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Cisco certifications have become a leading credential for those in tech, partly due to the demand for network and cloud professionals in today’s job market.
The importance of Cisco certifications lies in their comprehensive coverage of essential IT skills and knowledge. These certifications encompass a wide range of domains, including networking, security, cloud, collaboration, and more. By obtaining Cisco certifications, professionals gain practical experience, technical know-how, and proficiency in managing complex IT environments effectively.
Cisco certifications provide tangible benefits in terms of career growth and earning potential. Certified professionals often command higher salaries due to their specialized skills and industry demand for their expertise.
According to Skillsoft’s IT Skills and Salary Report, professionals with Cisco certifications are among the top earners in the industry, indicating the significant contribution of these certifications to their earning potential.
Interested in learning more about the current state of the tech industry? Get the full IT Skills and Salary report here.
This blog focuses on certification holders worldwide and reports on average salaries and more. See how we compiled this list in the methodology.
Keep reading to learn more about the highest-paying Cisco certifications and how to earn them:
THE TOP-PAYING CISCO CERTIFICATIONS WORLDWIDE
| CERTIFICATION | SALARY |
|---|---|
| CCIE Security | $149,504 |
| CCIE Data Center | $128,948 |
| CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure | $123,703 |
| CCNP Enterprise | $98,320 |
| CCNA | $82,582 |
WHAT DO CISCO CERTIFICATIONS PAY IN THE U.S.?
| CERTIFICATION | SALARY |
|---|---|
| CCIE Security | $140,366 |
| CCIE Data Center | $134,690 |
| CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure | $133,820 |
| CCNP Enterprise | $160,399 |
| CCNA | $128,651 |
1. CCIE SECURITY — $149,504
Cisco’s CCIE Security certification is a highly esteemed credential that validates an individual’s expertise in implementing and operating course security technologies.
Hiring CCIE Security-certified professionals equips organizations with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat sophisticated cyber threats, protecting critical networks, data, and systems. Their expertise spans network security, cloud security, and content security, making them valuable assets in safeguarding sensitive information.
Obtaining the CCIE Security certification accelerates career growth for IT professionals, demonstrating a high level of proficiency in network security and opens doors to senior-level and leadership positions. Additionally, these certified professionals often earn higher salaries due to their specialized knowledge and the growing demand for skilled security experts.
The ideal candidate for Cisco’s CCIE Security certification is someone with extensive experience in designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing security technologies and solutions. With a solid foundation in network security, this individual possesses the expertise to secure and troubleshoot complex networks, validating their proficiency at an expert level.
HOW TO EARN THIS CERTIFICATION:
- Pass a written exam.
- Pass an extensive hands-on lab exam.
2. CCIE DATA CENTER — $128,948
Cisco’s CCIE Data Center certification is a prestigious credential that validates a candidate’s expertise in designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing complex data center networks. Holding this certification demonstrates an individual’s comprehensive knowledge and skills in managing data center infrastructures.
These certified professionals possess the specialized skills required to handle the end-to-end lifecycle of data center networks. By leveraging their expertise, organizations can effectively design and deploy robust data center architectures, ensure optimal performance and scalability, enhance network security, and streamline operations.
For IT professionals, obtaining the CCIE Data Center certification can significantly boost their careers. CCIE Data Center certified professionals enjoy greater opportunities for career advancement, higher earning potential, and increased industry recognition. This credential showcases their mastery of data center technologies, making them highly sought after in the job market.
The ideal candidate for Cisco’s CCIE Data Center certification is someone with five to seven years of experience in designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing data center technologies. They should possess a deep understanding of data center architectures and be proficient in diagnosing, configuring, and troubleshooting various components within a data center environment.
HOW TO EARN THIS CERTIFICATION:
- Pass a written exam.
- Pass an extensive hands-on lab exam.
3. CCIE ENTERPRISE INFRASTRUCTURE — $123,703
Cisco's CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification is a highly esteemed credential that validates an individual's expertise in designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing enterprise network infrastructures. This comprehensive certification covers a wide range of topics, including network automation, security, virtualization, and network programmability.
These certified professionals possess the necessary skills to design and implement scalable and secure networks that meet the demands of modern businesses. Hiring professionals with the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification enables organizations to build robust networks, improve productivity, and stay ahead of technological advancements in the networking field.
For IT professionals, obtaining the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification can open new career opportunities and accelerate professional growth. This credential showcases their mastery of enterprise networking technologies, making them highly valuable to employers. CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certified professionals have the expertise to tackle complex network challenges and drive innovation within organizations.
The ideal candidate for Cisco's CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification is someone with five to seven years of experience. They should possess a deep understanding of core enterprise network technologies, such as IPv4 and IPv6 architecture, virtualization, and network security.
HOW TO EARN THIS CERTIFICATION:
- Pass a written exam.
- Pass an extensive hands-on lab exam.
4. CCNP ENTERPRISE — $98,320
Cisco's CCNP Enterprise certification is a highly regarded credential that validates a candidate's knowledge and expertise in enterprise network technologies. It covers various aspects, including designing and implementing cloud connectivity, wireless network implementation, advanced routing and switching, troubleshooting, and security.
Having CCNP Enterprise-certified professionals on board enhances an organization's ability to adapt to evolving technology trends, improve productivity, and mitigate network-related risks. These certified individuals possess the skills and knowledge to design, deploy, and manage complex network infrastructures efficiently. They can implement secure and reliable network solutions, optimize network performance, troubleshoot issues effectively, and ensure seamless connectivity across the organization.
For IT professionals, training for this credential provides them with a comprehensive understanding of enterprise network technologies and equips them with the skills needed to excel in roles such as network or system engineers and network consultants. This certification enhances their marketability and opens doors to new opportunities, higher job prospects, and better salary potential.
The ideal candidate for Cisco's CCNP Enterprise certification would be an experienced professional with a minimum of three to five years of practical experience in implementing and managing enterprise networking solutions. They should have a strong foundation in network architecture, IP addressing, and Cisco network fundamentals.
HOW TO EARN THIS CERTIFICATION:
- Pass a written exam.
- Complete one concentration exam of your choice.
5. CCNA — $82,582
Cisco's CCNA certification is a fundamental credential that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in networking fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability. It serves as a steppingstone for individuals starting their career in the field of networking.
These certified professionals possess a solid understanding of networking concepts and are capable of configuring, operating, and troubleshooting small to medium-sized networks. Their expertise enables organizations to maintain reliable and efficient network infrastructures, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer.
For IT professionals, obtaining the CCNA certification can be a game-changer in their careers. It demonstrates their foundational knowledge of networking technologies, making them valuable assets to any organization. This certification opens up doors to entry-level networking roles, such as network administrators, support engineers, and technicians. It provides a strong foundation for further career advancement, enabling IT professionals to pursue higher-level Cisco certifications and specialize in specific areas of networking.
The ideal candidate for Cisco's CCNA certification already works in the IT networking field and hopes to advance their career. While there are no formal prerequisites, having at least one year of experience working with Cisco solutions is recommended.
HOW TO EARN THIS CERTIFICATION:
- Pass a written exam.
A CLOSER LOOK AT JOB FUNCTIONS AND INDUSTRIES FOR CISCO CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS
Cisco certified professionals play a crucial role in the ever-evolving world of technology. Their expertise is highly sought after in various job functions and industries, highlighting the need to rely on their skills to drive innovation, enhance network performance, safeguard data, and maintain seamless connectivity in today’s digital landscape.
Here are the top job functions for Cisco-certified professionals:
- Infrastructure, Networking, and Telecommunications – 32%
- Cybersecurity, Information Security – 15%
- IT Architecture and Design – 12%
- Service Desk and IT Support – 8%
- Cloud Computing – 7%
And here are the top industries:
- IT Consulting – 18%
- IT Software – 14%
- Accounting, Auditing, Banking, and Finance – 8%
- Telecommunications – 7%
- Healthcare – 5%
HOW WE BUILT THE LIST
This list of top-paying Cisco certifications is based on survey responses from Skillsoft’s IT Skills and Salary Survey conducted from May to September 2023. The survey asks respondents about their current jobs and experience, certifications and salaries, and more. Respondents encounter multiple choice and multi-select, open-ended, rank choice, and other types of questions while taking the survey.
The survey is distributed to IT professionals around the world by technology providers, certification bodies, and Skillsoft, among others. The focus of this list is on 597 respondents who reported having one or more Cisco certifications. The number of responses for each certification worldwide is as follows: CCIE Security (48), CCIE Data Center (52), CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure (56), CCNP Enterprise (70), CCNA (298). For the U.S.: CCIE Security (25), CCIE Data Center (29), CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure (25), CCNP Enterprise (19), CCNA (81).
