IT Certification Salary Report: Canada 2026
This report summarizes the Canadian salary ranges tied to 8 in-demand IT certifications in 2026, the roles each one supports, and what it costs to train for them. Across the set, salaries run from roughly $38,000 to over $250,000 per year depending on the role, the city, and your experience. Compiled by CISNET, June 2026.
Highest paying
CISSP
$110K-$250K CAD
Best entry point
CompTIA A+
From $599 to train, $38K-$58K CAD
Full range
$38,000 to $250,000
across all 8 certifications
How this report is compiled
Each salary range reflects the Canadian market pay CISNET tracks for the roles students target after earning a certification, drawn from the career outcomes we publish for every program. Figures are ranges, not guarantees, and pay depends far more on the specific role, your years of experience, and the local market than on the certification alone. Training costs are CISNET's current published course prices in Canadian dollars.
Salary by certification (Canada, 2026)
| Certification | Canadian salary range | Roles it supports | Training cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISSP | $110K-$250K CAD | Chief Information Security Officer, Security Manager, Security Architect | $899 |
| PMP | $80K-$150K CAD | Project Manager, Program Manager, IT Project Manager | $1,099 |
| CCNP ENCOR | $85K-$140K CAD | Senior Network Engineer, Network Architect | $799 |
| AWS SAA | $80K-$140K CAD | Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Engineer | $799 |
| CCNP ENARSI | $90K-$135K CAD | Senior Network Engineer, Network Consultant | $799 |
| Security+ | $55K-$100K CAD | Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Information Security Specialist | $699 |
| CCNA | $45K-$95K CAD | Network Administrator, Network Engineer, IT Support Specialist | $499 |
| CompTIA A+ | $38K-$58K CAD | IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Desktop Support Analyst | $599 |
Want to weigh a single certification against its training cost? Use the interactive salary calculator, or browse the full certification guides.
Cite this report
Journalists, bloggers, and educators are welcome to reference these figures with attribution. Suggested citation:
"IT Certification Salary Report: Canada 2026," CISNET, www.cisnet.ca/resources/it-certification-salary-report
Frequently asked questions
Which IT certification pays the most in Canada in 2026?
Advanced security and cloud credentials lead. CISSP-aligned security roles and AWS-aligned cloud architecture roles sit at the top of the range, with experienced professionals often above $120,000. PMP also pays strongly, and networking certifications (CCNA, CCNP) scale well as you gain experience.
How are these salary ranges compiled?
Each range reflects the Canadian market pay CISNET tracks for the roles students target after certifying, expressed as a range rather than a single number. Actual pay depends far more on the specific role, your years of experience, and the city than on the certification alone.
Is an IT certification worth the training cost?
For most learners the math is favourable: the course is a one-time cost in the hundreds of dollars, while the roles it supports pay tens of thousands per year. The certification works best when it closes a real skill gap on the role you want next, paired with hands-on practice.
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