Which Red Hat Certification Is Best for Salary Hikes in 2025?

Which Red Hat Certification is best in 2025

In the fast-paced world of IT, certifications are one of the most reliable ways to increase your earning potential. Among the many options available, Red Hat certifications stand out for their real-world skill validation and global recognition. As of 2025, these certifications are not only helping professionals secure better roles but also delivering substantial salary hikes.

If you’re aiming for a significant career boost this year, the question is simple: Which Red Hat certification is the best for a salary hike in 2025? This blog will cover the top five—Red Hat OpenStack, RH358, Rapid Track, OpenShift, and RHCSA — and how Craw Security can help you achieve them.

Why Red Hat Certifications Matter in 2025

Red Hat’s certifications are performance-based, meaning you must demonstrate practical skills rather than just pass a multiple-choice test. This hands-on approach ensures you can apply what you learn in real enterprise environments.

With industries shifting towards cloud-native platforms, automation, and containerized environments, Red Hat skills are in high demand. Certifications in areas like OpenShift and Ansible automation are especially valuable because they align with DevOps, SRE, and hybrid cloud roles—all of which offer above-average salaries.

Top 5 Red Hat Certifications for Salary Growth

1. Red Hat OpenShift

OpenShift, Red Hat’s enterprise Kubernetes platform, is in high demand as organizations modernize their applications.

• Why it’s lucrative: Roles like OpenShift Engineer and Platform Administrator command premium pay due to the platform’s complexity and adoption rate.

  
  

• Best for: DevOps engineers, cloud engineers, and platform specialists.

  
  

2. Red Hat RH358 – Services Management & Automation

The RH358 course teaches you how to manage essential services in RHEL and automate them with Ansible.

• Why it’s lucrative: Automation is a top priority for IT teams in 2025, and companies pay well for professionals who can streamline processes.

  
  

• Best for: Senior Linux administrators, IT automation specialists.

  
  

3. Red Hat Rapid Track (RH199/RH200)

This is an accelerated course for experienced Linux admins preparing for the RHCSA exam.

• Why it’s lucrative: It helps you certify faster, opening doors to higher-paying roles without months of training.

  
  

• Best for: Professionals with prior Linux experience who want to validate skills quickly.

  
  

4. Red Hat RHCSA (EX200)

The Red Hat Certified System Administrator is the foundation of most Red Hat career paths.

• Why it’s lucrative: While it may not deliver the largest jump, it is often the stepping stone to higher-paying certifications like RHCE or OpenShift.

  
  

• Best for: Beginners and career switchers.

  
  

5. Red Hat OpenStack

OpenStack is Red Hat’s solution for private cloud infrastructure.

• Why it’s lucrative: While niche, OpenStack skills are highly valued in telecom, hosting, and enterprises running private clouds.

  
  

• Best for: Cloud architects, infrastructure engineers.

  
  

Which Certification Gives the Biggest Salary Hike?

If your main goal is a maximum salary increase, OpenShift and advanced automation certifications (like RH358) stand out. OpenShift engineers often earn among the highest Red Hat-related salaries, and automation expertise is in constant demand.

A practical ranking for 2025 could be:

1. OpenShift (High impact)

   
   

2. RH358 / EX358 (High–Medium impact)

   
   

3. OpenStack (Medium impact, niche high pay)

   
   

4. Rapid Track (Entry-to-mid boost)

   
   

5. RHCSA (Foundation-level increase)

   
   

Choosing the Right Certification

• For cloud-native & DevOps roles, choose OpenShift.

  
  

• For automation & senior admin positions: Go with RH358.

  
  

• For quick certification if experienced: Take Rapid Track.

  
  

• For starting out in Linux: Begin with RHCSA.

  
  

• For niche private cloud roles, pick OpenStack.

  
  

How Craw Security Helps

Craw Security in India offers Red Hat-aligned training with:

• Hands-on labs and real-world simulations

  
  

• Certified instructors with industry expertise

  
  

• Exam preparation and guidance

  
  

• Placement assistance to help you secure higher-paying jobs

  
  

By training with Craw Security, you get both the technical skills and career support to make your certification worth the investment.

FAQs – Red Hat Certification Salary & Career 2025

Q1: Which Red Hat certification gives the fastest salary boost?  A: Red Hat OpenShift will often give the fastest salary boost in 2025 due to high demand for Kubernetes platform skills.

Q2: Is RHCSA worth it for freshers?  A: Yes, RHCSA is the perfect starting point for freshers to enter the Linux and IT infrastructure field.

Q3: How long does it take to complete RH358?  A: Typically, RH358 takes about 4–5 days of intensive training, plus practice time before the exam.

Q4: Which is better for cloud jobs—OpenShift or OpenStack?  A: OpenShift is better for cloud-native and DevOps roles, while OpenStack is ideal for private cloud engineering.

Q5: Does Rapid Track guarantee a pass in RHCSA?  A: No course can guarantee a pass, but Rapid Track significantly shortens preparation time for experienced professionals.

Q6: What is the average salary of an RHCSA-certified professional in India?  A: Salaries vary, but RHCSA-certified admins in India can earn between ₹4–8 LPA depending on experience.

Q7: Is RH358 better than RHCE for automation?  A: RH358 is more focused on service management and Ansible automation, while RHCE covers broader enterprise automation.

Q8: Do companies in India still hire for OpenStack skills?  A: Yes, particularly in telecom, data centers, and enterprises running private cloud infrastructure.

Q9: How can Craw Security help me prepare for Red Hat exams?  A: Craw Security offers hands-on labs, exam-focused training, and placement assistance to boost your career prospects.

Q10: Can I learn OpenShift without RHCSA?  A: Yes, but having RHCSA helps, as it covers Linux fundamentals needed for OpenShift administration.

Conclusion

In 2025, the best Red Hat certification for salary hikes depends on your career goals. For cloud-native engineering, go for OpenShift; for automation, choose RH358. RHCSA remains the gateway certification, while Rapid Track accelerates the process for experienced admins. OpenStack offers niche, high-paying opportunities.

With expert-led courses from Craw Security, you can prepare effectively, pass your exams, and position yourself for the career and salary you deserve.