
- You need to learn a new platform
- It is part of a clear certification roadmap
For example, earning CCNA makes sense if you want networking work.
Earning AWS Solutions Architect Associate makes sense if your target jobs require AWS.
The closer the credential matches your desired job, the higher its potential value.
When Is a Certification Less Valuable?
Certification may provide limited value when:
- You collect credentials without a career goal
- You avoid hands-on practice
- The exam is unrelated to your target role
- The credential has little recognition in your field
- Your existing experience already exceeds the certification level
- You study outdated versions
- You expect the credential alone to guarantee employment
One of the biggest mistakes in certification planning is pursuing certificates because they are popular rather than because they solve a career problem.
How to Choose an IT Certification in 2026
Use a role-first approach.
- Decide what job you want.
- Review 20–30 relevant job descriptions.
- Identify recurring technologies and certifications.
- Check the current vendor certification path.
- Compare exam cost and difficulty.
- Confirm that the credential is active.
- Build hands-on projects while studying.
- Use practice tests to identify weak areas.
- Earn the certification.
- Apply the knowledge in projects or real work.
Prepare for IT certifications with updated exam questions and study resources: https://certempire.com/
Which IT Certifications Are Most Worth It in 2026?
The best choice varies by career path.
| Career Goal | Certifications to Consider |
| IT Support | CompTIA A+ |
| Networking | CCNA, Network+ |
| Cybersecurity | Security+, ISC2 CC, CISSP |
| AWS Cloud | Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect |
| Microsoft Azure | Azure Fundamentals, AZ-104 |
| Google Cloud | Cloud Digital Leader, Associate Cloud Engineer |
| AI | Microsoft, AWS, Google and NVIDIA AI credentials |
| Cloud Security | CCSP and vendor security certifications |
| IT Management | CISSP, CISM and related governance credentials |
The important point is not to earn all of them.
Choose one path and build depth.
What Employers Think About Certifications in 2026
Current employer research suggests certification is not becoming irrelevant.
Pearson reported that 78% of employers investing in workforce upskilling planned to invest specifically in certification, making certification their leading upskilling investment. Nearly nine in ten leaders also expected certifications to become more important over the following three to five years.
Microsoft similarly continues to structure its credentials around real-world job responsibilities across AI, cloud, security, and business roles.
That does not mean every certification is equally valuable. It does suggest that validated technical skills remain useful to employers.
Conclusion
IT certifications are still worth it in 2026 when they are connected to a clear career goal.
They can help beginners establish credibility, experienced professionals specialize, and employers verify skills across cloud, cybersecurity, networking, AI, and other technical areas.
The strongest value comes from combining certification with hands-on projects, labs, troubleshooting, communication, and actual job experience.
Do not collect certifications simply to increase the number of badges on your profile. Choose credentials that match the technologies and responsibilities of the job you want.
Used strategically, IT certifications remain a worthwhile career investment in 2026.
FAQs
Are IT certifications still valuable in 2026?
Yes. Employer research published in 2026 shows organizations continue to prioritize certifications for skill validation, workforce development, and closing technical skills gaps.
Can I get an IT job with certifications and no experience?
It is possible for some entry-level positions, but projects, labs, internships, and practical troubleshooting skills can significantly strengthen your application.
Which IT certification is best for beginners?
CompTIA A+ is useful for general IT, ISC2 CC for cybersecurity, and foundational AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud certifications for cloud career paths.
Are cloud certifications worth it?
Yes, particularly when they match the cloud platform used by your target employers and are supported by hands-on experience.
Is experience better than certification?
Experience generally carries more weight for senior roles, but certification can validate skills, support career transitions, and complement experience. The strongest profile combines both.
Read More: Best Microsoft Certifications for AI and Machine Learning Careers in 2026