5 Best ANSI Accredited IT Certifications in Demand for 2025

The information technology (IT) field is in constant flux – and it’s evolving fast, too. Edge AI and quantum computing are among the tech reshaping the landscape.

But that’s not all either. There’s a high demand for skilled professionals to fill computer and IT occupations. There are about 356,700 projected openings per year, on average (BLS, 2023-2033). The median wages for computer and IT occupations are also among the highest – $105,990/year (BLS, May 2024).

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But there’s stiff competition for computer and IT jobs. You must earn ANSI accredited IT certifications to have a competitive edge.

Why the emphasis on ANSI accreditation? Employers widely recognize the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation. The ANSI mark is a symbol of quality, fairness, and relevance of the IT certifications.

So, if you’re interested in the best IT certifications 2025 has to offer, read on. We’ll feature five in-demand, ANSI-accredited IT certifications to boost your career.

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What Is ANSI Accreditation and Why It Matters

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, nonprofit organization that:

Oversees the development of US standards for products, processes, and services
Approves the American National Standards (ANS)
Promotes the use of ANS in the government and industries
Ensures ANS supports quality, safety, and efficiency
Represents the US and its 270,000-strong members in international standard organizations

ANSI doesn’t make the standards itself. Instead, it brings together experts from diverse fields to set the standards.

Furthermore, ANSI’s accreditation process ensures that certifying bodies operate with:

Quality – High standards are maintained in their certification process and outcomes
Credibility – Recognized and trusted by industries and employers
Competence – Professionals have the appropriate skills and knowledge for effective performance
Fairness – All applicants are treated fairly
Integrity – Bodies uphold ethical principles, including transparency

Both employers and job seekers enjoy the benefits of ANSI accredited IT certifications. Employers prefer applicants with these certifications because of their competence. Job seekers get a boost in their credibility and, thus, employability.

ANSI accredited IT certifications are also in compliance with ISO/IEC 17024 standards. The latter is the international standard for certifications, among others.

Criteria for Selection

We used these criteria in selecting the best ANSI accredited IT certifications:

Industry demand in 2025: We chose certifications that boost employability in high-demand occupations in 2025 and beyond. Cybersecurity, information security, and project management top our list.
Accreditation by ANSI: We only featured IT certifications with ANSI accreditation. You have the guarantee of world-class quality and recognition.
Earning potential: We selected certifications that lead to high-paying jobs. Balancing cost and return and investment is a must.
Relevance to emerging tech fields: The featured certifications are in line with emerging tech fields like cybersecurity resilience. This is crucial in your choice since relevance isn’t easy to maintain in an ever-evolving field.
Flexibility and career growth opportunities: We selected certifications that apply to diverse industries and job roles. You should be able to use them in your career progression, too.

Top 5 ANSI Accredited IT Certifications

CompTIA Security+

This is among the most in-demand IT certifications for beginners. The entry-level cybersecurity certification signifies in-demand skills in:

Network security
Threat management
Cryptography

Candidates can have zero experience in IT or cybersecurity. But it’s best if you have at least two years of relevant experience.

The CompTIA Security+ certification meets DoD 8570 requirements, too. You can use it to apply for federal and defense IT-related jobs. Other rewarding jobs that you can apply for are:

Security analyst
Systems administrator
Network engineer

The salary range for these jobs is $65,000 to $100,000 per year. Plus, CompTIA Security+-certified professionals are in high demand. The need for cybersecurity professionals is growing in diverse industries.

(ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP is among the top ANSI accredited certifications for experienced cybersecurity professionals. The advanced certification signifies in-demand skills in eight domains, including:

Security and risk management
Asset security
Software development security

You’ll be in high demand in the private and public sectors. In fact, it’s required in many government and enterprise IT security roles.

Jobs for which you’ll be eligible for include:

IT director
Security consultant
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Salaries for these jobs range between $100,000 and $160,000 per year.

Candidates must have at least five years of relevant work experience in two of the eight domains. Check if your degree can result in a waiver of one year of experience.

PMI Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP certification is intended for experienced IT project managers seeking professional validation. Plus, it leads to increased earnings that make it among the high paying IT certifications.

If you have the PMP credential, you can highlight in-demand skills like:

Agile methodologies
Risk assessment
Stakeholder communication

PMI-certified PMPs are in high demand, too. Tech companies require skilled managers to lead complex IT projects.

Job roles include:

IT project manager
Program manager
Scrum Master

The annual salaries range from $90,000 to $140,000.

EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The CEH is an ANSI certification for IT professionals engaged in ethical hacking. Also known as penetration testing, its in-demand skills include:

Vulnerability scanning
Malware analysis
Penetration testing

With these skills, you’re more competitive for job roles like:

Ethical hacker
Penetration tester
Cybersecurity consultant

These jobs pay between $80,000 and $130,000 per year.

There’s a high demand for CEH-certified IT professionals because of the increase in cyber threats and attacks. Legal, ethical hacking roles are also on the rise.

Note that the CEH credential is an intermediate-level certification. Candidates must have at least two years of information security or technology experience.

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

This is among the high-level IT certifications recognized by ANSI for cybersecurity professionals. Candidates must have 5-10 years of relevant professional work experience in IT administration. Indeed, it’s designed for advanced practitioners and technical decision-makers.

The formal training emphasizes hands-on, performance-based cybersecurity tasks. While management knowledge has its place, there’s a greater focus on practical skills. CASP+-certified professionals have in-demand skills, including:

Enterprise security
Risk management
Cloud security

Job roles for CASP+-certified professionals include:

Security architect
Security engineer
Technical lead

Their salary ranges between $95,000 and $150,000 per year.

Career and Industry Benefits of ANSI Accredited Certifications

Accredited tech certifications aren’t easy to earn. You must complete rigorous courses and pass comprehensive exams. Then, you have to meet renewal requirements to keep them.

But the benefits of ANSI accredited IT certifications make the challenges worthwhile. You’ll enjoy:

Significant boost in job opportunities and higher salary potential
Priority for employment among Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global enterprises
Effective compliance with job requirements (e.g., DoD 8570)
Boost your credibility for freelance and consulting roles

But also remember that career-boosting IT certifications are just tools. If you don’t leverage them, then they are nothing but ink on paper.

Highlight your IT certifications on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Apply your skills to real-world projects to showcase your expertise. Use them in the negotiation table (e.g., promotions and salary increases).

How to Choose the Right Certification for You

There’s no right or wrong choice in ANSI accredited IT certifications. Each certification has its career-boosting benefits.

You must choose based on your unique circumstances to choose the right one. Here are the questions you must ask yourself first.

What are your career goals? If you’re aiming for technical roles, consider the CEH credential. But if it’s management roles you’re after, be a PMP-certified professional.
What are your current skill level and work experience? Choose a certification based on these credentials and build on it. Start with the CompTIA Security+. Later, earn the CASP+ credential when you have more experience.
What are the job market trends in your region and industry? Research the most in-demand certifications on job boards and other sources.

But don’t limit yourself to, say, the CompTIA Security+ credential either. You should consider earning two or more complementary certifications. For example, earn the CompTIA Security+ credential first and then the PMP certification.

Doing so means developing both technical knowledge and leadership skills in different areas. You’ll be seen as a well-rounded professional with high-value skills.

Conclusion

The best ANSI IT credentials boost credibility and marketability in a competitive market. But you must earn them first – and it isn’t an easy feat either. Once you’re an ANSI-certified IT professional, you have a clear advantage over your peers.

So, invest your time, effort, and money in the best ANSI accredited IT certifications. Your head start will pave the way for your meteoric career advancement.

What to do next? Research accredited programs and start preparing for their rigorous courses. Be sure to consider online accredited courses, too. You’ll appreciate their flexible schedule, quality instruction, and affordable costs.

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