Dataset · ROI Index

The ROI Index: certification costs against real BLS occupation pay

Exam cost and renewal burden for every certification we track, set against the BLS median wage for the occupation it maps to. No invented salary-lift column, anywhere on this page.

Cheapest entry path: $71 HashiCorp Terraform Associate
Most expensive cert: $1,749 OffSec OSCP
Median occupation wage range: $61,860 to $175,140 Across 10 BLS occupations

Download CSV · every row, ready to cite

Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics medians for the occupation shown, not a measured premium for holding this certification. No one publishes causal cert premiums; anyone quoting one is guessing.

Reading the last column. "Cost as % of median monthly wage" is the share of one month's median pay, for the occupation the certification maps to, that the exam's all-in cost eats. A lower number means the exam is a smaller bite of a single month's pay; it is not a salary lift, a raise, or a premium the credential pays out. Example: an exam at 4% costs about 4 percent of one month of that occupation's median pay.

Certification exam cost, renewal burden, and the BLS median wage for the associated occupation, with cost expressed as a percent of that occupation's median monthly wage. Dollar and percent columns are right-aligned.
Cert	Vendor	All-in exam cost	Renewal burden	Associated occupation	BLS median (occupation)	Cost as % of median monthly wage
Google Cloud Generative AI Leader	Google Cloud	$99	Valid 3 years; renew by recertifying within Google's renewal eligibility window	Computer and Information Systems Managers	$175,140	0.7%
HashiCorp Terraform Associate	HashiCorp	$71	Valid 2 years; renew by retaking the current exam or passing the Terraform Professional exam	Computer Occupations, All Other	$116,580	0.7%
Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals	Microsoft	$99	Never expires; Microsoft Fundamentals certifications have no renewal requirement at all	Data Scientists	$120,230	1.0%
AWS Certified AI Practitioner	Amazon Web Services (AWS)	$100	Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking the exam or by passing AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer - Associate	Data Scientists	$120,230	1.0%
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner	Amazon Web Services (AWS)	$100	Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking the latest Cloud Practitioner exam or by passing any Associate- or Professional-level AWS exam	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	1.2%
NVIDIA NCA Generative AI LLMs	NVIDIA	$125	Valid 2 years from issuance; recertify by retaking the exam	Data Scientists	$120,230	1.2%
AWS Developer Associate	Amazon Web Services (AWS)	$150	Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest exam, by earning AWS DevOps Engineer Professional (auto-recertifies), or extend 1 year at a time via the paid AWS Skill Builder maintain path	Software Developers	$135,980	1.3%
AWS Solutions Architect Associate	Amazon Web Services (AWS)	$150	Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking the latest SAA exam or by earning AWS Solutions Architect Professional (auto-recertifies this credential)	Computer Network Architects	$134,050	1.3%
Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer Associate	Microsoft	$165	Valid 1 year; renew free via an online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn	Database Architects	$139,500	1.4%
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert	Microsoft	$165	Valid 1 year; renew free via an online, open-book renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn, available in the 6 months before expiry	Computer Network Architects	$134,050	1.5%
AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate	Amazon Web Services (AWS)	$150	Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest exam version	Data Scientists	$120,230	1.5%
SnowPro Core	Snowflake	$175	Valid 2 years; recertify by re-sitting the exam, passing a higher SnowPro certification, or completing a qualifying Snowflake instructor-led course	Database Architects	$139,500	1.5%
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer	Google Cloud	$125	Valid 3 years; renew via a $75, 1-hour renewal exam (or the full exam) starting 180 days before expiration	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	1.5%
Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate	Microsoft	$165	Valid 1 year with a free online renewal assessment, but the certification, exam, and renewals all retire August 31, 2026, after which it can no longer be earned or renewed	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	1.5%
Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate	Databricks	$200	Valid 2 years; recertify only by retaking the then-current version of the exam	Database Architects	$139,500	1.7%
Google Professional Cloud Architect	Google Cloud	$200	Valid 2 years; renew via a $100, 1-hour renewal exam (25 questions, 1 case study) or the full exam, in the window from 60 days before to 30 days after expiry	Computer Network Architects	$134,050	1.8%
AWS CloudOps Engineer Associate	Amazon Web Services (AWS)	$150	Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest exam, by earning AWS DevOps Engineer Professional (auto-recertifies), or extend 1 year at a time via the paid AWS Skill Builder maintain path	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	1.8%
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity	ISC2	$199	Valid 3 years; 45 CPE credits plus a mandatory $50/year Annual Maintenance Fee	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	1.8%
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals	Microsoft	$99	Never expires; Microsoft Fundamentals certifications have no renewal requirement at all	Computer User Support Specialists	$61,860	1.9%
Databricks Generative AI Engineer Associate	Databricks	$200	Valid 2 years; recertify by taking the current version of the exam	Data Scientists	$120,230	2.0%
Microsoft Azure Administrator	Microsoft	$165	Valid 1 year; renew free via an online, open-book renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn, available in the 6 months before expiry	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	2.0%
Salesforce Platform Administrator	Salesforce	$200	Does not expire while maintained; complete one free maintenance module on Trailhead each year by the release deadline	Computer Occupations, All Other	$116,580	2.1%
AWS Solutions Architect Professional	Amazon Web Services (AWS)	$300	Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest version of this exam, or extend 1 year at a time via the paid AWS Skill Builder maintain path (no annual fee; 50% recert voucher)	Computer Network Architects	$134,050	2.7%
CompTIA SecAI+	CompTIA	$298	Valid 3 years under the CompTIA Continuing Education program; renew with CEUs or a qualifying higher-level CompTIA exam, plus $75 in CE fees per 3-year cycle	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	2.8%
AWS Security Specialty	Amazon Web Services (AWS)	$300	Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest version of this exam (no auto-recertification path is published for this credential)	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	2.8%
Cisco CyberOps Associate	Cisco	$300	Valid 3 years; renew with 30 CE credits, a retake, or a qualifying higher-level exam	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	2.8%
Cisco CCNA	Cisco	$300	Valid 3 years; renew with 30 CE credits, a retake, or a qualifying higher-level exam	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	3.6%
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer	CNCF (Linux Foundation)	$445	Valid 2 years; retake the exam to recertify (3 years if earned before April 2024)	Software Developers	$135,980	3.9%
CompTIA CySA+	CompTIA	$439	Valid 3 years; renew with 60 CEUs or retake	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	4.1%
CompTIA PenTest+	CompTIA	$439	Valid 3 years; renew with 60 CEUs or retake	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	4.1%
CompTIA Security+	CompTIA	$439	Valid 3 years; renew with 50 CEUs or retake	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	4.1%
CompTIA Cloud+	CompTIA	$399	Valid 3 years; renew with 50 CEUs or retake	Computer Occupations, All Other	$116,580	4.1%
Certified Kubernetes Administrator	CNCF (Linux Foundation)	$445	Valid 2 years; retake the exam to recertify (3 years if earned before April 2024)	Computer Occupations, All Other	$116,580	4.6%
ITIL 4 Foundation	PeopleCert	$690	Valid 3 years; renew by logging CPD points through paid PeopleCert Plus membership, taking another qualifying course, or re-sitting the exam	Computer and Information Systems Managers	$175,140	4.7%
PMP	PMI	$405	Valid 3 years; 60 PDUs per cycle plus a renewal fee ($60 members, $150 non-members)	Project Management Specialists	$102,320	4.7%
CompTIA Linux+	CompTIA	$399	Valid 3 years; renew with 50 CEUs or retake	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	4.8%
CompTIA Network+	CompTIA	$399	Valid 3 years; renew with 30 CEUs or retake	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	4.8%
CompTIA SecurityX	CompTIA	$529	Valid 3 years; renew with 75 CEUs (the highest CompTIA CEU requirement) or retake	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	4.9%
ISC2 CCSP	ISC2	$599	Valid 3 years; 90 CPE credits (60 minimum Group A, 20/year minimum) plus a mandatory $135/year Annual Maintenance Fee shared across all ISC2 certifications	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	5.6%
Red Hat RHCSA	Red Hat	$500	Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking EX200 or passing a higher Red Hat exam	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	6.1%
ISC2 CISSP	ISC2	$749	Valid 3 years; 120 CPE credits (90 minimum Group A) plus a mandatory $135/year Annual Maintenance Fee	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	7.0%
ISACA CISA	ISACA	$760	Valid 3 years; 120 CPE hours (20 minimum per year) plus a mandatory Annual Maintenance Fee ($45/year members, $85/year nonmembers)	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	7.1%
ISACA CISM	ISACA	$760	Valid 3 years; 120 CPE hours (20 minimum per year) plus a mandatory Annual Maintenance Fee ($45/year members, $85/year nonmembers)	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	7.1%
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)	GIAC (SANS)	$999	Valid 4 years; renew with 36 CPE credits plus a $499 renewal fee (additional renewals within 2 years of a full renewal are $249), or retake the exam	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	9.3%
CompTIA A+	CompTIA	$548	Valid 3 years; renew with 20 CEUs or retake	Computer User Support Specialists	$61,860	10.6%
EC-Council CEH	EC-Council	$1,199	Valid 3 years; 120 ECE credits per cycle plus an $80/year EC-Council membership fee	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	11.1%
OffSec OSCP	OffSec	$1,749	OSCP+ expires 3 years from issuance; the OSCP awarded alongside it does not expire	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	16.2%

Google Cloud Generative AI Leader Google Cloud

All-in exam cost

$99

Cost % of median monthly wage

0.7%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew by recertifying within Google's renewal eligibility window

Occupation

Computer and Information Systems Managers

BLS median: $175,140
HashiCorp Terraform Associate HashiCorp

All-in exam cost

$71

Cost % of median monthly wage

0.7%

Renewal burden

Valid 2 years; renew by retaking the current exam or passing the Terraform Professional exam

Occupation

Computer Occupations, All Other

BLS median: $116,580
Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals Microsoft

All-in exam cost

$99

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.0%

Renewal burden

Never expires; Microsoft Fundamentals certifications have no renewal requirement at all

Occupation

Data Scientists

BLS median: $120,230
AWS Certified AI Practitioner Amazon Web Services (AWS)

All-in exam cost

$100

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.0%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking the exam or by passing AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer - Associate

Occupation

Data Scientists

BLS median: $120,230
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Amazon Web Services (AWS)

All-in exam cost

$100

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.2%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking the latest Cloud Practitioner exam or by passing any Associate- or Professional-level AWS exam

Occupation

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

BLS median: $99,130
NVIDIA NCA Generative AI LLMs NVIDIA

All-in exam cost

$125

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.2%

Renewal burden

Valid 2 years from issuance; recertify by retaking the exam

Occupation

Data Scientists

BLS median: $120,230
AWS Developer Associate Amazon Web Services (AWS)

All-in exam cost

$150

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.3%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest exam, by earning AWS DevOps Engineer Professional (auto-recertifies), or extend 1 year at a time via the paid AWS Skill Builder maintain path

Occupation

Software Developers

BLS median: $135,980
AWS Solutions Architect Associate Amazon Web Services (AWS)

All-in exam cost

$150

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.3%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking the latest SAA exam or by earning AWS Solutions Architect Professional (auto-recertifies this credential)

Occupation

Computer Network Architects

BLS median: $134,050
Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer Associate Microsoft

All-in exam cost

$165

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.4%

Renewal burden

Valid 1 year; renew free via an online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn

Occupation

Database Architects

BLS median: $139,500
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert Microsoft

All-in exam cost

$165

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.5%

Renewal burden

Valid 1 year; renew free via an online, open-book renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn, available in the 6 months before expiry

Occupation

Computer Network Architects

BLS median: $134,050
AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate Amazon Web Services (AWS)

All-in exam cost

$150

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.5%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest exam version

Occupation

Data Scientists

BLS median: $120,230
SnowPro Core Snowflake

All-in exam cost

$175

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.5%

Renewal burden

Valid 2 years; recertify by re-sitting the exam, passing a higher SnowPro certification, or completing a qualifying Snowflake instructor-led course

Occupation

Database Architects

BLS median: $139,500
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer Google Cloud

All-in exam cost

$125

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.5%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew via a $75, 1-hour renewal exam (or the full exam) starting 180 days before expiration

Occupation

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

BLS median: $99,130
Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate Microsoft

All-in exam cost

$165

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.5%

Renewal burden

Valid 1 year with a free online renewal assessment, but the certification, exam, and renewals all retire August 31, 2026, after which it can no longer be earned or renewed

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate Databricks

All-in exam cost

$200

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.7%

Renewal burden

Valid 2 years; recertify only by retaking the then-current version of the exam

Occupation

Database Architects

BLS median: $139,500
Google Professional Cloud Architect Google Cloud

All-in exam cost

$200

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.8%

Renewal burden

Valid 2 years; renew via a $100, 1-hour renewal exam (25 questions, 1 case study) or the full exam, in the window from 60 days before to 30 days after expiry

Occupation

Computer Network Architects

BLS median: $134,050
AWS CloudOps Engineer Associate Amazon Web Services (AWS)

All-in exam cost

$150

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.8%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest exam, by earning AWS DevOps Engineer Professional (auto-recertifies), or extend 1 year at a time via the paid AWS Skill Builder maintain path

Occupation

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

BLS median: $99,130
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity ISC2

All-in exam cost

$199

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.8%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; 45 CPE credits plus a mandatory $50/year Annual Maintenance Fee

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Microsoft

All-in exam cost

$99

Cost % of median monthly wage

1.9%

Renewal burden

Never expires; Microsoft Fundamentals certifications have no renewal requirement at all

Occupation

Computer User Support Specialists

BLS median: $61,860
Databricks Generative AI Engineer Associate Databricks

All-in exam cost

$200

Cost % of median monthly wage

2.0%

Renewal burden

Valid 2 years; recertify by taking the current version of the exam

Occupation

Data Scientists

BLS median: $120,230
Microsoft Azure Administrator Microsoft

All-in exam cost

$165

Cost % of median monthly wage

2.0%

Renewal burden

Valid 1 year; renew free via an online, open-book renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn, available in the 6 months before expiry

Occupation

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

BLS median: $99,130
Salesforce Platform Administrator Salesforce

All-in exam cost

$200

Cost % of median monthly wage

2.1%

Renewal burden

Does not expire while maintained; complete one free maintenance module on Trailhead each year by the release deadline

Occupation

Computer Occupations, All Other

BLS median: $116,580
AWS Solutions Architect Professional Amazon Web Services (AWS)

All-in exam cost

$300

Cost % of median monthly wage

2.7%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest version of this exam, or extend 1 year at a time via the paid AWS Skill Builder maintain path (no annual fee; 50% recert voucher)

Occupation

Computer Network Architects

BLS median: $134,050
CompTIA SecAI+ CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$298

Cost % of median monthly wage

2.8%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years under the CompTIA Continuing Education program; renew with CEUs or a qualifying higher-level CompTIA exam, plus $75 in CE fees per 3-year cycle

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
AWS Security Specialty Amazon Web Services (AWS)

All-in exam cost

$300

Cost % of median monthly wage

2.8%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by passing the latest version of this exam (no auto-recertification path is published for this credential)

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
Cisco CyberOps Associate Cisco

All-in exam cost

$300

Cost % of median monthly wage

2.8%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 30 CE credits, a retake, or a qualifying higher-level exam

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
Cisco CCNA Cisco

All-in exam cost

$300

Cost % of median monthly wage

3.6%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 30 CE credits, a retake, or a qualifying higher-level exam

Occupation

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

BLS median: $99,130
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer CNCF (Linux Foundation)

All-in exam cost

$445

Cost % of median monthly wage

3.9%

Renewal burden

Valid 2 years; retake the exam to recertify (3 years if earned before April 2024)

Occupation

Software Developers

BLS median: $135,980
CompTIA CySA+ CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$439

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.1%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 60 CEUs or retake

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
CompTIA PenTest+ CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$439

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.1%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 60 CEUs or retake

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
CompTIA Security+ CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$439

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.1%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 50 CEUs or retake

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
CompTIA Cloud+ CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$399

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.1%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 50 CEUs or retake

Occupation

Computer Occupations, All Other

BLS median: $116,580
Certified Kubernetes Administrator CNCF (Linux Foundation)

All-in exam cost

$445

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.6%

Renewal burden

Valid 2 years; retake the exam to recertify (3 years if earned before April 2024)

Occupation

Computer Occupations, All Other

BLS median: $116,580
ITIL 4 Foundation PeopleCert

All-in exam cost

$690

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.7%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew by logging CPD points through paid PeopleCert Plus membership, taking another qualifying course, or re-sitting the exam

Occupation

Computer and Information Systems Managers

BLS median: $175,140
PMP PMI

All-in exam cost

$405

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.7%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; 60 PDUs per cycle plus a renewal fee ($60 members, $150 non-members)

Occupation

Project Management Specialists

BLS median: $102,320
CompTIA Linux+ CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$399

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.8%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 50 CEUs or retake

Occupation

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

BLS median: $99,130
CompTIA Network+ CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$399

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.8%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 30 CEUs or retake

Occupation

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

BLS median: $99,130
CompTIA SecurityX CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$529

Cost % of median monthly wage

4.9%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 75 CEUs (the highest CompTIA CEU requirement) or retake

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
ISC2 CCSP ISC2

All-in exam cost

$599

Cost % of median monthly wage

5.6%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; 90 CPE credits (60 minimum Group A, 20/year minimum) plus a mandatory $135/year Annual Maintenance Fee shared across all ISC2 certifications

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
Red Hat RHCSA Red Hat

All-in exam cost

$500

Cost % of median monthly wage

6.1%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking EX200 or passing a higher Red Hat exam

Occupation

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

BLS median: $99,130
ISC2 CISSP ISC2

All-in exam cost

$749

Cost % of median monthly wage

7.0%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; 120 CPE credits (90 minimum Group A) plus a mandatory $135/year Annual Maintenance Fee

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
ISACA CISA ISACA

All-in exam cost

$760

Cost % of median monthly wage

7.1%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; 120 CPE hours (20 minimum per year) plus a mandatory Annual Maintenance Fee ($45/year members, $85/year nonmembers)

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
ISACA CISM ISACA

All-in exam cost

$760

Cost % of median monthly wage

7.1%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; 120 CPE hours (20 minimum per year) plus a mandatory Annual Maintenance Fee ($45/year members, $85/year nonmembers)

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) GIAC (SANS)

All-in exam cost

$999

Cost % of median monthly wage

9.3%

Renewal burden

Valid 4 years; renew with 36 CPE credits plus a $499 renewal fee (additional renewals within 2 years of a full renewal are $249), or retake the exam

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
CompTIA A+ CompTIA

All-in exam cost

$548

Cost % of median monthly wage

10.6%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; renew with 20 CEUs or retake

Occupation

Computer User Support Specialists

BLS median: $61,860
EC-Council CEH EC-Council

All-in exam cost

$1,199

Cost % of median monthly wage

11.1%

Renewal burden

Valid 3 years; 120 ECE credits per cycle plus an $80/year EC-Council membership fee

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180
OffSec OSCP OffSec

All-in exam cost

$1,749

Cost % of median monthly wage

16.2%

Renewal burden

OSCP+ expires 3 years from issuance; the OSCP awarded alongside it does not expire

Occupation

Information Security Analysts

BLS median: $129,180

Methodology

How every number here is built

The full write-up, including the refresh calendar and build gates, lives on the methodology page.

Exam costs are each vendor's current all-in list price, verified against the vendor's published list price (directly or via authorized-partner listings when the vendor store cannot be read) as of the certification's last_verified date; renewal burden is the vendor's stated renewal cycle and requirement, also verified there. Occupation pay is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) national median for May 2025, joined to each certification by its BLS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. We do not publish a "salary lift" figure for holding a certification: no dataset isolates a causal wage premium for a credential, so any such number would be invented, not measured. "Cost as % of median monthly wage" is the only ratio metric on this page, and it is fully computable from the two verified inputs above.

Facts last verified against official sources: 2026-07-18

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