Coding Certifications: Highest-Paying Certification, Exam Preparation, and Job Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for information security analysts is projected to be 33 percent between 2020 to 2030. This systems security certification will help you advance in this growing, lucrative field.

It is best suited for professionals with five or more years of cyber security experience. It will showcase your competency in asset security, risk management, software development security, and engineering security.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Overview

• Average Salary: $120,000
• Cost: $749 for the exam; $125 annual membership fee for (ISC)² certifications
• Requirements: Minimum five years of paid professional experience in a minimum of two CISSP CBK domains. A four-year college degree or additional credential from the (ISC)² approved list will satisfy one year of required experience
• Valid For: Three years
• Exam Length: 125 to 175 questions in 4 hours
• Best Suited For: Cyber security professionals with five or more years of information security experience and experience in two or more CISSP domains who want to prove their information systems security skills formally

Potential Careers With Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Chief Information Security Officer: $170,271
• Cyber Security Engineer: $98,391
• Information Assurance Analyst: $79,073

If you have an in-depth understanding of coding systems and cloud architecture and want to get a job in cloud computing, then this AWS certification is for you. It also requires you to have Python, Java, data storage, and system security skills. It is best suited for professionals looking to enter the AWS cloud architecture platform.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate Overview

• Average Salary: $118,000
• Cost: $150
• Requirements: Recommended one or more years of distributed systems design experience. In-depth understanding of the AWS management, framework, and networking systems
• Valid For: Three years
• Exam Length: Fifty multiple-choice and multiple-response questions in 130 minutes
• Best Suited For: Professional systems architects or developers who want to formally prove their skills in AWS architecture

Potential Careers With AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

• Clouds Solutions Architect with AWS Skills: $127,260
• Solutions Architect: $121,581
• Cloud Engineer: $91,409

Cisco certifications are highly valuable to software development and network security professionals. This enterprise certification is apt for individuals with intermediary networking skills and three to five years of in-field experience. It showcases your network architecture, security, assurance, and automation knowledge.

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Overview

• Average Salary: $99,000
• Cost: $400
• Requirements: Recommended three to five years of experience implementing and administering Cisco solutions. You can also a free Cisco Learning Network membership for exam practice
• Valid For: Three years
• Exam Length: 120 minutes
• Best Suited For: Network security professionals with three to five years of experience looking to formally prove their network security and Cisco system enterprise understanding

Potential Careers With Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

• Information Assurance Manager: $107,988
• Network Engineer: $76,634
• Systems Engineer: $75,544

According to Statista’s most used programming languages among developers list, Java ranks among the top five most popular programming languages alongside Python and SQL. This certification is best suited for coding professionals with an ample grasp of the Java programming language.

You can also take online coding courses to ace this certification and increase your job placement chances across software or application development professions.

Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer Overview

• Average Salary: $90,000
• Cost: $245
• Requirements: Complete the beginner and intermediate Java SE 8 training. Earn 65% or higher
• Valid For: Indefinite time
• Exam Length: Seventy multiple-choice questions in 150 minutes
• Best Suited For: Professional Java programmers who want to become Oracle Java Certified

Potential Careers With Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer

• Oracle Developer: $90,681
• Java Developer: $79,079
• Application Developer: $72,373

This Cisco network certification is great for entry-level networking or coding professionals who have a foundational or intermediate understanding of networking and programming concepts. It will prove your competencies in network security, system automation, IP connectivity, and network programming.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Overview

• Average Salary: $82,000
• Cost: $300
• Requirements: Recommended ample practice with CCNA exam study materials and training. Network and systems administration experience
• Valid For: Three years
• Exam Length: 120 minutes
• Best Suited For: Associate network administrators who want to formally prove their network security skills

Potential Careers With Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Information Technology Manager: $89,288
• Network Engineer: $76,634
• Systems Engineer: $75,544

Coding certifications are a great career booster for network security and software development professions. You can use this CompTIA Network+ certification to prove your IT infrastructure and management skills. This can open up job possibilities across health information management, system management, or network management sectors.

CompTIA Network+ Overview

• Average Salary: $70,000
• Cost: $348
• Requirements: Recommended nine to 12 months of networking experience
• Valid For: Three years
• Exam Length: Ninety multiple-choice and performance-based questions in 90 minutes
• Best Suited For: Entry-level network engineers or systems administrators who want to formally prove their network security, troubleshooting, and CompTIA Network+ skills

Potential Careers With CompTIA Network+

• Cyber Security Analyst: $77,381
• Network Engineer: $76,634
• Systems Administrator: $63,899

If you want to land a coding position in healthcare settings or at insurance companies, then this medical coding certification is for you. It showcases your expertise in diagnostic coding, risk assessment, medical billing, reimbursement methodologies, and patient records.

Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) Overview

• Average Salary: $65,000
• Cost: $299 for one attempt
• Requirements: Must have an AAPC annual membership. CRC training or equivalent experience. 70% or higher to pass the certification
• Valid For: Two years
• Exam Length: One hundred multiple-choice questions in 4 hours
• Best Suited For: Medical coders with patient risk score coding and data experience who want to formally prove their risk assessment coding skills

Potential Careers With Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)

• Coding Manager: $72,856
• Medical Coding Auditor: $61,788
• Inpatient Hospital Coder: $51,123

Getting this medical coding certification from AHIMA requires candidates to have an in-depth understanding of medical terminology and outpatient records, along with medical coding experience. You can take online medical coding classes or enroll in online medical billing and coding bachelor's degrees to prepare for this certification.

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Overview

• Average Salary: $64,000
• Cost: $399 (non-member); $299 (member)
• Requirements: Recommended one year of coding experience and medical courses, 2 years of direct application coding experience, or CCA credential
• Valid For: Two years
• Exam Length: 115 to 140 multiple-choice and medical scenario questions in four hours
• Best Suited For: Coders with two or more years of direct application coding experience who want to formally prove their medical coding skills

Potential Careers With Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

• Clinical Documentation Specialist: $76,815 
• Coding Manager: $72,856  
• Medical Coder: $45,291

This CPC certification is a great asset for aspiring health information management or medical billing professionals. It requires an AAPC membership and an in-depth knowledge of medical billing, outpatient settings, surgical procedures, and medical codes.

You can prepare for this computer-based exam with AAPC's online training and practice questions. This certification is apt for professionals wanting to land lucrative coding jobs at pharmaceutical companies or in a hospital setting.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Overview

• Average Salary: $49,004
• Cost: $399 for the CPC exam. $758.80 for the CPC basic prep and exam bundle. $1,107.80 for the CPC best value prep bundle. Price goes up if you pay for two attempts at the in-person exam
• Requirements: CPC training or equivalent coding experience. Maintain annual AAPC membership. Proof of two years or equivalent medical coding experience with the CPC Apprentice credential. Score 70% or higher in the exam
• Valid For: Two years.
• Exam Length: One hundred multiple-choice questions in 4 hours
• Best Suited For: AAPC-trained or experienced medical coders who want to formally prove their medical coding proficiency skills

Potential Careers With Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

• Medical Coder: $45,291
• CPC-Apprentice Coder: $44,000
• Outpatient Coder: $40,396

This medical billing and coding associate certification is great for entry-level medical coders who want to formally prove their programming language knowledge. It requires six months or more of medical coding skills and extensive knowledge of medical terminology and procedures. It can help you advance your career in the health information management sector.

Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Overview

• Average Salary: $45,000
• Cost: $299 (non-member); $199 (member)
• Requirements: Recommended six months of direct application coding experience, complete AHIMA-approved coding program, or complete other medical coding training program
• Valid For: Two years
• Exam Length: Ninety to 115 questions in 2 hours
• Best Suited For: Medical coders with foundational coding skills who want to formally prove their coding skills

Potential Careers With Certified Coding Associate (CCA)

• Coding Specialist: $58,552
• Medical Records Coder: $47,994
• Medical Coder: $45,291

• Cost: $84.99
• Duration: 19.5 hours of videos
• Best Suited For: CompTIA Network+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

This certification is apt for individuals who want to prepare for CompTIA and other network security-based coding certifications. This course prepares you for the CompTIA Network+ certification but also covers network infrastructure, information security, and network security.

• Cost: Free for the limited audit track; $49 for the verified track
• Duration: Two to 4 hours per week for 4 weeks
• Best Suited For: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

This AWS course is great for individuals who want to prepare for AWS cloud certifications and are looking to gain cloud architecture and networking skills. It is offered by AWS architects and has around 17,505 enrollees. You will learn the AWS responsibility model, network isolation, CloudWatch application, and cloud security.

• Cost: $49 for graded materials and certificate
• Duration: Thirty-eight hours over 4 weeks
• Best Suited For: Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

This intro to medical software is apt for medical billing and coding newbies who want to get a foundational understanding of health information and hospital systems. It covers medical software requirements, medical coding, system testing, and software design. It has a 4.8-star rating.

• Cost: $79 per month subscription
• Duration: Six hours per week for 4 months
• Best Suited For: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

This Introduction to Programming course will help you master Python and data structures. Although it is best suited for data science certifications, learning Python is a necessity for coding certification exams. It will cover Java programming, Python syntax, data analysis, programming principles, and data visualization.

• Cost: Free for the limited audit track; $129 for the verified track
• Duration: Two to three hours per week for eight weeks
• Best Suited For: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

If you want to master system architecture and software development or clear professional software development-based coding certifications, then this course is for you. It will cover software architecture, software design, and career development tips for software architecture professionals.

Cloud engineers are responsible for developing, upgrading, and maintaining an organization’s cloud architecture. You need to master cloud architecture, storage systems, and popular cloud platforms.

Best Certification for the Job Role

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate. AWS is a popular cloud platform, and having an AWS certification will help you advance in your cloud engineering career.

Information technology managers are tech leaders who are responsible for overseeing the projects, systems, and staff of a tech department. They oversee software upgrades, system security, and network management tasks.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). This Cisco certification is a great stepping stone to an information technology management position. It will help you showcase your network security and management skills.

A medical coding auditor is responsible for overseeing the technical, billing, and compliance aspects of medical records. You need to master medical coding, billing systems, hospital procedures, and medical software systems for this job.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC). This risk adjustment certificate will display your medical terminology, medical billing, coding, and records assessment skills.

A clinical documentation specialist is a healthcare professional who works with medical records and data. They need to master data collection, health information technology, and medical record processing.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). The certified coding specialist certification will showcase your mastery of medical record collection, medical billing, and health information management skills.

Application developers are responsible for designing and developing functional mobile or web application software. They need to master coding languages, software development, and front end development languages.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer Certification. Oracle’s Java programming certification is a great addition to your Android app developer portfolio.