3 Key Takeaways from the 2017 IT Skills and Salary Report

Since 2007, the annual Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report has provided critical research on salary trends, in-demand skills, and the impact of certifications and trainings on salary for IT professionals across the United States and Canada.

Beginning with the 2017 IT Skills and Salary Report, the survey expanded beyond the US and Canada to include respondents from EMEA, Latin America, and the APAC region. In total, there were more than 14,300 respondents worldwide who completed the survey. Here are three key takeaways from this year’s study:

1. Certification Makes a DifferenceRespondents across the board said certification brought multiple benefits, including higher productivity, swifter troubleshooting, and fewer skills gaps. Additionally, certification pays off: On average, certified IT staff in the US earn 11.7 percent more than their uncertified counterparts.
2. Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and Networking are in demand.The three areas of expertise most in demand worldwide are currently cloud computing, cybersecurity, and networking. Additionally, this demand is reflected in salaries, with workers in cybersecurity reporting the highest overall salary and those in cloud computing reporting the fifth highest salary.
3. Salary Averages Are Rising in the US and Canada.The 2016 research saw a decline in overall salary in the United States and Canada. This year’s study reflects a significant reversal with the average salary up 5.7 percent, or approximately $4,000.

The accuracy of the data gathered in this research increases with the number survey participants, and for that reason we were thrilled to see that this year’s pool of respondents included nearly 900 VMware certifications!

As we head into the final months of 2017, we invite all of you who’ve received certifications and trainings through VMware to take the survey and help increase the accuracy of data even further for the 2018 report. As a way of saying thank you, participants will receive a free copy of the report, which will be ready in the Spring of 2018.

Don’t wait! Take the survey today.