It is time to let the cat out of the bag and address the first, the most obvious question surrounding HR certifications — Is it worth your time and money? Does pursuing HR training certification lead to proven monetary benefits?

Certification tests applicants on strict global standards and acing it proves that the person is not only the holder of certification but the right aptitude and knowledge. The period of HR training certification gives a chance for professionals to gain the skills and knowledge in-line with HR industry trends. Additionally, the certification is supplemented with academic degrees and experience, depending upon the certification sought. They are the perfect third-party validation of one’s ability and capacity.

Given below are hard-facts about the impact of HR certification on the pay.

HR Certification and Salary

The numbers of HR professionals getting certified are rising. Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests that the number has grown to 22.4% of people going for certifications; as compared to the 1950s when only one in 20 American workers got certified, as found by Morris Kleiner.

The increase in certified professionals can be attributed to the preference of organizations for certified candidates.

  • Direct Co-relation between HR Certification and Salary potential

BLS depicts that having a certification is associated with higher earnings among people with similar levels of education. For instance, among workers of the same age and the same college degree, those who possessed a certification earned an 11% higher average salary compared to those who didn’t.

A recent study by Payscale demonstrates results on similar lines where going through HR training certification enhanced the salary for all levels of HR professionals.

Additionally, numerous management studies (Putka, Paullin, et al. 2015; Bogardus & Reed 2012; Blau, Fertig, & Zeitz, 2009; and others) have indicated that non-certified candidates are less likely to be full-time employed or earn higher premiums compared to certified HR professionals.

The logic being, HR training certifications are considered as a symbol of better understanding and higher-order skill-sets; and, economically speaking, they limit the supply of professionals available in the market which drives up the wages.

  • Higher the seniority level, steeper the jump in salary

Interestingly enough, most studies, including the Payscale survey, show that the bump in the salary is higher for senior-level HR professionals going for HR certification.

The Payscale study found that for HR managers, the difference between the salary of a certified and non-certified HR Director and HR Managers could be as much $10,000 per year. Though an increase, as you move down the seniority level, the gap between the salary of certified and non-certified HR professionals’ closes, with the lowest level certified HR Assistant earning $2,400 year more than non-certified professionals.

The Verdict

You might be doing all that you are supposed to do — working on the talent management strategy for your organization, keeping employees engaged, trying to be a close associate to the CEO, etc. — but still not be reaping the benefits of your efforts. Earning an HR Certification and going through the process of HR training certification can seriously augment your professional journey and shorten the otherwise lengthen journey to gaining HR credibility. 

Getting started — How to earn an HR Certification?

To get an HR certification, you will have to pass the certification examination. HRCI (HR Certification Institute), TMI (Talent Management Institute) and SHRM are some of the globally-recognized certifying bodies offering HR training certifications. All of these offer certifications for different level professionals, based on their experience. While HRCI and SHRM require candidates to appear physically at the centers for examination, TMI provides candidates with the option of online HR certification.