Best IT Certifications 2025: US, UK & Europe Guide

Introduction

Breaking into IT or levelling up in 2025 can feel noisy: endless certification paths, Reddit debates and salary reports that don’t quite line up. Yet certifications still matter—surveys show that well over 90% of IT professionals now hold at least one cert, and many report promotions or pay rises after adding the right ones to their CVs.

Quick answer.
The best IT certifications in 2025 are the ones that line up with in-demand cloud, cybersecurity, networking and DevOps roles especially AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator, Google Cloud Architect, CompTIA Security+, CCNA, CISSP and CISM. Across the US, UK, Germany and wider Europe, these certifications offer a strong mix of salary uplift, remote options and long-term relevance, while more niche or outdated certs often don’t justify the time and exam fees.

This guide focuses on the US, UK, Germany and wider EU and gives you both a ranked view of the best IT certifications 2025 and a practical 12-month roadmap so you can turn them into real career moves, not just badges.

Best IT Certifications.

Top 10 IT Certifications in 2025 (Global)

If you just want the shortlist, here are 10 best IT certifications 2025 that consistently show strong demand and salary impact across the US, UK, Germany and the EU:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate (cloud architect / engineer)

Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)

Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect

CompTIA Security+ (entry security baseline)

Cisco CCNA (network fundamentals for on-prem + hybrid)

CompTIA Network+ (vendor-neutral networking)

(ISC)² CISSP (senior security leadership) ([ISC2][2])

ISACA CISM (security management for regulated sectors)

Kubernetes CKA (CNCF) (container orchestration)

ITIL 4 Foundation (service management & operations)

These certifications stand out in 2025 because they.

Map directly to roles with strong hiring demand and clear six-figure potential in markets like New York, London and Berlin.

Align with big trends: cloud migration, NIS2 and GDPR/DSGVO compliance, zero-trust security and SRE/DevOps.

Are recognised globally across US, UK and EU employers, not just in one country.

How We Ranked the Best IT Certifications 2025

To keep this guide practical, we scored certifications on.

Salary uplift & career ceiling how much they help you move towards roles where median pay sits above the general IT average (for context, US computer and IT occupations cluster around a six-figure median vs roughly half that across all jobs).

Hiring demand & GEO coverage how often these certs appear in job listings in hubs like New York, Austin, London, Manchester, Berlin, Munich, Dublin and Amsterdam.

Remote-friendliness whether the typical roles (cloud, security, DevOps) realistically support remote or hybrid work in the US and Europe.

Recertification cost & effort vendor lock-in, CE credits and re-exam fees over time.

Vendor reputation & longevity credibility and how likely the tech is to remain relevant (e.g., AWS, Microsoft, Google, Cisco, CompTIA, (ISC)², ISACA).

Best IT Certifications 2025 by Career Stage (Entry, Mid, Senior)

Beginners / career changers

CompTIA A+, Google/IBM IT Support, ITIL 4 Foundation, CompTIA Network+.

For those starting in US helpdesk or German “First-Level Support” roles, these build fundamentals and get you earning while you learn.

Mid-level upskillers

AWS Solutions Architect Associate, Azure Administrator, CCNA, CompTIA Security+, Cisco CyberOps Associate, Microsoft security-focused certs.

Ideal if you’re moving from on-prem sysadmin in Manchester or Frankfurt into cloud, SRE or SOC roles.

Senior / architect

CISSP, CISM, CRISC, Azure Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Architect, CKA, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor.

Designed for architects and security leaders working in regulated environments under GDPR/DSGVO, UK-GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2 or NIS2.

Most In-Demand & Highest Paying IT Certifications 2025 (US, UK, Germany & EU)

Most In-Demand IT Certifications 2025 by Region (US, UK, DACH, EU)

The most valuable IT certifications in 2025 for boosting salary in the US and UK are those tied to cloud and security roles: AWS & Azure architect tracks, CISSP/CISM, CompTIA Security+ and CCNA/CCNP. These appear consistently in job ads for New York, Austin, London and Manchester and increasingly in remote job listings open to candidates anywhere in the US or UK.

United States (NYC, Austin, SF/Seattle)

Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), security (Security+, CISSP, GIAC), DevOps (Kubernetes, Terraform), and data (Azure Data Engineer, Google Data Engineer).

United Kingdom (London, Manchester, Birmingham)

Strong pull for Azure, Microsoft 365, CISSP/CISM, Security+, supported by FCA, Open Banking and NHS security programmes.

Germany & DACH (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt)

AWS, Azure, ISO 27001, CISSP, CKA, often with explicit GDPR/DSGVO and BaFin/NIS2 language. German-language skills plus certs are a strong differentiator.

Wider EU (Dublin, Amsterdam, Paris, Warsaw)

Multi-cloud, security and SRE certifications tied to SaaS and fintech hubs; NIS2 and sector regulators (EBA, national bank supervisors) amplify demand.

Mak It Solutions already helps CIOs across these regions design compliant, modern cloud platforms exactly the kind of environments where these certifications pay off the most.

Highest Paying IT Certifications 2025 (Salary Bands & ROI)

Salary reports from Skillsoft, Global Knowledge and others consistently show cloud and security certifications at the top of earning tables.

Indicative ranges in 2025 (broad global ballpark, not guarantees)

CISSP / CISM often associated with roles in the low-to-mid six-figure range in the US and high five-figures to low six-figures in the UK, Germany and EU.

Cloud Architect (AWS/Azure/GCP) many roles advertised in six-figure bands in US hubs and roughly €80k–€120k in cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Dublin or Amsterdam.

Security+, Network+, CCNA strong entry-to-mid ranges in the upper five-figure to low six-figure brackets in major US and European cities.

Skillsoft’s research also notes that certified staff are widely perceived by IT leaders as adding substantial value per year, and many professionals report noticeable pay bumps after achieving new certifications.

Note
Salary figures are approximate and vary by city, experience, sector and negotiation. Treat them as rough guideposts, not guarantees or financial advice.

When “Top” Certifications Don’t Pay Off (Overhyped vs Actually Valued)

Not every “top 10 IT certification” list translates into real-world ROI. In the US, UK and EU, employers in 2025 tend to value certifications that clearly map to a role and tech stack they actually use.

Red flags that a certification may not be worth it for you.

It’s tied to outdated tech or a vendor that’s losing market share.

You see few or no job ads in your city or target GEO mentioning the cert.

It’s a generic “master” or “expert” badge with no clear role mapping.

It’s not recognised by major employers, regulators or partners (unlike CISSP, CISM, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Cisco).

Best Cloud & DevOps Certifications 2025.

Best Cloud Certifications 2025 for US & Europe (AWS, Azure, GCP)

If you’re choosing between AWS, Azure and Google Cloud certifications in 2025, start with the cloud platform most used by the employers you want to work for, then add a secondary cloud later. AWS remains dominant for startups and global SaaS, Azure leads in larger enterprises and public sector, and GCP is strong where data, ML and analytics are core.

AWS a great match for US startups in Austin, Seattle or the Bay Area, and for EU SaaS firms in Dublin and Amsterdam.

Azure often preferred by banks, insurers and the public sector (including the NHS and UK government) due to deep Microsoft stack integration and mature compliance documentation for GDPR/UK-GDPR.

GCP strong in data-heavy organisations, adtech, gaming and AI-centric platforms across the US, UK and EU.

For a deeper comparison of these three clouds, see Mak It Solutions’ AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud guide.

Best DevOps & Kubernetes Certifications 2025 (CKA, Docker, DevOps Pro)

Searches for “best DevOps certifications 2025” and “Kubernetes/Docker certifications worth it” usually converge on:

CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) core for platform/SRE roles.

CKAD or vendor DevOps certifications (AWS DevOps Pro, Azure DevOps Engineer)

Docker DCA  useful but secondary to CKA/CKAD on most job specs.

These are especially valuable in environments pursuing SOC 2, ISO 27001 or PCI DSS compliance because mature DevOps practices (IaC, immutable infrastructure, policy-as-code) make it easier to prove consistent controls to auditors.

Mak It Solutions’ work on future cloud hosting and multi-cloud strategy shows how DevOps and SRE skills underpin everything from FinOps to sovereign cloud in Europe and the Middle East.

Why Cloud & DevOps Certifications Stay in High Demand Across Europe in 2025

Cloud and cybersecurity certifications remain in high demand across Europe in 2025 because organisations are simultaneously.

Moving more workloads to AWS, Azure and GCP while keeping strict data residency and GDPR/DSGVO controls in place.

Preparing for NIS2, which raises the bar for security and incident response in many critical sectors.

Supporting hybrid and remote workforces across countries and time zones where cloud and DevOps skills let teams automate instead of manually “babysitting” servers.

Result: if you combine a major cloud cert (AWS/Azure/GCP) with DevOps or Kubernetes credentials, your profile tends to stay attractive in Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and beyond.

Best Cybersecurity & Networking Certifications 2025

Entry-Level Security & Networking Certs (Security+, Network+, CCNA)

If you’re wondering whether CompTIA Security+ is worth it in 2025, the short answer is yes especially as a baseline security certification for SOC analyst, junior security engineer or compliance-driven sysadmin roles in London, Manchester, Berlin, Frankfurt or Paris.

Pairing Security+ with Network+ or CCNA gives you enough networking and security fundamentals to talk confidently about firewalls, VPNs, VLANs, zero-trust and incident response in interviews.

Advanced Cybersecurity Certifications (CISSP, CISM, CEH, OSCP, ISO 27001)

At the advanced end, certifications like CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CEH, OSCP and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor are heavily used in:

Finance and fintech under BaFin (Germany), FCA (UK), SEC/FINRA (US) and EBA/EU banking rules.

Healthcare NHS in the UK, HIPAA-regulated entities in the US, and NIS2-impacted hospital systems in the EU.

SaaS & cloud platforms chasing SOC 2, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS to win enterprise deals.

These certifications are rarely “entry tickets”; they normally sit on top of several years’ experience plus one or two mid-level certs.

Ethical Hacking & Red Team Certifications.

Ethical hacking certifications like CEH and OSCP are worth it in 2025 when.

You’re targeting offensive security roles (red team, penetration testing) in US or UK consultancies, managed security providers or specialist boutiques.

You already have strong fundamentals (Networking + Security+ or CCNA/CCNP) and maybe some scripting

In Germany and wider EU, demand is growing but still concentrated in larger consultancies and critical infrastructures preparing for NIS2 audits. Fluency in German or French plus OSCP/CEH can be a serious differentiator.

Best IT Certifications for Beginners & Career Changers 2025

Entry-Level IT Certifications 2025 (CompTIA A+, ITIL, CCNA, Google/IBM IT Support)

For beginners switching into tech in 2025, the most “worth it” certifications are those that get you into a real job quickly while leaving the door open to cloud or security:

Support/helpdesk track
CompTIA A+, Google/IBM IT Support, ITIL 4 Foundation.

Networking track
CompTIA Network+, CCNA.

Cloud fundamentals
AWS Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Google Cloud Digital Leader.

Research suggests that certifications can be linked to meaningful salary increases; some studies have found IT pros who earned a new certification reporting average pay rises in the low-five-figure range.

IT Certifications for Career Changers (US, UK, Germany/EU)

If you’re moving from teaching, retail, or finance into IT.

US

Helpdesk/desktop support via A+ or Google IT Support → Azure/AWS fundamentals → Security+ or a cloud associate-level cert.

UK

Support roles in organisations like the NHS, local councils or regulated firms benefit from ITIL plus basic cloud certs and UK-GDPR awareness.

Germany / DACH

Entry roles often expect some German; pairing CompTIA/Google certs with German-language training and GDPR/DSGVO literacy opens doors in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt.

Mak It Solutions’ content on IT outsourcing trends and freelance IT jobs in the GCC also shows how foundational certs can later be leveraged into remote or contract work once you’ve built experience.

Quickest & Most Affordable IT Certifications to Get a Job in 2025

For quickest time-to-job and lower cost in 2025.

Vendor-neutral
CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ – widely recognised and not tied to one platform.

Vendor-specific
AZ-900, AWS Cloud Practitioner, Google IT Support often come with low-cost or subsidised training and are highly visible to recruiters in specific ecosystems.

Vendor-neutral certs are better when you’re not sure which platform you’ll end up on; vendor-specific ones help you stand out in a Microsoft-heavy NHS trust, an AWS-heavy fintech in London or a GCP-heavy analytics team in Dublin.

Are IT Certifications Still Worth It in 2025?

IT Certification vs Computer Science Degree vs Experience

In 2025, employers in the US, UK and EU generally view:

Degrees as proof of long-term academic depth (especially for R&D, data science and some government roles).

Certifications as proof you understand a specific platform or domain right now.

Experience as the ultimate decider for senior roles and higher salary bands.

For most cloud, security and DevOps jobs, a combination of experience plus well-chosen certifications beats an extra degree. Degrees still matter more for pure research or some government and academic roles.

When IT Certifications Deliver Strong ROI (And When They Don’t)

Certifications deliver strong ROI in 2025 when they.

Map directly to in-demand roles in your local or target GEO.

Are recognised by employers, regulators or major partners (e.g., CISSP, AWS, Azure).

Complement real project work (cloud migrations, SOC runbooks, ISO 27001 programmes).

They underperform when you chase hype, ignore GEO fit (e.g., obscure cert with no adoption in Germany), or collect badges with no hands-on work.

Vendor-Neutral vs Vendor-Specific Certifications in 2025

A balanced 2025 certification portfolio typically looks like.

Vendor-neutral
CompTIA, (ISC)², ISACA, ISO 27001 – ideal for long-term security and governance careers.

Vendor-specific
AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Cisco – ideal for getting hired into teams that run those stacks.

In compliance-heavy industries (banking, healthcare, payments), employers often want both: vendor-neutral security plus certifications on the actual cloud or network platforms they’re audited on.

How to Build Your 12-Month IT Certification Roadmap for 2025

Step-by-Step 12-Month IT Certification Roadmap (Beginner, Cloud, Security Tracks)

If you want a 12-month IT certification roadmap for 2025 that leads to job offers rather than just badges, you need clear tracks, real labs and GEO-aligned targets. Here are three example roadmaps:

Beginner → Helpdesk / Support (US/UK/EU)

Months 1–3 – Basic IT foundations + CompTIA A+ or Google IT Support.

Months 4–6 – ITIL 4 Foundation + ticketing tools (Jira, ServiceNow).

Months 7–12 – Network+ or CCNA + scripting basics (PowerShell or Python).

Cloud Engineer Track

Months 1–3 – Cloud fundamentals (AWS Cloud Practitioner or AZ-900).

Months 4–8 – AWS Solutions Architect – Associate or Azure Administrator + hands-on labs and small migration projects.

Months 9–12 – Start CKA or a DevOps-focused cert while contributing to CI/CD pipelines.

Security Analyst Track

Months 1–3 – Network+ or CCNA + basic Linux.

Months 4–6 – CompTIA Security+ and SOC tooling (SIEM, EDR).

Months 7–12 – Start a higher-level cert (e.g., CySA+, SSCP) and work towards an eventual CISSP or CISM over the next 2–3 years. ([CompTIA][12])

Adapting Your Roadmap for US, UK, Germany & EU Markets

Adapt your plan for local regulations, language and sector focus.

US
Healthcare & fintech roles → emphasise HIPAA, PCI DSS and SOC 2 alongside security/cloud certs.

UK
Public sector, NHS and finance → add UK-GDPR, NHS data standards, FCA/Open Banking references to your learning. ([ICO][8])

Germany / EU
Regulated industries → highlight GDPR/DSGVO, NIS2 and ISO 27001 familiarity in addition to German language skills where required.

Mak It Solutions’ guides on carbon-neutral cloud, multi-cloud strategy and future cloud hosting show how these compliance drivers shape real architectures in Europe and the Middle East exactly the environments you’re training for.

Next Steps & How to Choose Your First/Next Certification in 2025

Use this quick decision checklist.

Goal role you want in 12–24 months (support, cloud, security, DevOps).

GEO your current or target market (US, UK, Germany, remote EU).

Budget exam + training + lab costs you can realistically cover.

Timeline how many hours per week you can study.

Learning style self-study, bootcamp or mentorship.

If a certification doesn’t clearly move you towards a real job in your GEO, postpone it. Focus on one cert at a time, pair everything with projects, and keep your roadmap flexible as opportunities arise.

Key Takeaways

Cloud and security certs (AWS/Azure/GCP, Security+, CISSP/CISM, CKA) drive the strongest salary and demand signals in US/UK/EU markets.

Vendor-neutral basics (CompTIA, ITIL, ISO 27001) plus one main cloud platform give you long-term flexibility.

Regulations like GDPR, UK-GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO 27001 and NIS2 make security- and compliance-aware certs more valuable in Europe and regulated US sectors.

A simple 12-month roadmap (beginner, cloud, or security track) works better than chasing dozens of badges.

Internal mobility, freelancing and remote roles become realistic once you combine the best IT certifications 2025 with roughly 1–3 years of hands-on experience.

If you’d like help turning this 12-month roadmap into a concrete plan for your team or your own career, Mak It Solutions can support you with cloud, security and data consulting across the US, UK, Germany and wider Europe. Explore our cloud and analytics guides, then reach out for a tailored consultation to align your certification goals with real projects and hiring demand in your region.( Click Here’s )

FAQs

Q : Which IT certification should I start with in 2025 if I have zero tech experience?
A : If you have zero tech experience, start with a support-oriented certification like CompTIA A+ or the Google IT Support certificate. These focus on core troubleshooting, hardware, operating systems and basic networking, and they map directly to entry-level helpdesk or desktop support roles in the US, UK and EU. Once you’re in your first role, you can add Network+, CCNA or cloud fundamentals to move towards networking, cloud or security.

Q : Can IT certifications alone get me a remote job in the US or Europe in 2025?
A : Certifications alone rarely guarantee a remote job, but they are a powerful signal when combined with hands-on projects and a good portfolio. For remote roles in US or European companies, employers expect you to demonstrate practical skills with cloud platforms, automation, security or support tooling, not just badges. A common pattern is to use certs to land a local or hybrid role, build real experience, and then look for remote or hybrid openings that explicitly ask for the cloud, DevOps or security certs you already hold.

Q : How many IT certifications are too many on a CV in the UK, Germany or the US?
A : For most candidates, 3–6 well-chosen certifications is plenty on a CV. In the UK, Germany and the US, recruiters focus more on a coherent story e.g., support → networking → cloud engineer than on a long list of unrelated certs. Too many entry-level or overlapping badges can actually dilute your profile and raise questions about depth. Prioritise certifications that clearly support the next role you want in your target GEO and sector.

4. Do German employers prefer German-language IT certifications over international ones in 2025?
Most German employers still prioritise internationally recognised certifications (AWS, Azure, Cisco, CompTIA, CISSP, ISO 27001) but often combine this with a requirement for German language skills and knowledge of local regulations like DSGVO and BaFin guidance. German-language vendor or training certificates can help, but they usually supplement, not replace, major global certifications. If you’re targeting roles in Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt, aim for global certs plus German fluency and EU compliance literacy.

Q : How often do I need to renew popular IT certifications (AWS, CISSP, CCNA) and what does it cost in 2025?
A : Renewal cycles vary by vendor, but as of 2025 most major certifications use a three-year renewal window with options to recertify via exams or continuing education credits. AWS associate-level certs typically require either a new exam or a higher-level cert, CISSP uses annual maintenance fees plus CPE credits, and Cisco’s CCNA can be renewed via exams or credits from higher-level Cisco certs. Exact costs change regularly, so always confirm fees and policies on the AWS, Cisco and (ISC)² websites before planning your renewal budget.