7 Professional Certifications That Can Boost Your Salary Without a University Degree

As the job market continues to evolve, Nigerians are beginning to realize that a university degree alone may no longer be the golden ticket to career success. Employers are now shifting their focus towards practical skills, digital knowledge, and global certifications that prove competence in specific professional areas.

Earning an internationally recognized certification can help you secure higher-paying roles — not just in Nigeria, but across global industries. Many professionals now use certifications as a direct pathway to remote jobs, freelance opportunities, and international contracts, often earning in dollars or pounds.

Advantages of Professional Certifications

Recent data from the Burning Glass Institute (BGI) — a U.S.-based labor market analytics organization — reveals that certifications can significantly improve a worker’s salary potential. The study analyzed over 65 million career histories and identified certifications that consistently lead to higher earnings, even for professionals without university degrees.

While the report focuses on the U.S. labor market, its insights are highly relevant to Nigeria, where the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow in areas like technology, finance, logistics, construction, and engineering.

For Nigerians, professional certifications such as PMP, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Cisco Networking (CCNA), AWS Cloud Practitioner, and Google Data Analytics are now recognized by employers both locally and internationally. These credentials demonstrate mastery of high-demand technical and managerial skills that are essential in modern workplaces.

Benefits of Earning Professional Certifications

1. Higher Salary Potential: Certified professionals often earn more than their uncertified peers due to their proven expertise.
2. Global Job Opportunities: Many certifications are internationally recognized, enabling you to work remotely or apply for jobs abroad.
3. Career Flexibility: Certifications allow career changers to transition into new fields like IT, cybersecurity, or project management.
4. Professional Credibility: Holding a globally respected credential boosts your profile and helps you stand out in a crowded job market.
5. Continuous Learning: Certifications keep your knowledge up-to-date with current industry trends, tools, and best practices.

Top 7 Certifications That Can Boost Your Income Without a Degree

Below are the seven certifications identified by BGI that have the strongest potential to increase your earning power, along with the types of roles they align with.

1. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Average Annual Salary Increase: £6,500+
Best For: Project managers, construction supervisors, and operations specialists

The PMP certification remains one of the most respected credentials worldwide. It equips professionals with skills in planning, execution, budgeting, and team coordination — essential for leading projects in construction, finance, and technology.

2. Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa)

Average Annual Salary Increase: £4,300+
Best For: Electrical engineers, electronics technicians, and computer network architects

This certification validates technical competence in electronics and systems maintenance. It is ideal for professionals who work with hardware systems, networking equipment, and digital devices.

3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Average Annual Salary Increase: £2,600+
Best For: Cybersecurity analysts, IT support specialists, and network security experts

The CEH certification is designed for individuals interested in cybersecurity and ethical hacking. It teaches you how to identify and protect systems from vulnerabilities — a high-demand skill in today’s digital economy.

4. Certified Coding Associate (CCA)

Average Annual Salary Increase: £2,500+
Best For: Medical coders, systems administrators, and data managers

This certification, offered by AHIMA, focuses on medical and health information coding. It’s perfect for those looking to work in healthcare data management, a growing field worldwide.

5. Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)

Average Annual Salary Increase: £2,100+
Best For: Information security analysts and network engineers

The CCSE validates advanced skills in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Check Point security systems, which are widely used in corporate cybersecurity environments.

6. Citrix Netscaler SD-WAN Certification (CC-SDWAN)

Average Annual Salary Increase: £1,800+
Best For: Network support specialists and systems engineers

As businesses expand remote and hybrid work models, expertise in SD-WAN networking has become crucial. This certification positions professionals for roles in enterprise IT infrastructure management.

7. Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)

Average Annual Salary Increase: £1,700+
Best For: Network administrators and IT security officers

The CCSA is an entry-level cybersecurity certification that proves your ability to secure networks and manage Check Point’s firewall systems — making it a valuable first step into cybersecurity.

Benefits Nigerians Will Get for Investing in Global Certifications

For Nigerian professionals, these certifications are more than just paper qualifications — they are income boosters and career accelerators. They can bridge the skill gap between local and international job markets, helping candidates compete globally while increasing their earning power.

Moreover, with the rise of remote work opportunities, Nigerians can now access freelance and contract roles in the U.S., UK, and Europe without leaving home. Certified professionals can also qualify for jobs on platforms like Upwork, Toptal, or LinkedIn Jobs, where global employers are willing to pay premium rates for certified expertise.

Earning a university degree remains valuable, but in today’s world, it’s no longer the only path to success. Building specialized skills through certifications in project management, cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud computing can transform your earning potential and career trajectory. If you’re serious about increasing your salary, achieving career mobility, and unlocking international opportunities, investing in professional certifications may be the smartest move you can make this year.