Structured Query Language (SQL) is a programming language used in data science to process large sets of data. Certifications for SQL show how competent you are in this popular programming language, allowing you to land jobs that require SQL proficiency. Finding the best SQL certifications is difficult because of the sea of database certification programs available.
In this article, we discuss the highest-paying SQL certifications to make your search easier. Plus, we’ll discuss how you can prepare for these certification exams, the exam topics covered, and what the job outlooks and salaries are for different jobs that use SQL.
What Is a Professional Certification?
A professional certification demonstrates your professional competency in a specific field, skill, or subject through your successful completion of a standardized exam, typically offered by an independent body.
Most professional certifications come with a designation title if you pass the certification exam. Employers often look for these certifications to judge a candidate’s ability to perform the duties required by a role.
What’s the Difference Between Certification and a Certificate?
The difference between a certification and a certificate is that a certification is granted after taking a standardized assessment to demonstrate your knowledge and abilities, while a certificate is an educational program wherein students gain more knowledge about a subject and, in some cases, prepare for a higher education degree.
You will have to complete some courses and earn a specific number of course credits to gain a certificate. Meanwhile, for a professional certification, your experience and knowledge level is validated by passing the exam administered by an industry-accepted organization. Certification courses are available for exam preparation but they are not mandatory.
Why Is Certification in SQL Important?
A certification in SQL is important because it affords SQL professionals several benefits, including higher-paying jobs in database management, demonstration of essential SQL skills, and a fundamental understanding of future SQL technologies and in-demand skills.
According to a 2017 report by Burning Glass Technologies, in career fields where certifications are valued, having a desirable certification can increase your salary by 18 percent. The report also found that an SQL certification is often requested in hybrid fields, such as the marketing and PR field since SQL is not typically taught in a marketing degree program.
Best SQL Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM Associate Certified DBA – Db2 12 for z/OS Fundamentals | IBM | $103,000 | $200 |
| MySQL 2021 Certified Implementation Specialist | Oracle | $100,000 | N/A |
| PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification | EnterpriseDB | $100,000 | $200 |
| Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification | Oracle | $99,003 | $245 |
| Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) PL/SQL Developer | Oracle | $97,000 | $95 |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals | Microsoft | $97,000 | $99 |
| IBM Certified Database Associate – DB2 11.1 Fundamentals | IBM | $96,000 | $200 |
| Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator Certification | Oracle | $91,100 | $245 |
| Oracle Certified Foundations Associate, Database | Oracle | $90,000 | $95 |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate | Microsoft | $59,250 | $165 |
Best SQL Certifications to Further Your Career
How to Choose the Best SQL Certification for Your Career
The are several factors involved in choosing the best SQL certification for your career. Some professionals opt for more than one certification, depending on the skills they wish to showcase. Regardless, here are the top factors you should consider when choosing the best SQL certification for your professional tech career.
Consider Your Career Goals
What level are you at in your career and what top tech jobs do you hope to land? Your answers will inform the SQL certification you should choose. For example, if you are just starting out, an entry-level or associate SQL certification would be a good way to work toward an entry-level job in SQL development.
Choose a Reputable Certification
The entire strength of a certification lies with the provider. Therefore, you want to choose a provider that is widely accepted in the industry, like Oracle or Microsoft, to ensure that your certification has demand among employers.
Take a Look at Your Budget
SQL certifications have different costs, with some being more affordable than others. It’s important to look at the certifications you have selected and compare costs. That way, you can go for the best certification that meets your budget. You might also want to consider how often the certification needs to be updated as that can contribute to costs, as well.
Which SQL Certifications Pay the Most?
The SQL certifications that pay the most are IBM Associate Certified DBA – Db2 12 for z/OS Fundamentals, MySQL 2021 Certified Implementation Specialist, PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification, Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification, and Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) PL/SQL Developer.
Highest-Paying SQL Certifications
- IBM Associate Certified DBA – Db2 12 for z/OS Fundamentals: $103,000
- MySQL 2021 Certified Implementation Specialist: $100,000
- PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification: $100,000
- Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification: $99,003
- Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) PL/SQL Developer: $97,000
Which SQL Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The SQL certifications that are best for beginners are IBM Associate Certified DBA – Db2 12 for z/OS Fundamentals, PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification, Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification, Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) PL/SQL Developer, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals.
These SQL certifications are best for beginners because they help new SQL professionals demonstrate their competencies in the basics and fundamentals of SQL. Also, these SQL certifications provide learning materials that help candidates gain more knowledge and improve their skills before taking the certification exam.
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Best College Certificate Programs
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How to Prepare for Your SQL Certification Exam
Sitting for an SQL certification exam means you already have a solid understanding of fundamental concepts in SQL and possess relevant skills and experience. However, you will still need to prepare for your SQL exam regardless of your level of expertise in SQL.
A good way to start preparing for your SQL certification exam is to know the courses and exam topics you must study. You should also find other learning resources to help you study, including self-study guides, practice tests, and computing books.
Best Courses to Prepare for SQL Certification Exams
SQL prep courses will ensure you are equipped with enough knowledge to pass a certification exam. These training courses are offered by some providers in an instructor-led training format. Let’s take a deeper look at the best courses to prepare for SQL certification exams below.
Other Resources to Prepare for Your SQL Certification Exams
In addition to regular training courses, you can make use of other resources to help you prepare for your SQL certification exams. An overview of the best SQL exam prep resources is provided below.
Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
This book goes over the details of Microsoft Azure security, reviewing topics covered in the Microsoft Azure certification exam. This resource might not be best for those with experience in the implementation of security controls and systems but it might be useful for covering some knowledge that you might be missing.
Microsoft Azure Security Technologies Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $29
- Ideal For: Individuals looking to learn all there is about Azure security fundamentals through self-study
Study Groups
If you have friends or colleagues who also want to take the same certification exam, then you all could meet and study together. That could provide an excellent way to go over the course material for the certification exam and take practice quizzes to learn SQL topics together.
Study Groups Overview
- Type of Resource: Study group
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: People who want to study with other people
Microsoft Certified Official Practice Test – DP-300
The Microsoft Certified Official Practice Test DP-300 contains 122 questions that prepare you for the certification exam that leads to the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification. You’ll learn how to implement a secure environment, perform administration by using T-SQL, optimize query performance, and more.
Microsoft Certified Official Practice Test – DP-300 Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $90
- Ideal For: People who want to take practice tests before the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam
Reddit Communities for SQL
The Reddit communities r/LearnSQL and r/SQL are active communities where SQL beginners and SQL experts join forces to advance each other’s knowledge of the language. You can ask questions and find helpful resources within these communities.
Reddit Communities for SQL Overview
- Type of Resource: Online community
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: Those learning SQL skills who wish to ask questions and share resources with other learners
Stack Overflow
Stack Overflow is an online community where users collaborate to solve technical questions related to computer science. Search for SQL topics on Stack Overflow to find a constantly updating series of discussions that cover countless SQL certification exam topics and help you learn SQL terminology.
Stack Overflow Overview
- Type of Resource: Online community
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: SQL learners with specific technical questions
Best Online Courses
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SQL Job Outlook and Average Salary
Tech professionals with SQL skills usually become database administrators, data scientists, or database developers. The number of job openings for database administrators and architects will grow by a stable eight percent between 2020 and 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and database administrators have a median annual salary of $98,860.
While many advertised SQL jobs list an undergraduate or graduate degree as part of the requirement, a certification can prove very useful. Earning an SQL certification can prove to employers that you possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform your job duties. The next section will cover the best SQL jobs you can land after gaining an SQL certification.
Best SQL Jobs After Certification
The best SQL jobs after certification are data scientist, database administrator, database architect, web administrator, and computer network architect. Now, let’s take a look at these jobs in detail, including the best Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator Certification jobs.
Best SQL Associations
The best SQL associations provide a community of professionals that help foster professional growth, learning, and collaboration. Some of the best SQL associations you should consider joining are the Association of Data Scientists, Data Science Society, and Cloud Computing Association.
Association of Data Scientists
If you are looking for the best professional body of data scientists and machine learning experts in the world, then you cannot look beyond the Association of Data Scientists. By joining this professional body, you can become a Chartered Data Scientist and enjoy a 30 percent discount on the examination cost. You also get access to a wealth of resources for your career growth.
Data Science Society
The Data Science Society is an international community of data science professionals pooling together knowledge and resources to help one another. As a member, you get to attend several Data Science Meetups and the annual Datathons organized by the association in different countries.
Cloud Computing Association
This membership association is made up of users and providers of different cloud-based services. Members gain access to its conferences, summits, and expos that help build their knowledge, skills, and expertise in cloud computing.
Are SQL Certifications Worth It?
Yes, SQL certifications are worth it because they allow you to demonstrate your competency in SQL. An SQL certification proves your skills and expertise to potential employers, allowing you to get better jobs and earn higher salaries. So, if you’re looking to advance your career then gaining an SQL certification is worth it.
Additional Reading About SQL
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SQL Certifications FAQ
No, a certification is not better than a graduate certificate because a graduate certificate shows that you attended formal training at college, whereas a certification is earned through taking a singular exam and doesn’t require you to attend a program. However, a certification demonstrates to employers that you have a particular skillset and experience in a subject.
No, you can not get free SQL certifications. Paid SQL certifications offered by industry heavyweights like Microsoft and Oracle are reputable and many of them are relatively affordable and may allow you to negotiate a pay raise.
No, you cannot get a perfect alternative to SQL. While there are similar languages, like the Hibernate Query Language, none perform the exact roles and functions of SQL. However, there are some frontend alternatives that can be used to write SQL in an application, such as SchemeQL, ScalaQL, and ActiveRecord.
Yes, you can earn more with an SQL certification because an SQL certification proves to employers that you are proficient in SQL. You can get better roles and better pay with an SQL certification, especially if you work in a hybrid industry that has a lack of qualified SQL experts, like marketing or PR.
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