Certification and Salary
By Dr. Laura Palmer Noone, CEO, University of the Potomac
I recently posted a blog about the value of certificates and certification. Shortly after that piece was posted, I ran across a study that supported my position (and I LOVE when that happens!) The study was produced by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce and was entitled Certificates: Gateway to Gainful Employment and College Degrees.
The study was fascinating for a number of reasons, but here are some of the highlights from the study:
- On average, certificate holders earn 20% more than high school graduates without any postsecondary education.
- The economic return of a certificate is generally higher if the certificate holder works in the field.
- Choice of the field of the certificate is critical. Many individuals with certificates in computer and information services earn more than their counterparts with associates or bachelor’s degrees.
- Gender plays a role in the value of certificates, but this is probably more correlated to the types of disciplines that attract the gender. (There are more women in health care related certificates, which pay less and more men in technology related certificates, which tend to be higher paying.)
The report goes on to show which states produce more certificate holders. The report can be accessed on the Georgetown.edu website.
So if you are looking for a lower cost option to brush up your skills or get back into the workforce and you don’t have time for a full degree, a certificate just might be the answer for you!
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