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The 2024 guide to CCNP salary: What to expect as a certified professional

The digital world runs on networks, and the people who build and maintain them are in high demand. In fact, according to Cyberseek, there are over 237,000 open networking job positions in the U.S. alone! 

If you're considering a career in this exciting field, earning your Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise certification is a powerful step to take. The "P" in CCNP stands for "Professional" and is a higher-level certification that is designed for professionals who have already gained a solid foundation in networking through their CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification. 

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But what is the salary of a CCNP holder? That's exactly what we'll explore in this guide. We'll also examine the diverse job opportunities available to CCNP holders, dissect the factors influencing salary potential, and provide insights into preparing for your CCNP certification. 

Understanding CCNP job roles 

To best understand CCNP salaries, it's important to know what type of skills are covered in the CCNP and the type of roles CCNP professionals hold. 

Cisco is the industry leader in networking equipment. The CCNP curriculum covers core enterprise networking topics like network infrastructure, security, automation and programmability with a Cisco-specific focus. This comprehensive knowledge translates directly into a wide range of exciting job opportunities. Here are some of the key job roles that open up with your CCNP: 

• Network engineer: The go-to problem-solver designing, implementing and maintaining complex networks that keep businesses running. 
• Network administrator: The guardian of network stability, monitoring performance, troubleshooting issues and ensuring smooth operations 24/7. 
• Network security engineer: With their deep understanding of network vulnerabilities and security protocols, they implement and manage security solutions to protect networks from cyberattacks. 
• Network analyst: These problem solvers analyze network performance, identify bottlenecks and recommend solutions to improve efficiency and security. 

How much money does a CCNP make? 

The question on every aspiring CCNP holder's mind: how much can I expect to earn? While there's no general-purpose answer, we can examine reliable sources to get a better idea of your earning potential: 

• Payscale: This platform provides associated salary ranges based on certifications. 
• Salary.com: This site gathers data on specific job titles and their corresponding salary ranges, and we'll use the network engineer role to represent CCNP holders. 
• Glassdoor: This platform offers user-submitted salary data based on job roles, often including base salary and additional compensation. Again, we'll use network engineer salary data. 

By combining this data, we can estimate an average CCNP salary range of $92,443 to $107,969, with a rough average of around $101,804. Your actual salary could be higher or lower. We'll look at why in the next section. 

Factors influencing CCNP salaries 

Several factors influence your earning potential as a CCNP certification holder, including your job title, your experience, where you work and the industry you work in. 

How job role affects CCNP salary 

The CCNP isn't tied to a single job title. Your chosen path will impact your salary. Here are some examples of average salaries courtesy of Payscale: 

• Network engineer: $91,012 
• Network administrator: $74,764 
• Network security engineer: $100,728 
• Network analyst: $74,533 

Diving deeper into specific areas like security or the cloud can further increase your earning potential. While we focused on the CCNP Enterprise certification in this guide, four other CCNP certifications can complement it: 

• CCNP Data Center 
• CCNP Security 
• CCNP Collaboration 
• CCNP Service Provider 

How experience affects CCNP salary 

Experience is a powerful salary booster. Here's how your CCNP journey can translate into a growing income using data from Glassdoor and the network engineer job title: 

• 0-3 years: $81,000 
• 4-6 years: $89,000 
• 7-9 years: $94,000 

• 10-14 years: $106,000 

How location and industry affect salary 

Geography and industry will also affect your earning potential. Regions with a high concentration of tech industries or a higher cost of living tend to offer higher salaries. Here are some examples of average salaries of CCNA holders with the network engineer role by state from Salary.com: 

• California: $101,965 
• New Jersey: $101,770 
• Colorado: $93,395 
• Kansas: $88,024 
• Arkansas: $82,243 

Here are some average CCNP salaries in different industries using data on network engineers from Glassdoor: 

• Financial services: $114,000 
• Telecommunications: $109,000 
• Healthcare: $108,000 
• Legal: $98,000 
• Education: $94,000 

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CCNP career opportunities 

Remember those 237,000+ open networking jobs mentioned earlier? That number is projected to keep growing. So, if you're looking for a career with stability and growth potential, look no further than the world of CCNP-powered networking. 

What sets CCNP holders apart is their expertise in Cisco, a giant in networking equipment. With a large market share, Cisco Solutions powers businesses of all sizes, making your CCNP certification a passport to success. 

The CCNP also represents a stepping stone within a well-defined career path: 

• Build your foundation: The CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is a foundational certification that validates your core networking knowledge. So, if you're weighing CCNA vs CCNP, your CCNA should come first. 
• Master the art of networking: The CCNP takes a deeper dive into advanced network design, implementation and troubleshooting. 
• Scale the expert ladder: After conquering the CCNP, ambitious individuals can pursue CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) certification, the pinnacle of Cisco expertise. 

Just because you have a CCNP doesn't mean you're confined to the Cisco ecosystem. Your transferable skills and knowledge opens doors to a variety of exciting career paths: 

• Cloud networking and infrastructure: Design and manage complex cloud-based networks, a rapidly growing sector fueled by digital transformation. 
• Network security: Bolster your defenses against cyber threats with your security-focused CCNP knowledge, becoming a vital asset in the fight against ever-evolving threats. 
• Non-Cisco networking: Apply your transferable networking skills to various vendors and technologies, expanding your career horizons beyond the Cisco realm. 

CCNP for cybersecurity job roles 

If your passion lies in safeguarding the digital realm, the CCNP certification can be your key to unlocking a rewarding career in cybersecurity. While the core CCNP focuses on network design and implementation, its curriculum lays a solid foundation for various cybersecurity roles. 

Here's how the specific areas covered in the CCNP enterprise exams (ENCOR and ENSARI) equip you with the skills to thrive in this high-demand field: 

• Network security fundamentals: Gain a comprehensive understanding of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDP/IPS) and secure protocols like VPNs. 
• Secure network design: Learn to design and Implement networks with security in mind, mitigating vulnerabilities and minimizing attack surfaces. 
• Threat detection and analysis: Sharpen your skills in identifying and analyzing network threats, enabling you to respond swiftly and effectively. 
• Advanced routing and switching: Master the intricacies of secure routing protocols and switching technologies, ensuring efficient and secure network traffic flow. 

These valuable skills translate directly into many high-demand cybersecurity roles, including: 

• Security analyst: Analyze security logs, identify threats, and take action to mitigate risks. 
• Penetration tester: Ethically hack into systems to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do. 
• Network security engineer: Design, implement, and manage secure network infrastructure. 

Preparing for your CCNP 

If you've made it this far, we're guessing that the CCNP has sparked your interest and you're eager to start unlocking its career-bossing potential. But where do you begin? 

Here's your roadmap to CCNP success: 

• Master the fundamentals: Before diving into the CCNP itself, ensure you have a solid grasp of networking basics. The CCNA certification is a great starting point, providing a strong foundation for understanding core networking concepts. 
• Choose your training: Once you're comfortable with the fundamentals, it's time to chart your CCNP course. Consider your learning style and schedule: 
  • Live boot camps: Immerse yourself in the intensive, hands-on training with our live CCNP Enterprise Training Boot Camp. 
  • Self-paced learning paths: If you prefer flexibility and independent learning, our comprehensive CCNP Enterprise Learning Paths allow you to progress at your own pace. 
• Leverage valuable resources: Don't go it alone. Supplement your learning with valuable resources like: 
  • Our CCNP hub: Our comprehensive CCNP informational hub provides in-depth details on everything you want to know about the CCNP. 
  • Online communities: Connect with fellow network enthusiasts on platforms like our own TechExams CCNP forum. 

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Is CCNP in demand? 

This certification has been around for a while, and you may be wondering, "Is CCNP still in demand?" The answer is definitely. Here's why: 

• With over 237,000 open networking positions in the U.S. alone and a projected surge in demand, the need for skilled professionals is undeniable. 
• CCNP holders possess hands-on expertise in industry-leading Cisco technologies, making your certification a valuable asset in countless organizations. 
• The CCNP equips you with a versatile skillset that transcends the Cisco ecosystem, giving you the power to chart your unique career path. 
• The CCNP opens doors to lucrative career opportunities, with CCNP salaries averaging $101,804 per year. 

If you're passionate about networking, eager to grow your career, and ready to unlock you, then the CCNP will open doors. Start your journey today and join the ranks of highly sought-after networking professionals!