7 Certifications That Raise Wages Without a Four-Year Degree

A four-year college degree can be expensive and out of reach for many workers, but advancing a career doesn’t have to require one. For those looking to upskill, change paths, or increase their earning potential, professional high-paying certifications can be a powerful way to do it.

A new analysis from LiveCareer highlights seven certifications that pay well without a degree, based on the Burning Glass Institute’s Credential Value Index, which reviewed more than 23,000 credentials to see which ones truly move the needle in today’s job market.

Key Findings

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 those holding the credential are also included.

Ordered from highest to lowest wage gains:

Project Management Certification: +$6,500 annually | 38% non-BA earners
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

This analysis helps workers cut through the noise and find short certificate programs that pay well, even if they don’t have a college degree. Whether just starting out, pivoting careers, or trying to increase salary potential without going back to school, earning one of these credentials offers a real pathway to higher wages and upward mobility.

How to Make Certifications Work for You

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 over three 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 skills 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—tailor your resume to mirror that language. 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. Use your cover letter to briefly explain how earning yours has made you more effective in your role or helped you grow professionally, and be sure to incorporate how you’ve used the credential in your answers to interview questions.

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.

For press inquiries, contact Elizabeth Buccianti, senior manager public relations, at elizabeth.buccianti@bold.com.

Methodology

The certification rankings in this report are based on findings from the Credential Value Index, an ongoing research initiative led by the Burning Glass Institute. The index evaluates the labor market outcomes of more than 23,000 non-degree credentials by analyzing the career trajectories of over seven million U.S. workers. To identify high-value certifications, LiveCareer researchers examined the annual wage premiums associated with each credential and the proportion of credential holders without a bachelor’s degree to spotlight certifications that offer mobility without necessarily requiring a four-year college education.

About LiveCareer

LiveCareer's online Resume Builder is designed to empower its users to get better jobs and improve their job search. A one-stop shop among AI resume builder tools, LiveCareer features cutting-edge resume templates, a powerful cover letter builder, and extensive free career resources to support job candidates in reaching their professional goals. Trusted by over 10 million users around the world, LiveCareer has been publishing expert advice from Certified Professional Resume Writers since 2005. LiveCareer’s career tips have been featured in renowned media outlets, including Bloomberg, Forbes, and Newsweek. Stay connected with LiveCareer's latest updates to improve your job search on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.