Top 50 High-Income Cybersecurity Certifications to Get a Job in 2025 (No Degree Needed)

Shahzaib Writes July 22, 2025
Top 50 High-Income Cybersecurity Certifications to Get a Job in 2025 (No Degree Needed)

Top 50 High-Income Cybersecurity Certifications to Get a Job in 2025 (No Degree Needed)

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries in 2025, with demand for skilled professionals at an all-time high. But you don’t need a college degree to land a six-figure role—what you need are the right certifications. In this guide, you’ll discover 50 top-paying cybersecurity certifications that can help you land a remote job, launch a freelance career, or get hired at a top company—even as a beginner.

Table of Contents

Why Certifications Matter in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity certifications validate your skills, help you stand out in job markets, and demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning. In 2025, many companies prioritize certifications over formal degrees because:

  • Certs prove real-world skills.
  • They’re often updated with industry changes.
  • They can be completed in weeks, not years.
  • You can specialize in high-demand areas like penetration testing, cloud security, or threat analysis.

Top 10 Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certifications (No Experience Needed)

  1. CompTIA Security+ – Best starter certification for general IT security knowledge.
  2. Google Cybersecurity Certificate – Great for beginners and completely online.
  3. ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) – New and growing in demand for entry-level roles.
  4. Microsoft SC-900 – Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals.
  5. Fortinet NSE 1–3 – Free certifications to build foundational knowledge.
  6. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst – Offered via Coursera and employer-recognized.
  7. Cybrary SOC Analyst I – Designed to get you into a Security Operations Center job.
  8. TryHackMe & Hack The Box Paths – Hands-on labs and certification-like paths.
  9. Google IT Support + Cybersecurity Path – Stackable for career switchers.
  10. Udemy Certified Ethical Hacker Bootcamp – Budget-friendly, practical training.

Top 15 Mid-Level Certifications to Boost Your Salary

  1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – Great for hacking and penetration testing roles.
  2. CompTIA CySA+ – Cybersecurity Analyst cert for SOC roles.
  3. CompTIA PenTest+ – A practical certification in offensive security.
  4. EC-Council CHFI – Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator.
  5. GIAC GSEC – A respected cert for general security knowledge.
  6. OffSec Wireless Attacks (OSWP) – Focused on Wi-Fi hacking and defense.
  7. eJPT (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester) – Hands-on, affordable, and beginner-friendly.
  8. OffSec Learn Cert Paths – Multiple practical certs for pentesters.
  9. Microsoft SC-200 – Security Operations Analyst certification.
  10. AWS Certified Security – Specialty – Best for cloud security in AWS environments.
  11. Azure Security Engineer Associate – Excellent for enterprise-level Azure security roles.
  12. Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer – Great for GCP environments.
  13. GIAC GPEN – Penetration testing and ethical hacking certification.
  14. eCPPTv2 – Advanced pentesting cert from eLearnSecurity.
  15. Red Team Ops by Zero-Point Security – Affordable and very hands-on for red teaming skills.

Top 10 Professional Certifications for $150K+ Roles

  1. OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) – Gold standard for pentesters.
  2. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) – Best for senior security roles.
  3. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) – Targeted at management and leadership.
  4. CRISC – Great for IT risk management careers.
  5. CCSP – Cloud security expert certification from ISC2.
  6. GREM – Malware analysis from GIAC/SANS.
  7. OSCE – Advanced exploit development cert.
  8. CREST CRT – Globally respected offensive security cert.
  9. GCTI – Threat Intelligence specialization.
  10. Cybersecurity Architect Expert (Microsoft) – Highest-level cert for securing entire cloud systems.

Top Certifications for Freelance & Remote Work

  • OSCP, eCPPT, or eJPT – Demonstrates hands-on skills for bug bounty/freelance pentesting.
  • TryHackMe & Hack The Box Tracks – Used by platforms like HackerOne and Synack.
  • CompTIA Security+ – Often required by remote SOC and MSP jobs.
  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate – Popular among freelance security analysts.
  • IBM Cybersecurity Analyst – Ideal for remote freelance detection/response jobs.

Best Certifications by Cybersecurity Job Role

Penetration Tester

  • OSCP
  • eCPPT
  • CEH

SOC Analyst

  • CySA+
  • CC (ISC2)
  • IBM Cybersecurity Analyst

Cloud Security Engineer

  • AWS Security Specialty
  • Google Cloud Security Engineer
  • Azure Security Engineer

Security Architect

  • CISSP
  • CCSP
  • Cybersecurity Architect Expert

Cybersecurity Manager

  • CISM
  • CRISC

Bonus: Free and Cheap Certification Resources

Learning cybersecurity doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some free or low-cost platforms:

Conclusion

If you're serious about building a career in cybersecurity in 2025, the certifications listed above can open doors to six-figure jobs, remote work, and freelance opportunities. Whether you're starting from scratch or upskilling from IT, these certs are your roadmap to professional success.

Start with one, build your portfolio, and stand out from the crowd—without needing a college degree.

Labels: Cybersecurity Certifications, Online Earning, Ethical Hacking, Cybersecurity Jobs, Remote Cybersecurity Work, 2025 Career Trends

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