Oracle Certified Professional, Database Cloud Administrator

As part of Oracle's big thrust into the cloud market, the software giant rolled out the OPN Cloud Program about a year ago.

Dan Reilly, director of alliances at Perficient, an IT consultancy based in St. Louis, Mo., told CRN the updated partner program laser-focused Oracle's channel.

"What we're being measured on is cloud," Reilly told CRN.

Getting certified as an Oracle Implementation Specialist is an essential component of the program.

"You need it if you're going to implement the product. Having that certification badge is a no-brainer," Reilly told CRN. "And if you want to go to another company, you can take that with you. It's an individual accomplishment."

The average salary of an Oracle Database 12c Certified Implementation Specialist in the US is $87,164, according to the 2017 IT Skills and Salary Survey conducted by Cary, N.C.-based business training and certification company Global Knowledge.