Is Kubernetes Certification Worth It? Pros, Cons, and Career Benefits

Are you thinking about whether a Kubernetes certification is the right move for your career? You’re not alone. In today’s tech landscape, many professionals are asking the same question.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into the benefits and drawbacks of pursuing a Kubernetes certification. By the end, you should have a clearer understanding of whether it’s worth the time, effort, and investment for you.

As you might know, Kubernetes is the best open-source container orchestration tool available today.

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the Kubernetes market size is expected to grow from USD 1.95 Billion in 2020 to USD 6.2 Billion by 2025.

List of Kubernetes Certifications

Here's a list of the Kubernetes certifications currently available:

1. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
2. Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
3. Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
4. Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA)
5. Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA)

Why Consider a Kubernetes Certification?

Lets look at some of the benefits of having a Kubernetes certification.

1. Job Opportunities

One of the main reasons people consider getting certified is for better job opportunities. Many companies look for certified professionals when hiring for roles that involve Kubernetes.

As per a report by Indeed, job postings for roles requiring Kubernetes skills have increased by over 200% in the last two years.

As per the Linux Foundation open source jobs report 69% of employers are more likely to hire an open source professional with a certification.

Also, many job portals and employers give preference to candidates with Kubernetes certifications.

Here’s why:

1. Kubernetes certification acts as proof that a candidate has the knowledge and skills needed to work with containerized applications. Employers find this valuable as it reduces the risk of hiring someone who might not be fully proficient.
2. As Kubernetes continues to be adopted by companies of all sizes, the demand for certified professionals has surged. Many job listings specifically mention Kubernetes certification as a preferred or required qualification.
3. Certification can give candidates an edge over others who may not have formal recognition of their Kubernetes expertise, even if they have similar work experience.
4. On job portals like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, candidates who list certifications often appear in more search results when recruiters are looking for specific skills like Kubernetes.

Here is a thread posted by a Hiring manager in Reddit.

I'm hiring manager, and can tell you CKA will open more doors for interviews, that otherwise will ignore you. In general, except few elite certification, no certificate automatically translates to higher pay or better job.

My company needed to pass requirements for CNCF membership. So we encouraged employees to pass CKA, I passed CKA too.

2. Better Salary

A Kubernetes certification can open doors to higher-paying roles like:

1. Kubernetes Administrator
2. DevOps Engineer
3. Cloud Architect
4. Site Reliability Engineer

According to Payscale, the average salary for professionals with Kubernetes skills is around $116,000 per year. This is significantly higher than the average salary for other IT roles that don’t require Kubernetes expertise.

While a Kubernetes certification isn’t a guaranteed ticket to a higher salary, it can certainly improve your chances. Employers value the skills and knowledge that come with certification, and they’re often willing to pay a premium for it. So if you’re looking to boost your earning potential, a Kubernetes certification might be a smart investment.

3. Skill Validation: Why Employers Value Kubernetes Certification

Having a Kubernetes certification shows employers that you really know how to manage Kubernetes environments.

It’s like a seal of approval that tells them you’ve got the skills they need. This makes companies more confident in hiring you because they don’t have to worry if you’re qualified or not.

4. Enhance Your Kubernetes Knowledge

Preparing for a Kubernetes certification isn’t just about passing an exam—it’s a journey that will significantly boost your understanding of the Kubernetes.

I can speak from my own experience—while I was already working on Kubernetes projects, preparing for the CKA and CKS certifications gave me a much deeper understanding.

The process forced me to dive into core concepts like deployments, scaling, Ingress, RBAC, network policies, Persistent Volumes etc.

With proper research and hands-on practice, you’ll gain the confidence to manage Kubernetes in real-world environments.

By focusing on the right study materials and practicing with real scenarios, you’ll not only prepare for the test but also sharpen your problem-solving skills. This makes the certification process a great learning experience that enhances your knowledge, whether you pass the exam or not.

The Downsides

Now lets look at some of the downsides in getting a Kubernetes Certification.

1. Cost

Kubernetes Certifications aren’t cheap. Starts from $250 till $395. You’ll need to consider whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

Note: The cost of obtaining certification is often offset by the increase in salary and job opportunities.

Once way to reduce the cost is by using Linux Foundation Coupon codes. You can save up to 50% with bundle purchases and individual certification during certain promotions.

2. Time Commitment

Our of five kubernetes certifications, three of them are hands on performance based exams. Preparing for these certification exam takes time and regular practice. Make sure you can commit the necessary hours for study.

3. Not a Guarantee for a Job

Having a certification is great, but it’s not a golden ticket to a job. You’ll still need to have the right experience and skills.

4. Using Exam Dumps

Many engineers resort to using exam dumps to pass the Kubernetes certification. While this might help you get an edge in job listings, it doesn’t provide any real value in the long run.

During interviews, there’s a high chance that your lack of hands-on experience will be exposed. Interviewers can quickly spot when someone doesn’t have a deep understanding of Kubernetes, which can lead to a loss of credibility.

Relying on dumps may get you the certification, but without real knowledge, it could hurt your career in the long term. It's always better to invest time in truly learning the technology rather than just aiming to pass the exam.

Is Kubernetes Certification Worth It?

So, is Kubernetes certification worth it?

The answer depends on your career goals, current skill level, and how much time and money you’re willing to invest.

The short answer is, If you’re aiming for a job that requires or values Kubernetes expertise, then yes, it’s likely worth it.

Also, Job postings requiring Kubernetes expertise have surged. Platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed have reported a substantial increase in listings seeking Kubernetes-skilled professionals.

Kubernetes skills are among the top in-demand skills for DevOps and cloud engineers, reflecting the industry's shift towards containerization and microservices.

So holding a certification distinguishes engineers in a crowded job market, signaling validated expertise to employers.

Conclusion

Kubernetes certification has its pros and cons. Weigh them carefully before making a decision. If you decide to go for it, it could be a valuable step in your career.

But remember, a certification is just one piece of the puzzle. Continuous learning and real-world experience are just as important.

Kubernetes is constantly evolving. Certification programs usually require recertification, ensuring that employees stay up-to-date with the latest features and best practices.