In the US, a CCNA-certified network specialist will earn an average of $64,430 per year, while a CCNA-certified senior networking engineer can earn up to $116,165 a year. The city with the highest CCNA-certified salaries is Barnstable Town, MA, followed by Sunnyvale, CA and Santa Cruz, CA. Combined, these four cities account for more than 90 percent of CCNA certifications.
The higher the level of certification, the higher the salary. Certifications like the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCIDE), the Google Professional Cloud Engineer, and the VMware Certified Design Expert in Network Virtualization add 7% to the base salary of an individual. Despite these differences, many networking hiring managers are looking for candidates with specific cloud-related skills. Furthermore, certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and VMware Certified Design Expert in Network Virtualization are ranked among the top ten most-wanted credentials. In addition, additional experience will boost your salary by 10.4%.
Network+, the first level of certification, is hosted by CompTIA. Those with this certification can work as network administrators, network engineers, and network support technicians. The salary range for Network+ certifications has increased by 200 percent in the last four years. Compared to the average PC support technician, the average Network+-certified individual earns $71,000 per year. And, even entry-level network support technicians can expect to make $51,718 per year.
Cisco and Fortinet are two examples of vendors that hire candidates with Cisco certifications. Fortinet, CCNP, and Palo Alto Engineer Level are also popular choices. Many of these vendors require their employees to hold at least one network certification as part of their job description. While these certifications may seem low-paying, they can open up doors to new job opportunities and increase their income significantly. So, get certified and make a difference in the field.
The Network+ certification is ideal for entry-level networking positions. It pays anywhere from $8 to $25 per hour. It’s possible to pass the exam without hands-on experience. Make sure you understand the concepts behind correct answers. Not only will this help you pass the exam, but it will also provide you with the skills to understand how actual networking works in real-world scenarios. You will never regret earning a Network+ certification. And you’ll be earning over $30k more than the average IT network professional with one year of experience.
CompTIA Network+ is an industry standard for networking. It validates your skills for junior networking jobs like junior network administrator and network field technician. Achieving this certification will open up many doors for you. While the salary will vary from year to year, you can still start your career without a degree. If you’ve already completed an associate’s degree in a related field, the additional certification will help you build trust with employers and get a better salary.
Earning an advanced degree in network administration will help you stand out from the crowd and ensure your success. An associate’s degree can lead to entry-level network administrator positions in a couple of years, while a bachelor’s degree can help you gain valuable internship experience. An advanced degree may be required for higher-level roles. In addition, network certification will enable you to secure a senior-level job faster. And if you have a passion for computers and networks, earning a higher salary is definitely within your reach.
