In the dynamic world of IT, staying ahead isn't just about learning new skills—it's about investing in the right ones. Just as savvy investors track the stock market to decide where to allocate their funds, IT professionals need to know which certifications offer the best return on investment.
At CertBueno, we meticulously track the top 100 IT certifications, analysing key metrics such as salary data, job availability, and market trends. This real-time analysis helps you make informed decisions about your career path.
Today, we're focusing on Cisco's top certifications. Cisco has been a cornerstone in networking technologies, but with the rapid evolution towards cloud computing and software-defined networking, how relevant are their certifications today? Let's dive in.
Our Metrics Explained
We analyse certifications based on:
Permanent Salary (Annual): Average income for full-time positions.
Contract Salary (Daily Rate): Average rate for contract roles.
Live Number of Permanent Jobs: Current full-time job openings requiring the certification.
Live Number of Contract Jobs: Current contract opportunities.
Average Salary Increase: Year-over-year growth in earnings for certification holders.
Ranking:
Invest (Green): Strong outlook over the next 12 months.
Diversify (Amber): Valuable but should be complemented with other certifications.
Upgrade (Red): Declining relevance; consider upgrading or shifting focus.
Where We Source Our Data
Our live job data is aggregated from leading global job boards, industry reports, and market analyses, including platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and regional job portals. This ensures our insights reflect current market conditions across the UK, US, and beyond.
Cisco's Top 20 Certifications: An Updated Analysis
Note: Salaries are presented in both British Pounds (£) and US Dollars ($) for broader relevance.
1. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Permanent Salary: £40,000 / $55,000
Contract Salary: £300/day / $420/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 7,500+
Contract Jobs Available: 3,000+
Average Salary Increase: 2% YoY
Ranking: Diversify (Amber)
Insight: The CCNA remains a foundational certification for network engineers. However, with cloud technologies gaining prominence, it's wise to complement this with cloud certifications.
2. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise
Permanent Salary: £55,000 / $75,000
Contract Salary: £450/day / $630/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 5,000+
Contract Jobs Available: 2,000+
Average Salary Increase: 3% YoY
Ranking: Invest (Green)
Insight: The CCNP Enterprise is highly valued for advanced networking roles. As organizations maintain complex networks, demand remains robust.
3. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
Permanent Salary: £80,000 / $110,000
Contract Salary: £650/day / $900/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 2,000+
Contract Jobs Available: 800+
Average Salary Increase: 4% YoY
Ranking: Invest (Green)
Insight: The CCIE is one of the most prestigious networking certifications, indicating expert-level proficiency. It commands high salaries and is a solid investment for dedicated networking professionals.
4. Cisco Certified DevNet Associate
Permanent Salary: £45,000 / $62,000
Contract Salary: £350/day / $490/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 3,500+
Contract Jobs Available: 1,500+
Average Salary Increase: 5% YoY
Ranking: Invest (Green)
Insight: With the shift towards automation and software-defined networking, DevNet certifications are gaining significant traction. This certification is excellent for future-proofing your career.
5. Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)
Permanent Salary: £60,000 / $82,000
Contract Salary: £500/day / $700/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 3,000+
Contract Jobs Available: 1,200+
Average Salary Increase: 6% YoY
Ranking: Invest (Green)
Insight: As cybersecurity becomes increasingly critical, the CCNP Security certification is in high demand. Organisations are investing heavily in securing their networks, making this a strong career move.
6. Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate
Permanent Salary: £42,000 / $57,000
Contract Salary: £320/day / $450/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 2,800+
Contract Jobs Available: 1,000+
Average Salary Increase: 7% YoY
Ranking: Invest (Green)
Insight: Cybersecurity operations are at the forefront of IT priorities. This certification offers a gateway into a rapidly growing field with ample opportunities.
7. Cisco Certified DevNet Professional
Permanent Salary: £65,000 / $90,000
Contract Salary: £550/day / $770/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 2,200+
Contract Jobs Available: 900+
Average Salary Increase: 6% YoY
Ranking: Invest (Green)
Insight: Advanced DevNet certifications position you at the intersection of networking and software development, a niche that's increasingly in demand.
8. Cisco Certified Network Professional Collaboration (CCNP Collaboration)
Permanent Salary: £58,000 / $80,000
Contract Salary: £480/day / $670/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,500+
Contract Jobs Available: 600+
Average Salary Increase: 3% YoY
Ranking: Diversify (Amber)
Insight: With remote work on the rise, collaboration tools are essential. However, competition from other platforms suggests combining this cert with others enhances job prospects.
9. Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center (CCNP Data Center)
Permanent Salary: £62,000 / $86,000
Contract Salary: £520/day / $730/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,200+
Contract Jobs Available: 500+
Average Salary Increase: 2% YoY
Ranking: Diversify (Amber)
Insight: Traditional data center roles are evolving with cloud adoption. Pairing this certification with cloud-focused certs is advisable.
10. Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Advanced Infrastructure Implementation
Permanent Salary: £50,000 / $70,000
Contract Salary: £400/day / $560/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,000+
Contract Jobs Available: 400+
Average Salary Increase: 2% YoY
Ranking: Diversify (Amber)
Insight: Specialised skills are valuable, but demand is moderate. Combining this certification with knowledge of SD-WAN or cloud networking is beneficial.
11. Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCT)
Permanent Salary: £30,000 / $41,000
Contract Salary: £250/day / $350/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,200+
Contract Jobs Available: 450+
Average Salary Increase: 1% YoY
Ranking: Upgrade (Red)
Insight: The CCT is an entry-level certification with limited growth potential. Upgrading to CCNA or specialising in emerging technologies is recommended.
12. Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
Permanent Salary: £48,000 / $66,000
Contract Salary: £380/day / $530/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 900+
Contract Jobs Available: 350+
Average Salary Increase: 1% YoY
Ranking: Upgrade (Red)
Insight: With network design roles shifting towards cloud and software-defined solutions, this certification is less in demand. Upgrading to contemporary design certifications is recommended.
13. Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
Permanent Salary: £55,000 / $76,000
Contract Salary: £450/day / $630/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 850+
Contract Jobs Available: 320+
Average Salary Increase: 1% YoY
Ranking: Upgrade (Red)
Insight: Similar to CCDA, the CCDP's relevance is waning. Consider transitioning to enterprise infrastructure or cloud architecture certifications.
14. Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise SD-WAN Implementation
Permanent Salary: £60,000 / $82,000
Contract Salary: £500/day / $700/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,800+
Contract Jobs Available: 700+
Average Salary Increase: 5% YoY
Ranking: Invest (Green)
Insight: SD-WAN is gaining momentum as organisations seek flexible, cost-effective networking solutions. This certification is a strong investment.
15. Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider (CCNP Service Provider)
Permanent Salary: £57,000 / $78,000
Contract Salary: £470/day / $660/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 800+
Contract Jobs Available: 300+
Average Salary Increase: 2% YoY
Ranking: Diversify (Amber)
Insight: Demand is stable but not growing significantly. Augmenting this certification with cloud service certifications could enhance job prospects.
16. Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Core
Permanent Salary: £52,000 / $71,000
Contract Salary: £420/day / $590/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,400+
Contract Jobs Available: 550+
Average Salary Increase: 3% YoY
Ranking: Diversify (Amber)
Insight: A solid certification that benefits from being part of a broader skill set, particularly with enterprise-focused technologies.
17. Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) Routing and Switching
Permanent Salary: £35,000 / $48,000
Contract Salary: £280/day / $390/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,000+
Contract Jobs Available: 400+
Average Salary Increase: 1% YoY
Ranking: Upgrade (Red)
Insight: An entry-level certification with limited growth potential. Upgrading to CCNA or specialising in emerging technologies is recommended.
18. Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Wireless Implementation
Permanent Salary: £48,000 / $66,000
Contract Salary: £380/day / $530/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,200+
Contract Jobs Available: 450+
Average Salary Increase: 3% YoY
Ranking: Diversify (Amber)
Insight: Wireless networking remains important. Combining this certification with security or cloud networking certifications can enhance career opportunities.
19. Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center (CCNP Data Center) – Advanced
Permanent Salary: £65,000 / $90,000
Contract Salary: £550/day / $770/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 800+
Contract Jobs Available: 300+
Average Salary Increase: 2% YoY
Ranking: Diversify (Amber)
Insight: Advanced data center skills are valuable but face competition from cloud platforms. Diversifying with cloud certifications is advisable.
20. Cisco Certified Specialist – Security Core
Permanent Salary: £62,000 / $86,000
Contract Salary: £520/day / $730/day
Permanent Jobs Available: 1,600+
Contract Jobs Available: 600+
Average Salary Increase: 5% YoY
Ranking: Invest (Green)
Insight: Security continues to be a top priority for organisations. This certification is gaining traction and is a strong investment.
Key Takeaways
Invest (Green): Certifications in security, DevNet (network automation), and SD-WAN are on the rise. They're aligned with industry trends towards automation, security, and flexible networking solutions.
Diversify (Amber): Traditional networking certifications are still valuable but should be enhanced with cloud, automation, or security certifications to stay competitive.
Upgrade (Red): Certifications focused on outdated technologies or roles that are being phased out need to be upgraded. The industry is shifting, and so should your focus.
Why Some Cisco Certifications May Be Losing Relevance
Cloud Migration: Organisations are moving infrastructure to cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, reducing the need for traditional networking roles centered on physical hardware.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN): SDN is changing how networks are designed and managed, emphasising the need for software skills alongside networking expertise.
Automation and DevOps: There's a growing demand for professionals who can integrate networking with automation tools and practices.
Emerging Technologies: Technologies such as AI, machine learning, and IoT are influencing network requirements, necessitating new skill sets.
Our Advice for Cisco Certification Holders
Stay Current: Regularly update your certifications to align with the latest technologies and industry demands.
Expand Your Skill Set: Consider adding cloud certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure), security certifications (e.g., CISSP, CompTIA Security+), or automation skills to your portfolio.
Use Our Live Tracking: Leverage CertBueno's tools to monitor the market value of certifications in real-time.
Final Thoughts
In the fast paced IT industry, knowledge is power—and so is adaptability. By staying informed about which certifications are in demand, you can strategically plan your career path and maximise your earning potential.
At CertBueno, we're committed to providing you with the data and insights you need to make informed decisions. Whether you're considering your first certification or looking to upgrade your skills, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Remember, your career is an investment. Invest wisely.
Warm regards,
CertBueno
Empowering you with the knowledge to navigate your career confidently.