The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an entry-level certificate aimed at those entering the IT networking field. Obtaining the CCNA is a great way to jump start an IT career. The certificate will open the door to higher income, more job security, and the ability to work at a rewarding position.
As you will see below, the salary boost from obtaining a CCNA is substantial. CCNA salary levels vary by region, experience, and degree. But even those who live outside of a tech-hub, with little experience and no degree are able to start a networking career after obtaining their CCNA.
Average CCNA Salaries
According to indeed.com the average salary for the Cisco CCNA in the US is between $78,000 and $82,000. Using glassdoor.com one can see the average salary for positions that generally require at least the level of knowledge that the CCNA provides. These range from:
Network Engineer – Google – $107,534
Network Consulting Engineer – Cisco Systems – $106,296
Network and Computer Systems Administrator – Patni Computer Systems – $57,329
Network Engineer – Mahindra Satyam – $64,656
Network Administrator – Oracle – $63,169
CCNA salary by region
Country-wide averages are one thing, but regional salaries are more accurate. The cost of living varies by region, as does a salary range. The following graph shows CCNA salary results from indeed.com organized by US states. As you can see the top three states are New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Having a CCNA will pay off big time in those areas. Hawaii, Idaho and Nebraska come in at the bottom of the list.
Breaking down the regional CCNA salary data even more we can look at income by city. Here are some of the largest cities in the USA and how much CCNA job listings pay on average.
Clearly silicon valley is at the top of the list with both San Jose and San Francisco being in the top three. Phoenix is at the bottom of this list, where individuals make less than $70,000 a year on average.
Entry Level CCNA Salary
For many, the desire to obtain a Cisco certificate has to do with entering the IT field. The technology field is a unique place because many times a degree is not required. Knowledge of a technology is what employers look for, and vendor certificates are the best way to prove this knowledge. Entry level jobs provide the hands on experience needed to complement a certificate and offer advancement opportunities.
The CCNA is clearly a certificate worth having. It is one of the best steps to take to gain a rewarding and high-paying job. One of the first things to do when preparing for the CCNA is to learn how to subnet and the CCNA commands.
Check out our list of the best CCNA study guides to help you pass the exam.
You can also read our guide to the best networking certifications and a comparison of the JNCIA vs CCNA.
Download our Subnet Cheat Sheet for all the essential information you need to quickly perform subnet calculations in your head.
If you want to learn more about networking and get the Cisco CCNA certification, we highly recommend the Cisco CCNA Gold Bootcamp as your CCNA training course. The CCNA is by far the most in-demand networking certification by employers, and the Gold Bootcamp is the highest rated Cisco course online. It has an average rating of 4.8 from over 30,000 public reviews:
