Fastest Certifications to Get for High Pay
These are strong quick-win certifications for people who want a faster path to better pay. We prioritize short completion time without ignoring salary and demand.
How we ranked these certifications
We ranked these certifications by shorter completion time, then salary potential, demand, and lower difficulty.
Quick picks
Best Overall
Best Beginner Pick
Rankings
#1 · SAFe® Architect (Scaled Agile)
Agile / Project Management
Score: 0.78
Price: $50
Time: 40–80 hours
Salary: $120,000–$200,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 4
Remote: 8
#2 · SAFe® Lean Portfolio Management (Scaled Agile)
Agile / Project Management
Score: 0.77
Price: $50
Time: 40–80 hours
Salary: $110,000–$190,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 4
Remote: 8
#3 · ArchiMate® 3 Foundation (The Open Group)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.76
Price: $400
Time: 20–40 hours
Salary: $95,000–$185,000
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#4 · Trust & Safety Professional Certificate (Trust & Safety Foundation)
Business - Trust & Safety
Score: 0.75
Price: $0-$500
Time: 10-30 hours
Salary: $70,000 - $140,000
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 4
Remote: 9
#5 · TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Foundation (10th Edition)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.75
Price: $435
Time: 30–60 hours
Salary: $100,000–$185,000
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#6 · ArchiMate® 3 Practitioner (The Open Group)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.75
Price: $400
Time: 40–80 hours
Salary: $110,000–$205,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#7 · TOGAF® 9 Foundation
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.75
Price: $400
Time: 30–60 hours
Salary: $95,000–$180,000
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#8 · Community Strategy Certification (CMX)
Business - Community & Social Media
Score: 0.75
Price: $499
Time: 10-20 hours
Salary: $70,000 - $130,000
Difficulty: 2
Demand: 3
Remote: 9
#9 · TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Practitioner (10th Edition)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.75
Price: $435
Time: 60–120 hours
Salary: $120,000–$210,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#10 · Advanced Moderation & Online Safety Training (Spectrum Labs)
Business - Trust & Safety
Score: 0.74
Price: $0-$1000
Time: 5-15 hours
Salary: $60,000 - $130,000
Difficulty: 2.5
Demand: 3
Remote: 9
#11 · TOGAF® 9 Certified
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.74
Price: $595
Time: 60–120 hours
Salary: $110,000–$200,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#12 · COBIT® 2019 Foundation (ISACA)
IT Audit
Score: 0.73
Price: $175
Time: 20–40 hours
Salary: $85,000–$160,000
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 2
Remote: 6
#13 · Digital Marketing & Community Management Certificate (HubSpot Academy)
Creative - Marketing
Score: 0.73
Price: $0
Time: 3-8 hours
Salary: $50,000 - $100,000
Difficulty: 1.5
Demand: 3
Remote: 9
#14 · Community Manager Certification (CMX)
Business - Community & Social Media
Score: 0.72
Price: $399-$699
Time: 15-30 hours
Salary: $60,000 - $110,000
Difficulty: 2
Demand: 3
Remote: 9
#15 · Zachman Certified™ – Enterprise Architect (Zachman International)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.72
Price: Varies
Time: 40–80 hours
Salary: $110,000–$200,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 1
Remote: 7
Quick comparison table
| Certification | Category | Price | Time | Difficulty | Demand | Remote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAFe® Architect (Scaled Agile) | Agile / Project Management | $50 | 40–80 hours | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| SAFe® Lean Portfolio Management (Scaled Agile) | Agile / Project Management | $50 | 40–80 hours | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| ArchiMate® 3 Foundation (The Open Group) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | $400 | 20–40 hours | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Trust & Safety Professional Certificate (Trust & Safety Foundation) | Business - Trust & Safety | $0-$500 | 10-30 hours | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Foundation (10th Edition) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | $435 | 30–60 hours | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| ArchiMate® 3 Practitioner (The Open Group) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | $400 | 40–80 hours | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| TOGAF® 9 Foundation | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | $400 | 30–60 hours | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Community Strategy Certification (CMX) | Business - Community & Social Media | $499 | 10-20 hours | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Practitioner (10th Edition) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | $435 | 60–120 hours | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Advanced Moderation & Online Safety Training (Spectrum Labs) | Business - Trust & Safety | $0-$1000 | 5-15 hours | 2.5 | 3 | 9 |
| TOGAF® 9 Certified | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | $595 | 60–120 hours | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| COBIT® 2019 Foundation (ISACA) | IT Audit | $175 | 20–40 hours | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Digital Marketing & Community Management Certificate (HubSpot Academy) | Creative - Marketing | $0 | 3-8 hours | 1.5 | 3 | 9 |
| Community Manager Certification (CMX) | Business - Community & Social Media | $399-$699 | 15-30 hours | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| Zachman Certified™ – Enterprise Architect (Zachman International) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | Varies | 40–80 hours | 4 | 1 | 7 |