As an experienced network engineer ponders the appropriate commands to implement QoS on a Cisco Nexus 7000 switch, it is possible that his or her thoughts could turn to making more money.
There are limited alternatives:
- Obtaining a raise in the existing job (assuming good or excellent performance reviews and can be complicated by management’s budget guidelines)
- Get a promotion with a pay increase
- Apply for a job with another company at higher pay
- Switch to a higher-paying career
Another alternative doesn’t involve changing jobs or careers. Instead, it involves gaining additional skills in network design and obtaining the associated Cisco certifications. Statistical information shows the salaries associated with network design certifications and the skillsets that go with them are highly valued and compensated.
Below are the 15 top-paying technology certifications for 2012, according to www.brian-lowell.com. The web site lists several pages of references for the information.
|
Rank
|
Certification
|
Average Salary
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PMP (Project Management Professional) | $111,909 |
| 2 | CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) | 110,342 |
| 3 | CCDA (Certified Cisco Design Associate) | 101,915 |
| 4 | ITIL v3 Foundation | 97,691 |
| 5 | MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) | 91,650 |
| 6 | VCP (VMware Certified Professional) | 91,648 |
| 7 | CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) | 90,457 |
| 8 | CompTIA Server+ | 84,997 |
| 9 | MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) | 84,330 |
| 10 | CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) | 82,993 |
| 11 | MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) | 82,923 |
| 12 | CompTIA Security | 80,066 |
| 13 | MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) | 79,363 |
| 14 | CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician) | 74,764 |
| 15 | CompTIA Network+ | 71,207 |
Note: CCIE and CCDP are absent because there were not enough entries to be statistically accurate.
It is not surprising that Cisco certifications rank high, but it might be surprising to some to note that the Cisco CCDA ranks number THREE.
Now, take a look at this comparison of Cisco certification salaries from several sources:
|
Certification
|
Information Source
|
Annual Salary
|
|---|---|---|
| CCDA | www.learnsmartsystems.com | $93,953 |
| www.quickcert.com | $98,142 | |
| www.nxtbook.com | $95,160 | |
| www.globalknowledge.com | $94,799 | |
| CCDP | www.learnsmartsystems.com | $104,760 |
| www.quickcert.com | $90,556* | |
| www.nxtbook.com | $105,960 | |
| www.globalknowledge.com | $103,199 | |
| CCNA | www.learnsmartsystems.com | $79,675 |
| www.quickcert.com | $85,251 | |
| www.nxtbook.com | $81,890 | |
| www.globalknowledge.com | $79,699 | |
| CCNP | www.learnsmartsystems.com | $89,860 |
| www.quickcert.com | $98,610 | |
| www.nxtbook.com | $91,860 | |
| www.globalknowledge.com | $89,749 | |
| CCENT | www.learnsmartsystems.com | $71,664 |
| www.nxtbook.com | $67,560 | |
| www.globalknowledge.com | $65,750 | |
| CCIE | Various | $120,000–$200,000 |
*Value is based on a small sample and may be less trustworthy.
Unless a network engineer’s salary is already above the levels shown by these studies, one fact becomes obvious: obtaining a Cisco Network Design certification is a way to make more money. These certifications can be obtained by attending the appropriate Cisco training classes and passing the associated Cisco certification exams. These certifications are well within the reach of any experienced network engineer, and CCNA certification or experience level is the only prerequisite.
BUT (there is always a “but”), getting the certification is not enough by itself. Network design skills are also required. These skills can be obtained in several ways:
- Volunteer to work with experienced network designers or design teams.
- Work with a mentor.
- Determine the requirements within the organization and meet them.
Bottom line: Achieving Cisco networking certifications can result in higher pay when accompanied by the appropriate skills. Of course, if gaining the needed skills turns out to be impossible within his or her current organization, the network professional may need to explore opportunities with other companies to use the new certification(s).
Related Courses
For ?CCDA certification (Cisco Exam 640–864):
CCDA Boot Camp
For CCDP certification (Cisco Exams 642–902, 642–813, and 640–874):
ARCH — Designing Cisco Network Service Architectures v2.1
SWITCH — Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks v1.0
ROUTE — Implementing Cisco IP Routing v1.0
About the Author
Ray Dooley, BS, MBA, CCSI, CCNA, CCNP, CCDA, CCDP, SE, FE, has been a network professional in several capacities for more than 30 years. He is the course director at Global Knowledge for CCDA, ARCH, SWITCH, ROUTE, TSHOOT, and ICMI. He has developed courses for Global Knowledge, Cisco Systems, and GE.