What Cisco Certifications are Most In-Demand Right Now​?

In an information technology landscape defined by relentless transformation, the value of a globally recognized credential cannot be overstated. Today’s digital infrastructures are navigating the complex currents of multi-cloud architectures, the persistent and evolving threat of sophisticated cyberattacks, and the dawn of AI-driven network management.¹ Amid this evolution, Cisco Systems remains a foundational pillar of the networking world. Its hardware and software solutions form the backbone of countless enterprise networks, making Cisco certifications a durable and highly respected benchmark for technical expertise and a critical asset for meaningful career advancement.⁴

For 2025, the most in-demand Cisco certifications are the foundational Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) for its broad applicability and high job volume; the specialized Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security and CCNP Enterprise for their direct link to high-paying, senior roles; and the forward-looking Cisco Automation (formerly DevNet) track for its essential role in future-proofing an IT career against the industry’s shift toward programmability.

To navigate the Cisco certification landscape is to plan a strategic career path. The term “in-demand” is not a single metric but a composite of three critical factors, each of which this report will explore in detail. First is Job Market Volume, which identifies the certifications that open the most doors for employment. Second is Salary Potential, which highlights the credentials that command the highest compensation. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is Future-Proofing, which assesses the certifications that align with the long-term technological trajectory of the industry, ensuring relevance for years to come.

Blog Claim: In 2025, the most strategic Cisco certifications are not merely those that secure a job today, but those that construct a resilient career path for the AI-driven, automated, and security-conscious future of IT.

What Foundational Certification Offers the Best Return on Investment?

For any professional aspiring to build a career in network engineering, cybersecurity, or IT infrastructure, the journey begins with a single, indispensable credential. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) stands as the undisputed and essential starting point. It is more than just an entry-level certification; it is the foundational language of modern networking, providing the comprehensive knowledge base upon which all advanced specializations and successful careers are built.⁶

The CCNA remains the industry’s premier foundational certification, offering a direct pathway to a wide array of entry-level networking roles and providing the prerequisite knowledge essential for all advanced specializations. Its curriculum, updated for modern network environments, makes it the single best initial investment for aspiring IT professionals.⁶

The enduring demand for the CCNA certification is rooted in its continuous evolution to reflect the realities of the modern network. The current CCNA (200-301) exam has expanded far beyond its historical focus on basic routing and switching. Its curriculum is now a comprehensive survey of the skills required for a contemporary networking role. The exam domains include not only Network Fundamentals (20%) and IP Connectivity (25%) but also critical, modern topics such as Security Fundamentals (15%) and Automation and Programmability (10%).¹⁰ This modernization ensures that certified individuals possess practical skills that align directly with current industry needs, countering any misconception that the CCNA is outdated.¹¹

This alignment with market needs translates directly into a robust job market for certificate holders. A vast number of job postings for roles like Network Technician, Help Desk Analyst, Junior Network Administrator, and IT Support Specialist explicitly list the CCNA as a firm requirement or a strong preference.⁷ The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a sustained need for networking professionals, with an estimated 240,000 job openings expected each year in related roles, for which the CCNA serves as a key qualification.⁸ This high volume of opportunities provides a clear and immediate return on the investment in certification.

Financially, that return is substantial. While the CCNA exam costs approximately $300 USD, the salary potential it unlocks is significant.⁶ Industry reports indicate that starting salaries for CCNA holders in the United States typically range from $58,000 to $85,000, with a comfortable average of around $81,828 annually—a notable premium compared to their non-certified peers.⁸ This immediate financial uplift makes the CCNA one of the highest-ROI investments available to an aspiring IT professional.

However, the CCNA’s value extends beyond the first job. It is not an endpoint but a critical gateway to a long-term career. The knowledge validated by the CCNA is the prerequisite for pursuing higher-level certifications like the CCNP and CCIE, which open doors to specialization, leadership, and even greater earning potential.⁶

In a competitive job market often saturated with entry-level candidates, the CCNA’s primary value proposition for employers is risk reduction. Hiring managers are tasked with sorting through countless resumes, many from applicants who lack verifiable, hands-on skills.¹⁵ A globally recognized and respected credential like the CCNA functions as a trusted, third-party validation of a candidate’s baseline competence.¹⁴ It signals a proven level of commitment, discipline, and technical aptitude. This solves a crucial business problem for employers by making the hiring and screening process more efficient and reliable, thereby giving certified candidates a distinct and powerful advantage in securing their first role.¹⁷

The CCNA is the single most crucial investment for an aspiring network professional, delivering unparalleled foundational knowledge, industry recognition, and immediate career opportunities.

Which Professional-Level Certifications Command the Highest Salaries?

While the CCNA provides the essential foundation to enter the IT industry, the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) tier represents the pathway to deep specialization and a dramatic leap in earning potential. Moving from the Associate to the Professional level is the most direct way for an IT practitioner to transition from generalist roles to highly valued expert positions, enabling them to build a lucrative and focused career.¹⁸

The CCNP Security and CCNP Enterprise certifications consistently rank among the highest-paying IT credentials globally. They command average salaries well over $160,000, reflecting intense industry demand for experts who can secure corporate assets and manage complex, large-scale network infrastructures.²⁰

The exceptional salary commanded by the CCNP Security certification is a direct market response to one of the most pressing challenges in the technology sector: the global cybersecurity skills gap. According to Skillsoft’s 2025 salary report, professionals holding the CCNP Security certification earn an average annual salary of $168,159.²¹ This figure is not arbitrary; it is a reflection of pure economic supply and demand. Globally, organizations are facing a record shortfall of 4.8 million unfilled cybersecurity roles.²² The consequences of this talent shortage are severe, with research showing that the cost of a data breach is, on average,

$1.76 million higher for companies with significant security staffing shortages compared to those that are well-staffed.²² In this context, a CCNP Security-certified professional is not seen as a cost but as a critical investment in risk mitigation and business continuity, justifying the premium salary.

Similarly, the CCNP Enterprise certification validates the expertise required to manage the vast and intricate networks that underpin modern business operations. With an average salary ranging from $144,912 to the $166,524 earned by its expert-level CCIE counterpart, this certification is highly valued.⁴ It proves a professional’s ability to design, deploy, troubleshoot, and manage complex enterprise infrastructures, including advanced routing, virtualization, network assurance, and automation principles.⁷

A key feature of the CCNP program is its flexible structure, which allows for deep specialization. To achieve a CCNP certification, a candidate must pass two exams: one comprehensive core exam (such as 350-401 ENCOR for Enterprise or 350-701 SCOR for Security) and one concentration exam of their choice.⁶ This modular approach allows professionals to tailor their credential to specific, high-demand technologies like SD-WAN, advanced routing and services (ENARSI), or securing networks with firewalls, further increasing their specific market value and appeal to employers.²³

The data reveals a compelling trend that elevates the CCNP Security certification beyond a purely technical credential. With seven out of ten certified workers holding a managerial position, it is clear this certification is increasingly functioning as a de facto indicator for leadership readiness.²⁰ This phenomenon can be understood by examining the pressures on modern businesses. The severe cybersecurity skills gap forces organizations to seek not just technicians, but leaders who can develop and own a comprehensive security strategy.²² The CCNP Security curriculum, which covers strategic topics such as security architecture, policy enforcement, and risk management, directly addresses these leadership competencies.²⁴ Consequently, employers appear to be using the CCNP Security certification as a reliable proxy for strategic security competence, promoting these individuals into or hiring them for leadership roles where they are tasked with managing one of the company’s greatest existential risks.

Specializing with a CCNP in Security or Enterprise is the most direct route to a six-figure salary and a leadership position within IT infrastructure management.

How Is Cisco Adapting Its Certifications for the Future of AI and Automation?

The IT industry is undergoing a fundamental paradigm shift. For decades, network management was a manual, hands-on discipline dominated by the command-line interface (CLI). Today, that model is being replaced by a software-centric approach defined by infrastructure-as-code, network programmability, and the rise of AI-driven operations.² In response to this irreversible trend, Cisco is undertaking a strategic evolution of its certification portfolio to ensure its credentialed professionals remain at the forefront of network technology.³⁵

Cisco is strategically future-proofing its entire certification portfolio by evolving the DevNet track into a full-fledged CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE Automation track, effective February 3, 2026. This signals that programmability and automation skills are now core, non-negotiable competencies for the next generation of network engineers.³⁶

The business case for network automation is overwhelming. As networks grow in complexity with the integration of cloud services, IoT devices, and remote workforces, manual management becomes inefficient, error-prone, and unscalable.³⁹ Automation delivers tangible benefits, including increased operational efficiency, faster deployment of services, significant cost savings, and a dramatic reduction in human error.⁴⁰ This value proposition is driving massive market growth, with the network automation sector projected to expand from nearly $31 billion in 2025 to almost $88 billion by 2030.³³

Recognizing this shift as central to the future of networking, Cisco has announced a landmark update to its certification program. Effective February 3, 2026, the entire DevNet certification track, which focuses on software development and automation for Cisco platforms, will be rebranded and integrated into the main certification hierarchy ³⁶:

• The DevNet Associate certification will become CCNA Automation.
• The DevNet Professional certification will become CCNP Automation.
• The DevNet Expert certification will become CCIE Automation.

This change elevates automation from a niche specialty to a core discipline. The skills validated within this track are now positioned as essential for modern network professionals. These competencies include proficiency in programming languages like Python, the ability to interact with network devices and controllers via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), the use of version control systems like Git for managing configurations as code, and the deployment of automation frameworks such as Ansible.⁷

In parallel with this evolution, Cisco is also rebranding its cybersecurity certifications to leverage the strong brand recognition of its core framework. The CyberOps Associate will become CCNA Cybersecurity, and the professional-level credential will become CCNP Cybersecurity.² This creates a clearer, more intuitive progression path for security professionals and reinforces the synergy between networking and security.

This comprehensive rebranding initiative is more than a simple name change; it is a strategic maneuver to maintain the relevance of the entire Cisco ecosystem in an industry increasingly dominated by the public cloud. Cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure are inherently API-driven and managed programmatically—the native language of automation.³ This reality poses a long-term threat to traditional, hardware-centric networking roles, which could risk being absorbed into broader “cloud engineer” or “DevOps” roles. By fully integrating automation into its core CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE framework, Cisco is making a powerful statement: to be a modern Cisco expert, one

must be an automation expert. This strategic move bridges the gap between Cisco’s traditional on-premises networking dominance and the software-defined future of IT, ensuring that Cisco-certified professionals remain indispensable in managing the complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments that will define the next decade.

Mastering the skills within the new Cisco Automation track is no longer a niche specialty; it is an essential requirement for staying relevant and advancing in the next decade of IT.

Is the Expert-Level CCIE Still the Gold Standard for Networking Careers?

For over two decades, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification has held a legendary status within the IT industry. It is widely regarded as the most prestigious and technically demanding credential in the networking field, a benchmark of expertise often equated to earning a Ph.D. in networking.¹⁸ In an era of rapid technological change, its continued relevance and value are a testament to its rigor.

Yes, the CCIE remains the undisputed pinnacle of networking certification in 2025. Achieving it signifies an elite level of expertise, validates years of hands-on experience through a grueling lab exam, and unlocks the industry’s most senior and highest-paying roles, such as Network Architect and Principal Consultant.⁹

The CCIE certification is synonymous with unparalleled earning potential and access to the most strategic roles within an organization. Salary surveys consistently place CCIE holders at the top of the compensation spectrum, with typical earnings in the U.S. ranging from $120,000 to over $200,000 annually.¹⁸ The CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification, for example, commands an average salary of

$166,524.²¹ These figures reflect the demand for professionals who can fill the highest-impact positions, such as Network Architect, Senior Network Consultant, Security Architect, and IT Director—roles that are responsible for defining an organization’s technology strategy, not merely implementing it.¹⁴

The immense value of the CCIE is forged in its exceptionally challenging certification process. Candidates must first pass a written qualifying exam (which is the same as the CCNP core exam) before attempting the final hurdle: a notoriously difficult, 8-hour hands-on lab exam that simulates a complex, real-world network environment.⁷ The journey to passing this lab often requires years of dedicated study and practical experience. It is this grueling preparation process that truly defines the credential. It forces candidates to develop a deep, holistic mastery of network protocols and technologies, honing their ability to troubleshoot the most complex problems under intense pressure. Many who achieve the certification report that the journey itself fundamentally transformed their understanding of networking.⁴³

In the modern era of cloud computing and automation, some have questioned the relevance of a certification so deeply rooted in network fundamentals. However, this deep, protocol-level knowledge is arguably more critical than ever. As organizations build complex hybrid networks that interconnect on-premises data centers with multiple public clouds, the underlying connectivity is paramount. When automated systems fail or cloud services become unreachable, it is the CCIE-level expert who possesses the foundational knowledge to diagnose and resolve the root cause of the network problem.⁴³

In an economic climate marked by increasing uncertainty, including budget cuts, hiring freezes, and layoffs even within the technology sector, the CCIE functions as a powerful form of “career insurance”.²² During times of economic pressure, organizations are forced to retain their most critical, high-impact employees. The CCIE is universally recognized as the mark of an elite expert, an individual capable of solving the complex, high-stakes problems that can lead to major service outages and significant financial loss.¹⁸ A CCIE holder is therefore viewed not as a discretionary cost center, but as a critical asset essential for maintaining business continuity. This status provides a level of job security and marketability that is unmatched by lower-level certifications, acting as a professional moat against career volatility and shifting the power dynamic, where top-tier recruiters actively seek out CCIEs for premier opportunities.¹⁷

While the journey is exceptionally demanding, achieving the CCIE certification provides an unparalleled level of career security, earning potential, and industry-wide respect.

Conclusion

Navigating the IT job market in 2025 requires a strategic approach to professional development. Cisco certifications continue to provide a clear and valuable framework for building a successful and resilient career in networking and infrastructure. The most effective path is not about a single certification, but a deliberate progression that builds foundational knowledge, develops lucrative specializations, and aligns with the future trajectory of technology.

The optimal career journey follows a logical, tiered strategy:

• START with the CCNA to build the essential, comprehensive foundation of networking knowledge and gain immediate access to a wide range of entry-level roles.⁶
• SPECIALIZE with a professional-level certification like the CCNP Enterprise or CCNP Security to develop deep expertise, unlock six-figure salaries, and position oneself for leadership opportunities.¹⁸
• FUTURE-PROOF by actively integrating the skills from the Cisco Automation (formerly DevNet) track. Proficiency in Python, APIs, and automation tools is no longer optional but essential for long-term relevance in an AI-driven world.²
• ASPIRE to the CCIE, the pinnacle of networking expertise, to achieve the ultimate level of career mastery, job security, and industry-wide prestige.¹⁸

By investing in a certification path that is both in-demand today and aligned with the innovations of tomorrow, IT professionals can take definitive control of their careers, ensuring they possess the skills and credentials necessary to thrive in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of technology.

External Links Recommendations

1. Official Cisco CCNA Certification and Training Page ⁴⁴
2. Official Cisco CCNP Enterprise Certification Page ²³
3. Official Cisco CCNP Security Certification Page ²⁴
4. Cisco’s Announcement: A New Era for Cisco Certifications ³⁸
5. Skillsoft’s Top-Paying IT Certifications Report ²¹
6. Official Cisco DevNet Associate (Future CCNA Automation) Page ⁴⁵
7. Official Cisco CCIE Program Information ¹⁸
8. Pearson VUE Cisco Exam Booking Portal ⁴⁷

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