Can Cisco Certification Get You Job​?

In a technological landscape increasingly dominated by cloud computing and sophisticated automation, a persistent question echoes through the halls of IT departments and career counseling centers: Do traditional networking certifications, particularly from an industry titan like Cisco, still carry the weight they once did? As businesses migrate services to the cloud and embrace software-defined infrastructures, many aspiring and current IT professionals wonder if investing time and money into a Cisco certification is a sound strategy for securing a job in 2025 and beyond. This report provides a definitive, data-driven exploration of this question, analyzing salary data, job market trends, and employer perspectives to reveal the true value of a Cisco certification in the modern workforce.

A Cisco certification is a powerful credential that significantly increases the likelihood of securing a job, particularly for entry-level and career-changing professionals. Data shows that certified individuals earn 10-20% more than their non-certified peers ¹, and the CCNA is a key qualifier for roles like Network Administrator and Support Technician.² However, for mid-to-senior level positions, its value is maximized when combined with demonstrable hands-on experience and specialized skills in high-demand areas like security and automation.

The global IT industry is facing a critical and persistent skills gap, a challenge reported by two-thirds of IT decision-makers.⁴ In this environment, employers are increasingly relying on industry-recognized credentials as a primary tool to verify technical proficiency and mitigate hiring risks.⁵ Cisco certifications, as a long-standing “gold standard,” serve as a crucial trust signal for recruiters, often acting as the key that unlocks the first interview, especially when a candidate lacks a traditional four-year degree or extensive work history.⁷

Blog Claim: A Cisco certification is a highly effective catalyst for employment, but it is not a singular solution; its true value is unlocked when strategically combined with practical experience and aligned with high-growth specializations like cybersecurity and network automation, transforming it from a simple credential into a cornerstone of a successful and lucrative IT career.

What Is the Quantifiable Financial Return on a Cisco Certification?

Beyond simply landing a job, a primary motivator for pursuing certification is the potential for a significant salary increase. The decision to invest in a credential often hinges on its return on investment (ROI). This section moves beyond anecdotal evidence to dissect the hard numbers, analyzing salary data from multiple industry reports to provide a clear picture of the financial ROI associated with different Cisco certifications in the current market.

Cisco-certified professionals command a substantial salary premium, with U.S. salaries ranging from an average of $112,333 for the entry-level CCNA to over $168,159 for the specialized CCNP Security.⁹ Globally, this translates to an average salary of $94,840, which is 10-20% higher than non-certified peers in similar roles.¹

The Financial Landscape of Cisco Certifications

The financial incentive for earning a Cisco certification is clear and well-documented. The 2024 Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report establishes a foundational data point: Cisco-certified professionals earn, on average, 10–20% more than their non-certified counterparts in similar roles.¹ This “certification premium” is a powerful motivator and reflects a broader industry trend where credentials are used as a benchmark for expertise. General industry data supports this, with 93% of IT professionals reporting they hold at least one certification and 32% confirming they received a direct salary increase after earning a new one.⁴

The earning potential, however, is not uniform; it scales dramatically with the level and specialization of the certification. A detailed analysis of the salary landscape for 2025 reveals a distinct hierarchy of value:

• Entry-Level (CCST): The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) serves as the initial stepping stone. Professionals holding this certification can expect to earn between $47,000 and $89,000, with an average salary of approximately $68,899.¹¹ This credential validates foundational knowledge for roles like help-desk officers and technical assistants.
• Associate-Level (CCNA): The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is where earning potential begins to accelerate significantly. Global Knowledge’s 2025 salary report places the average U.S. salary for a CCNA holder at a robust $112,333.⁹ Other industry sources report a slightly more conservative but still substantial average, typically between $81,828 and $92,000.¹² This certification is the key that unlocks core networking roles, such as Network Administrator (average salary $70,597) and Network Engineer (average salary $87,236).¹³
• Professional-Level (CCNP): Advancing to the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) level marks a major leap in salary potential. The widely pursued CCNP Enterprise certification commands an average U.S. salary of $144,912.⁹ Data from PayScale corroborates this high valuation, showing an average of $110,000, with specialized roles like Network Architect reaching nearly $140,000.¹⁴ ZipRecruiter’s analysis finds a national average for CCNP holders at $111,081, demonstrating strong and consistent earning power at this tier.¹⁵
• Expert-Level (CCIE/CCDE): At the pinnacle of the Cisco certification ladder are the Expert-level credentials, which are associated with the highest salaries. The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in Enterprise Infrastructure averages $166,524 in the U.S., while the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) averages $160,163.⁹ These figures reflect the market’s premium valuation for professionals who can architect, deploy, and manage the most complex enterprise network environments.

The data reveals a clear progression: foundational knowledge, validated by the CCNA, is the necessary prerequisite for acquiring the advanced, high-value skills represented by the CCNP and CCIE. The highest salaries are not awarded for the credential alone, but for the mastery of complex, business-critical functions—such as designing secure, large-scale networks—that the certification validates. This progression suggests a strategic, multi-phase career path: use the CCNA to enter the field and gain experience, then pursue a CCNP or CCIE in a lucrative specialization to maximize long-term earning potential.

Specialization is a key determinant of salary. An analysis of top-paying certifications shows that security and core infrastructure expertise are in particularly high demand. The CCNP Security emerges as the top earner with an average U.S. salary of $168,159, surpassing even some Expert-level certifications.⁹ This highlights the critical importance organizations place on securing their network infrastructure against increasingly sophisticated threats.

Furthermore, geographic location plays a significant role in compensation. A CCNA holder in a tech hub like San Jose, California, can expect to earn an average of $94,734, well above the national average.¹² For CCNP professionals, top-paying cities include not only major tech centers like San Francisco (over $120,000) and New York ($100,985), but also remote, high-demand locations such as Nome, Alaska ($137,795), where a scarcity of specialized talent drives salaries upward.¹⁵

Ultimately, experience acts as the most powerful salary multiplier. A certification’s financial value is not static; it compounds significantly over a professional’s career. For instance, a newly certified CCNP professional with 0-3 years of experience might earn around $81,000. With 10-14 years of experience, that figure climbs to an average of $106,000, and for those with 15 or more years of experience, the average salary exceeds $117,000.¹⁶ This demonstrates that a certification is most powerful when paired with a proven track record of hands-on application.

Sub-heading claims: The most substantial salary increases are realized when advancing from the Associate (CCNA) to the Professional (CCNP) level, a move that can unlock a salary potential well over $120,000 for experienced professionals in high-demand specializations.

Which Cisco Certification Paths Lead to the Most In-Demand Jobs?

A certification’s true value is measured by its relevance in the job market. To be a worthwhile investment, it must align directly with the skills and roles that employers are actively seeking to fill. This section provides a strategic analysis of the official Cisco certification roadmap for 2025, mapping each level and specialization track to specific, in-demand job roles and illustrating the most effective pathways for career progression.

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is the definitive gateway certification, qualifying candidates for foundational roles like Network Support Technician, Help Desk Technician, and Junior Network Administrator.¹² Advancing to the CCNP level, particularly in the Enterprise or Security tracks, opens doors to mid-to-senior roles such as

Network Engineer, Systems Engineer, and Cybersecurity Analyst.²

Navigating the 2025 Cisco Career Roadmap

Cisco has streamlined its certification program into a clear, five-level hierarchy designed to guide professionals from foundational knowledge to expert-level mastery. Understanding this structure is essential for strategic career planning.²⁰

• Level 1: Entry (CCST)
  The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) is the new designated starting point for individuals with little to no prior IT experience. Offered in tracks like Networking and Cybersecurity, the CCST validates the fundamental skills needed for roles such as Tier 1 Help Desk Support and IT Support Specialist, providing a formal entry ramp into the tech industry.22
• Level 2: Associate (CCNA)
  The consolidated 200-301 CCNA exam serves as the cornerstone of the entire Cisco ecosystem. It has replaced several previous specialized CCNA tracks, now validating a broad and essential skill set that includes network access, IP connectivity, security fundamentals, and an introduction to automation and programmability.24 A review of thousands of job postings reveals that the CCNA is one of the most frequently requested credentials for roles like
  Entry-level Network Engineer, Network Administrator, Systems Engineer, and Technical Support Engineer.²
• Level 3: Professional (CCNP)
  The CCNP level marks the transition from generalist to specialist. To achieve a CCNP, a candidate must pass a comprehensive core exam and one concentration exam of their choice, allowing for tailored expertise. The primary tracks and their corresponding career paths are:

• CCNP Enterprise: This is the most direct path for professionals focused on core enterprise networking. It prepares individuals for roles like Senior Network Engineer, Network Consultant, TAC Engineer, and Solutions Architect, who are responsible for designing and managing complex wired and wireless networks.²
• CCNP Security: In a market with a severe cybersecurity skills shortage, this certification provides a direct route to high-demand roles. It validates the skills needed to secure network infrastructure, making holders ideal candidates for positions like Network Security Engineer, Security Architect, and Information Security Analyst.²
• CCNP Data Center: This track is designed for professionals who manage and maintain the critical infrastructure within data centers, leading to roles such as Data Center Engineer and Consulting Systems Engineer.¹⁷
• CCNP Collaboration: Focused on unified communications, this track prepares individuals for roles like Collaboration Administrator and Collaboration Solutions Engineer, managing voice, video, and messaging platforms.¹⁷

• Level 4: Specialist
  A Specialist certification is earned by passing any Professional-level concentration exam. This allows professionals to showcase deep expertise in a specific niche technology, such as SD-WAN, enterprise wireless design, or automation, making their resumes stand out for highly specialized roles.20
• Level 5: Expert (CCIE)
  The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) remains the most prestigious and challenging certification in the networking industry. Achieving a CCIE signifies a mastery of technical skills and qualifies a professional for the most senior and strategic roles, including Infrastructure Architect, Senior Network Consultant, Technical Manager, and Network Architect.2

A significant market signal can be observed in Cisco’s recent strategic rebranding of its certification tracks. The “DevNet” track is evolving into “Automation,” and the “CyberOps” track is now part of the “Cybersecurity” designation.²⁰ This is more than a semantic change; it is a deliberate alignment with the language and priorities of the broader IT industry. Terms like “Automation” and “Cybersecurity” are universally understood business imperatives that resonate strongly with HR departments and non-technical hiring managers. This change makes the certifications more legible and directly maps them as solutions to the industry’s most pressing talent shortages, thereby increasing their visibility and value in the job market.

The Automation (formerly DevNet) track, with its Associate and Professional levels, is designed for the modern role of the Network Automation Engineer or NetDevOps Engineer. It focuses on skills like Python programming, API integration, and infrastructure-as-code, which are critical for managing networks at scale.² The

Cybersecurity (formerly CyberOps) track provides a direct entry point into security operations centers (SOCs), preparing candidates for roles like Cybersecurity Analyst and Incident Responder.² Given that 42% of all cybersecurity professionals transition from core networking roles, this track offers a natural and highly lucrative progression for those who start with a CCNA.¹²

A direct analysis of job postings on platforms like Indeed confirms this demand. A search for “Network Engineer” in a major metropolitan area like New York City reveals numerous positions listing CCNA or CCNP as either a requirement or a strong preference. These roles span from mid-level engineers with salaries between $90,000 and $110,000 to senior network engineers at financial firms with compensation packages exceeding $250,000, demonstrating a clear correlation between Cisco certification, job seniority, and salary.³¹ Similar trends are observed in other regions, such as Pennsylvania, where roles from IT Site Administrator to Network Engineer frequently cite Cisco credentials.³²

Sub-heading claims: Specializing in high-growth tracks like Cybersecurity and Automation (formerly DevNet) provides the most direct route to future-proof, high-paying career opportunities, as reflected in both market demand and Cisco’s own certification roadmap evolution.

How Do Employers Weigh Certifications Against Experience and Degrees?

In the competitive IT job market, candidates often grapple with the relative importance of their qualifications. Is a certification a viable substitute for a four-year university degree? Can a newly earned credential compensate for a lack of on-the-job experience? Understanding the modern hiring calculus from an employer’s perspective is crucial for any professional planning their career path. This section analyzes how hiring managers weigh these different assets when making critical hiring decisions.

For entry-level roles, employers increasingly favor the practical, job-ready skills validated by a CCNA over a more theoretical bachelor’s degree.³⁵ However, for mid-level and senior positions,

demonstrated hands-on experience is paramount, with certifications acting as a valuable, but secondary, credential that validates expertise and can influence salary.⁵

The Modern Hiring Calculus: Certs, Experience, and Education

For individuals breaking into the IT field or transitioning from another career, a certification like the CCNA is not just beneficial—it is often essential. It serves as a powerful “foot in the door,” acting as a primary screening tool for hiring managers.³⁸ In a market with a significant talent shortage, employers use certifications to quickly assess technical proficiency, verify that a candidate meets industry standards, and reduce the overall risk associated with a new hire.⁵ Even when a job posting explicitly states “experience required,” many employers still value the CCNA as compelling evidence of a candidate’s dedication, technical aptitude, and grasp of networking fundamentals.¹²

This trend is amplified by the broader industry shift toward skills-based hiring. The long-held tradition of requiring a four-year degree for technical roles is becoming less relevant.⁵ A CCNA certification demonstrates mastery of specific, practical skills—such as configuring routers, implementing VLANs, and understanding OSPF—that are immediately applicable to a networking job. In contrast, a computer science degree typically provides a broader, more theoretical foundation.³⁵ When faced with two entry-level candidates, one with a degree and the other with a CCNA, hiring managers often view the certified individual as the more job-ready applicant, capable of contributing to the team with less initial training.

However, as a professional’s career advances, the balance of importance shifts decisively toward hands-on experience. For mid-level and senior roles, experience is the primary qualifier. Discussions among hiring managers reveal a consistent perspective: they are far more interested in what a candidate has accomplished with their skills than in the credential itself.³⁷ A CCNP on a resume backed by five or more years of relevant network engineering experience is a powerful combination. Conversely, a CCNP earned quickly with only a few months of unrelated help desk experience will be less compelling for a senior engineering position.³⁹ The certification validates the knowledge, but the experience proves the ability to apply that knowledge to solve real-world business problems.

This dynamic reveals a symbiotic, rather than adversarial, relationship between certification and experience. The two are not mutually exclusive choices but rather sequential components of a successful career trajectory. The certification acts as a catalyst, lowering the barrier to entry and enabling a candidate to secure the first job. That job then provides the platform to accumulate the hands-on experience that becomes the primary qualification for future, more senior roles. This creates a powerful career-building feedback loop: the certification enables the acquisition of experience, and that experience, in turn, amplifies the value and salary potential of both current and future certifications.

From a cost-benefit perspective, the CCNA presents a remarkably efficient path to a professional career compared to a traditional four-year degree. A bachelor’s degree in a related field can cost anywhere from $15,000 to over $80,000 and requires a four-year time commitment. In contrast, preparing for and taking the CCNA exam typically costs between $1,500 and $4,000 (including training courses) and can be achieved in 6 to 12 months. Despite this vast difference in investment, the average starting salary for a CCNA holder is comparable to that of a graduate with a computer science degree.³⁵ This makes certification an extremely attractive option for individuals focused on entering the workforce quickly and with minimal debt.

Employers also see a clear return on their investment in certified staff. Surveys of IT decision-makers consistently show that certified employees add tangible value. They are perceived to perform better, solve complex technical problems more quickly, reduce network downtime, and require less time to become fully productive during onboarding.⁶ One comprehensive report found that 97% of IT leaders believe certified staff add value to their organization, with over one-fifth of them estimating that this added value is worth more than $30,000 annually per certified employee.⁴

Sub-heading claims: Certifications are the key to opening the first door for entry-level candidates and career changers; experience is what allows you to walk through subsequent, more senior-level doors.

What Future Trends Will Define the Value of Cisco Certs Beyond 2025?

The information technology industry is characterized by relentless evolution. To accurately assess the long-term value of investing in a Cisco certification, it is essential to look beyond the current job market and analyze the macro-trends that are shaping the future of enterprise networking. This section examines the key technological shifts on the horizon and evaluates how Cisco’s certification portfolio is positioned to remain relevant and valuable in the years to come.

The long-term value of Cisco certifications will be defined by their alignment with the industry’s unstoppable shifts toward automation, cloud integration, and cybersecurity.⁴⁰ The demand for network engineers is projected to grow significantly, with the market size expected to double to over $104 billion by 2034, driven by 5G, IoT, and cloud adoption.⁴² Cisco’s evolving curriculum, especially in its Automation and Cybersecurity tracks, is designed to meet this future demand.

Aligning with the Future of Enterprise Networking

Contrary to concerns that new technologies might render traditional networking skills obsolete, market projections indicate the opposite. The demand for skilled network engineering is not shrinking; it is expanding at a remarkable rate. The global network engineering services market, valued at approximately $48 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $52 billion in 2025 and more than double to over $104 billion by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.97%.⁴² This explosive growth is driven by several powerful trends:

• The deployment of 5G networks, which require a massive build-out and optimization of underlying infrastructure.
• The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which add billions of new endpoints that must be connected, managed, and secured.
• The continued migration to cloud computing and the consumption of data-intensive applications, which demand higher bandwidth and more resilient networks.
• The critical need for robust network security to defend against a constantly evolving threat landscape.⁴²

This strong and sustained market growth provides a solid foundation for the long-term relevance of core networking skills. However, the nature of these skills is evolving. The future of networking belongs to the “T-shaped” professional—an expert with deep knowledge in a core domain (like networking) and broad capabilities in adjacent, integrated areas.⁴¹ Three areas are paramount for future-proofing a networking career:

1. Automation and Programmability: The manual, command-line configuration of network devices is rapidly being replaced by automated, software-driven approaches. Proficiency in scripting languages like Python, an understanding of REST APIs, and experience with automation frameworks like Ansible are becoming mandatory skills for network engineers.⁴⁰ This shift is critical for managing networks at scale, improving operational efficiency, and reducing human error.
2. Cloud Integration: The modern enterprise network is no longer confined to an on-premises data center. It is a hybrid entity that spans multiple public cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. Network engineers must now possess the skills to design, secure, and manage the complex connectivity between on-premises infrastructure and cloud environments.²⁶
3. Cybersecurity Convergence: The line between networking and security has effectively dissolved. Every network decision has security implications, and robust security is impossible without a deep understanding of the underlying network architecture. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies “networks and cybersecurity” as one of the top three fastest-growing skill sets for the 2025-2030 period.⁴⁴ Professionals who can bridge these two domains are in exceptionally high demand.¹²

The increasing complexity of modern technology—from software-defined networking (SDN) to multi-cloud architectures—is paradoxically reinforcing the value of foundational networking knowledge. As network functions become more abstracted and automated, a deep, fundamental understanding of how data packets actually move across a network (the principles of routing, switching, TCP/IP, and subnetting) becomes more critical than ever. When an abstracted system fails, it cannot be effectively troubleshooted without this core knowledge. Cisco’s curriculum has always been heavily focused on these fundamentals.² Therefore, instead of making Cisco certifications obsolete, these advanced trends are creating a “flight to quality,” where employers will pay a premium for true experts who possess the deep, foundational knowledge required to design, manage, and troubleshoot the complex networks of the future.

Cisco is not a passive observer of these trends; the company is actively adapting its certification portfolio to meet them. The inclusion of Automation and Programmability as a core domain in the modern CCNA exam is a clear acknowledgment of its importance.⁴⁵ The evolution of the DevNet track to a more broadly understood

Automation track, the heavy focus on SD-WAN within the CCNP Enterprise, and the integration of security concepts across the entire curriculum are all strategic moves designed to keep Cisco certifications aligned with the future of the industry.⁷ This proactive adaptation is perhaps the strongest indicator of their enduring value and relevance for years to come.

Sub-heading claims: The future “gold standard” professional will not just hold a Cisco certification but will complement it with demonstrable skills in network automation (Python), cloud platforms (AWS/Azure), and advanced security, creating a “T-shaped” skill set that is highly resilient to market changes.

Conclusion

The evidence overwhelmingly confirms that a Cisco certification remains a highly valuable asset for securing employment and advancing a career in the IT industry of 2025 and beyond. It serves as an industry-recognized validation of essential skills, leading to higher salaries, increased job opportunities, and a clear pathway for professional growth. However, its role and impact vary depending on an individual’s career stage and goals. A certification is not a guarantee of success but a powerful catalyst that, when combined with experience and continuous learning, becomes a cornerstone of a resilient and rewarding career.

Based on the comprehensive analysis of market data, salary reports, and hiring trends, the following actionable advice is recommended for different career profiles:

• For the Aspiring Beginner: The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is the single most effective and cost-efficient credential for breaking into the IT industry. The primary objective should be to earn the CCNA to acquire foundational knowledge and make a resume stand out to employers. Immediately upon certification, the focus should shift to securing an entry-level role, such as a Help Desk Technician, Network Support Technician, or a position in a Network Operations Center (NOC). This first job is critical, as it provides the platform to begin accumulating the hands-on experience that will fuel all future career advancement.
• For the Mid-Career Professional: For those already in the field, advancing to the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or the elite Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) level is a proven strategy for unlocking significant salary increases and qualifying for senior-level positions. The most strategic approach is to pursue a specialization in a high-growth, high-demand area. Focusing on the CCNP Security track addresses the critical industry-wide shortage of cybersecurity talent. Alternatively, pursuing the CCNP Enterprise with a concentration in Automation (ENAUI) or SD-WAN (ENSDWI) will align skills directly with the future of enterprise networking, maximizing long-term relevance and earning potential.
• For the Career-Changer: The CCNA serves as the ideal “bridge” for professionals transitioning into the technology sector from other fields. It provides a structured, comprehensive learning path and results in a respected credential that can effectively substitute for a traditional IT-related bachelor’s degree in the eyes of many hiring managers. In a skills-based hiring market, the CCNA demonstrates tangible, job-ready abilities, offering the fastest and most direct route to launching a new, well-paying career in network engineering or administration.

External links recommendations

1. Cisco Certification Roadmaps – https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/cisco-certification-roadmaps ²⁹
2. A New Era for Cisco Certifications – https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/a-new-era-for-cisco-certifications ³⁰
3. Global Knowledge / Skillsoft IT Skills and Salary Report – https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en/content/salary-report/it-skills-and-salary-report/ ⁴
4. World Economic Forum – The Future of Jobs Report 2025 Digest – https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/digest/ ⁴⁴
5. CompTIA IT Industry Outlook 2025 – https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/it-industry-outlook-2025/ ⁴⁶
6. Precedence Research – Network Engineering Services Market Report – https://www.precedenceresearch.com/network-engineering-services-market ⁴²
7. PayScale – Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Salary -(https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Cisco_Certified_Network_Associate_(CCNA)/Salary) ¹³
8. ZipRecruiter – CCNA CCNP Salary -(https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Ccna-Ccnp-Salary) ⁴⁷
9. Infosec Institute – The Job Outlook for CCNA Professionals – https://www.infosecinstitute.com/resources/ccna/the-job-outlook-for-ccna-professionals/ ¹²
10. Nexgent – Is the CCNA Equivalent to a Degree? – https://nexgent.com/is-the-ccna-equivalent-to-a-degree/ ³⁵

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