Jobs, big pay trigger surging global demand for SAS certifications

Want a job? Want a bigger raise? Think data scientist. Know SAS software? Then seek certification. Right now, you can do so at a discount.

A Money Magazine survey earlier this year found that SAS certifications for data scientists meant big bumps in pay and average salaries of $93,250 for college graduates.And as demand for analytics has grown in recent year, so too has demand for SAS certifications. Annual numbers have doubled in just four years.

SAS, which is based in Cary, reported on Monday that it recently issued its 100,000th certification credential. And for a short time, SAS is offering a discount price of $100 for SAS tests. Most cost around $180.

The numbers reflect in several ways just how much SAS itself as growth (now in place at 80,000 businesses and other locations). Having never lost money in its 40 years as a company, it’s annually topping $3 billion in revenue. Like others, SAS also continues to recruit data scientists.

And the demand for SAS certifications is global with more certifications being issued outside the U.S.

In 2015, certifications soared to 14,989. That’s nearly double the 2011 total of 7,804.

Growth took off in 2012, jumping to 10,122 followed by 11,915 in 2013 and 13,390 in 2014, according to figures supplied to WRAL TechWire by SAS spokesperson Trent Smith.

SAS launched the program as the emergence of big data and analytics began to take root across more industries.

“The SAS Global Certification Program was launched in 1999 to validate SAS skills and knowledge,” Smith noted. “It quickly became the go-to data credential for industries like banking and pharma.”

While the U.S. leads in overall certifications, the top five countries list also includes:

India
South Korea
Canada
China

For the really brave, you can try out a SAS test without any formal training.

“As long as a candidate feels they have the knowledge and skills that are going to be tested on a specific exam, they can take the exam,” Smith acknowledges. “Training is strongly recommended, but not required.”

SAS notes that its credentials have now been issued in 107 countries, and nearly one third of those taking the exams are college students.

As for certifications available, a list follows.