If you are stuck at one job title with little to no salary increment, then it is time to look around for opportunities to improve your qualifications and get a better IT salary. In a field as dynamic as IT, certification can make a huge difference.
IT managers make about $83,000 per year on an average. However, IT professionals need years of experience to get to the managerial level. Most people start as technicians making around $66,000 per year and then slowly move ahead.
Many IT engineers today heading departments and companies actually started as technicians. Anyone who gains knowledge and experience is able to move ahead in the race.
One of the best ways to achieve this is through third-party certification with a reputable company like Cisco. Cisco certifications are designed for network engineers who want to excel in their careers and increase their salaries.
The first step is to find an institution that can prepare you for the exam. There are different types of Cisco Certifications engineers can opt for. Choosing the right one depends largely on your desired field of expertise and its requirements.
Cisco Certification Salaries: Make More with The Right Certification
The median salary of a Cisco-certified IT professional is about $70,000. Senior engineers earn about $96,000 on average.
Your salary will depend on many factors, including relevant experience and demonstrable skills. Cisco’s certifications can provide a stable foundation for both. The company has a five-level certification process.
Ambitious engineers who wish to make more money should try to complete all 5 levels:
Entry Level: CCENT Salary
The most popular option is CCENT, Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician. It validates a technician’s ability to set up, troubleshoot, and operate a small branch network.
It comes with no prerequisites and is valid for three years. Individuals with this certification make about $60,000 per year. CCENT salary figures are characteristic of entry-level tech jobs. Certified individuals can be technicians, front desk officers, and technical assistants.
Associate Level: CCNA Salary
Cisco Certified Network Associate, more commonly known as CCNA, is an associate-level IT certification. It is broken down into different specializations including Cloud, Security, and Wireless.
CCNA salary figures stand at about $72,000 in today’s market. With more experience, this can go up to $85,000.
Professional Level: CCNP Salary
An individual with a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certificate can make about $99,000 on an average. Network professionals are in high-demand throughout the tech industry, and CCNP salary figures are unsurprisingly high.
This certification is broken into different specializations including Routing and Switching, Cloud, and Security. Each of these offers cutting-edge, up-to-the-minute information on the field.
Expert Level: CCIE Salary
The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is a globally accepted certification that can earn you $103,100 on an average. This certification includes the latest and most valuable insights on today’s most in-demand networking skills.
Like previously discussed certifications, this one is also divided into specializations including Security, Data Center, and Wireless. Individuals with such an advanced certification can design, troubleshoot, implement, and build very complex networking infrastructures.
This level of professional certification is the surest bet for a six-figure income. Whether opting for a data center and storage salary, a routing and switching salary, or a security salary, most professionals can leverage these in-demand skills towards large incomes.
Architect Level: CCAr Salary
Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) is the last and highest level of accreditation offered by Cisco. These individuals boost their Cisco certification salary of about $123,000 on an average.
Cisco-certified architects represent the highest echelon of tech industry engineers. These are the people that visionary entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk go to when asking the tough questions – the hows and whens of technological disruption.
A Cisco Certification Can Be Your Doorway to Greater Job Satisfaction
Opt for the right certification and try to gain as many as you can for as long as they are relevant to your field. Some certifications have wider applications than others – a Cisco-certified unified communications salary or a wireless salary is likely to be high in a broad variety of contexts.
If you’re looking for more opportunities to shine and grow, you owe it to yourself to enhance your skills or look for your dream job.
Contact us by phone at 913.322.7062 / 314.644.6400 or by completing the following form to know more about how different certifications can uplift your career.