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120 minutes can take you from ‘generic help desk employee’ to an actual network technician!
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the Cisco certification and CCNA jobs:
What to expect from the CCNA exam and how to prepare for it
What are your career opportunities after you get CCNA-certified
The best CCNA jobs to apply for in 2020
The CCNA median salary and the best places in the country for CCNA careers
… and a lot more!
CCNA Networking Jobs In a Nutshell
First things first, let’s talk about the CCNA exam:
N.B. Cisco recently updated its certification program. Some of the certifications were removed, while new ones were added. When you are researching about the exam, make sure the sources you are using are updated to the new CCNA certification (and yes, this article is updated but let us know if you find any information that is not included here).
All About the Cisco Certificates
The (new) CCNA program certifies your experience in entry-level networking principles. It is an associate-level IT cert that proves you have the foundation for a tech career. The exam covers topics networking, IP connectivity and services, security, as well as automation and programmability.
There are no CCNA certification prerequisites. It’s a single 90-minute exam, though it does cover a vast range of topics. Cisco recommends around a year of experience, as well as a solid understanding of networking fundamentals and IP.
When you pass the CCNA exam, you become a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Cisco also offers higher-level certifications like the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). These can open doors to senior networking positions such as IT director or networking manager. These also come with a much bigger paycheck at the end of the month.
And finally, the most common question people ask:
How much does the CCNA exam cost?
In the US, taking the 200-301 CCNA exam costs $300 per try. The price varies by country and currency. Find the number for you on the exam provider website.
What Jobs Can You Get With a CCNA?
According to PayScale, the most common CCNA networking jobs include network engineer, network administrator, and systems administrator. The average CCNA salary (across all different position titles) is $77,000 per year.
As a network administrator, you maintain the network infrastructure of a company, making sure everything runs smoothly. This includes configuring and maintaining network equipment (routers, switches, firewalls). Systems administrators, on the other hand, are concerned with computer systems support (for both software and hardware).
The average base salary for a network administrator is $59,132 per year. If you think that might be your calling, you can learn more about network administrator jobs here!
In contrast, systems administrators make an average of $61,935 per year.
For both positions, you need the CCNA certificate, even though it is more useful for network administrators and engineers.
Network engineers are responsible for the network’s overall life cycle. They are not concerned with day-to-day operation and maintenance. Instead, they’re the ones to suggest and design new network solutions and oversee their implementation.
Network engineers make, on average, $73,208 per year as base pay (before additional bonuses, profit sharing, etc.)
The CCNA exam also comes in handy for other IT-related positions. For instance, it can give you a boost when applying to cloud architect jobs. It’s one more way you can make your application stand out (especially if you are a newbie and you don’t have any experience).
Getting an Entry-Level CCNA Job: Step by Step
But first let’s get one question clear:
Why should I get a Cisco certification?
Taking the CCNA exam is a great launching pad for your IT career. Unlike other entry-level certifications, this one is widely recognized in the industry. It will help you move away from generic troubleshooting and help desk jobs and toward an actual networking role.
Most of the CCNA entry-level jobs deal with network administration in some way. This means you won’t directly be designing networks, but you will be responsible for keeping them stable and working smoothly.
Before you apply, obviously, you have to pass the exam. Though Cisco mentions that most professionals that take it have at least a year of experience, you could just as easily pass the test with minimal experience. Here is how:
Do the CCNA certification training. Offered by Cisco, this training gives you a solid foundation of knowledge on all the topics that come up in the exam. What is more, now that they’ve updated their certification program, the training also gives you a badge and credits to use toward recertification.
Read the Cisco Press books. The latest editions of these books are your best source of information and really the only ‘textbook’ you need to prep for the exam.
Do practice tests religiously. The new CCNA certification takes 120 minutes but it includes additional topics (that the 90-minute exam did not). Do as many online practice tests as you can. It will help you get used to the format, as well as identify your weak areas and bone up on your knowledge there.
It’s $300 to take the test, and if you prepare well, there is no need to think about a retake. The good news? Even if you don’t make it on your first try, you can sit for the exam again (no waiting period!)
Are There Jobs for a CCNA Certified Fresher?
So you have the certificate but not much experience. What are your career options?
There are plenty of things you can do, actually. The CCNA jobs you can get with no experience include second-line technical support, network administration, or trainee network technician/engineer.
Network administration is usually where people get started. Know that at first, you might be doing more generic help desk/troubleshooting work. The important thing is you are in the room. Use any experience you can get to learn more (and boost your CV, obviously).
The CCNA in itself is a way to boost your chances of getting hired when you have limited experience. However, it’s important to flaunt what you already have when you apply for CCNA job openings. Mention any volunteering work that is tech-related, talk about personal or school-related projects you had worked on, talk about your internships.
Never had an internship? Get one for the summer, even if it’s just for a few weeks. The contacts you will make and the things you will learn make it all invaluable.
Finally, the entry-level CCNA salary is usually lower than average. For instance, the average total compensation for junior network administrators is $49,334 per year. The national median pay for the same position is significantly higher – $59,132 before bonuses and profit-sharing!
How can you get paid more? Get some of the skills that statistically lead to higher pay – VMware ESX, Microsoft Exchange, and virtualization techniques!
CCNA Job Titles: Comprehensive Description
Disclaimer: This is a general job description for these positions. Every employer will have different criteria for hiring.
There are multiple CCNA career opportunities to consider after getting the certification. Here is what each of them implies – including a CCNA job description for each of them.
Network Engineer Vs Network Administrator Jobs Description
Both network administrators and network engineers work so that enterprise-wide networks can run smoothly and efficiently. But what is the difference?
Network administrators do the day-to-day operations and monitoring of a network. This includes troubleshooting any issues that come up, performing installations and upgrades, as well as recommending and scheduling network repairs. Network admin positions are typical CCNA routing and switching jobs – they support routers, switches, and servers without usually getting involved in network design.
Network engineers usually have a broader scope of work, as well as more experience and more advanced education. Sure, they are perfectly capable of maintaining a network. They can, however, do much more than that.
Network engineers build high quality networks. Network administrators maintain them.
What About Systems Administrators?
As the title suggests, systems administrators deal with computer systems (not necessarily networks).
It is a more generic job name because it does include networking. In larger enterprises, sysadmin positions are completely separate from network engineer jobs. In smaller companies, however, the roles can overlap.
Normally, systems administrators support computer software and hardware. They still need a solid understanding of networking principles, but they don’t usually resolve network-related issues. Sysadmins do on-going monitoring, maintenance and backup operations for enterprise-level computer systems, ensuring optimal performance and maximum uptime.
CCNA Salary Range
In the US, the average base salary for people with a Cisco associate-level certification is $77,000 per year or around $24.48 per hour. Of course, your paycheck will depend on the position you hold, the experience you have, what kind of company you work at, etc.
For the three main CCNA jobs, the average base pay is respectively:
For Network Engineer positions, $73,208 per year or $29.09 per hour.
For Network Administrators, $59,132 per year or $22.90 per hour.
For Systems Administrators, $61,935 per year or $23.62 per hour.
This is just the information about base pay. You can see a dramatic difference when you add in bonuses and other additional cash compensation. For instance, systems administrators receive on average:
$2,455 as a bonus.
$2,500 as commissions.
$1,994 in profit sharing.
Benefits matter, too. Luckily, the vast majority of CCNA jobs come with extensive benefits – not just medical, but also dental and vision insurance.
Unsurprisingly, more senior positions come with an even better salary. According to the data for Senior Network Engineer (which is also among the top CCNA-related positions on PayScale), the average salary there is $99,997 per year. Again, before additional cash compensation!
These senior engineers rarely (if ever) work in a client-facing position. Instead, they spend their days coming up with ways to resolve network issues, improve functionality, or expand the network.
IT Managers and IT Directors are also commonly CCNA-certified. They make an average of $87,806 and $119,074 per year, respectively. To provide technical leadership you need a solid fundamental of IT knowledge yourself, which is why most employers require the CCNA (at least) for these employees.
Top Locations for CCNA Jobs
CCNA average salaries differ by location. So which are the best places to be working as one?
Here are the cities with the highest salaries for the major CCNA job roles:
Network engineers get paid the highest salary in Washington DC (21% over the average).
Network administrators in New York City get the biggest paychecks in the nation among their colleagues (14% over the average)
Systems administrators also get paid the most in NYC, with a base salary 16% over the American average.
While costs of living in New York explain the pay difference, Washington doesn’t score too far behind. The CCNA jobs in Washington DC consistently pay above the national average:
For network engineers, paychecks in Washington are 21% above the US median salary.
Systems administrators make 13% more than the average American in the field.
Texas is another high-paying location for these types of occupations. CCNA jobs in Dallas come with an 8% larger paycheck for network administrators and 6% for network engineers.
Of course, California is up there among the high-paying states. With so much of the tech industry concentrated there, it really is no surprise that LA-based network administrators get 6% more than the national average. This is the second-best location for these professionals (after NYC).
What strikes as more surprising is that California is not a top-paying location for any of the other CCNA positions (network engineer or systems administrator). Considering it’s also one of the more expensive states to live in, and one with high taxes, don’t be too quick to jump on the Silicon Valley bandwagon.
Besides, location-independent positions are always an option.
Freelance CCNA Jobs
Being free from the corporate chains, working wherever and whenever you want, choosing your own clients, schedules, and projects… The freelance life is a dream for many tech professionals.
But is it an option for networking specialists (with or without the CCNA certification)?
First, the good news. Yes, remote CCNA jobs exist. Some of them can be generic help desk positions. You don’t actually need much tech knowledge for those, but the certification does help you stand out. Still, there are also remote jobs where a CCNA certificate is actually useful.
One surprising opportunity is writing. You can easily convert it into your side hustle (or full-time hustle from a beach in Thailand), since pro technical writing is well-paid and gigs are fairly easy to get. It’s one of the most flexible CCNA jobs from home.
Similarly, you could try teaching. Become a Cybrary instructor, sell your courses on Udemy, or tutor people privately, your call. There are a lot of students looking to learn information technology skills. If you’re good at explaining things, this is a great option for you.
Of course, consider the disadvantages of a freelance lifestyle, too. Self-discipline is essential, and if you struggle with organization, this is probably not the position for you. Most jobs with a CCNA requirement are 9-to-5 positions where you spend a lot of time in the office.
Even if you’re not one for long chats by the water dispenser, for most employees this is how they are most productive.
Think you still have what it takes to go freelance? Check out our directory for remote CCNA opportunities. Alternatively, you can also google ‘CCNA jobs near me’.
What Skills Are Measured With The CCNA Certification?
Network fundamentals (20% of the exam)
Network access (20% of the exam)
IP connectivity (25% of the exam)
IP services (10% of the exam)
Security fundamentals (15% of the exam)
Automation and programmability (10% of the exam)
To achieve the certification, you have to pass the 200-301 CCNA exam. There are no formal CCNA certification prerequisites, so you can jump straight into preparation.
It’s immediately noticeable that IP connectivity is the component with the most weight on your final grade. However, don’t underestimate the last two.
Security, automation, and programmability are some of the most ‘in-trend’ skills to have. And no, it’s not just because of the trend, this is what employers look for now (especially as data security concerns rise by the minute).
How to Take the Cisco Exam on the First Try
You know the general areas of expertise. But how do you prepare for the actual exam? There are several options:
The Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 is Cisco’s official CCNA training program. You can either do it online, as self-study or in a classroom-based course. Either way, you will get the networking, security, and automation knowledge to pass the exam. Honestly, just following Cisco’s class and doing practice tests is enough to get it on the first try.
You pay for the course with Cisco learning credits, which are $100 each and are sold in packages of 1, 10, 100, 500, and 1500. These can also be used toward the other resources Cisco has on their website to help you prepare.
The Cisco Press books are an alternative, if you prefer to learn from a physical textbook. Their latest edition is always the best one to have, especially since the new CCNA exams just came out.
Practicing against the clock is one of the best things you can do to prepare for the CCNA exam. Even if you know the material perfectly, not doing practice tests will come back to bite you. For at least a month before you sit for the CCNA, take some time every day to take practice exams. Not only will you be better prepared for the format, but you’d also be able to pinpoint where exactly you need to revise some more!
Non-Technical Skills for CCNA Careers
While the exam certifies your hard skills, it takes more than knowing about IP to be good at your network job… and to fit in happily within the team.
Unless you are working completely remote CCNA jobs, you will have to deal with people. Around 30-40% of network administration work is either client-facing or working with non-tech colleagues. You will have to communicate with people who are not IT pros on a daily basis. And you’ll be expected to recognize and resolve the issues they are having.
Speaking of resolving issues, active listening and knowing how to explain yourself are just one side of that. You also need an analytical approach and a problem-solving mentality (as opposed to ‘shrug and ask if they’ve tried restarting the computer’ mentality). Attention to detail is vital for all networking professionals, but when it comes to the pathways of a company’s crucial network, I could not overstate its importance.
Network engineers, on the other hand, might not get their hands dirty every day but they do need business acumen. Since the networking engineer is responsible for designing a safe and efficient network, they are the point of contact for key vendors, as well as management.
Networking solutions are not an end in and of themselves. They should solve real business issues – taking money, time, and ease-of-use into account. This is where your soft skills will come in very handy!
What Is CCNA: A Recap
The Cisco CCNA exam is one of the most widely recognized IT certs in the industry. This associate-level credential proves that you have the fundamental networking skills to set up and maintain a small to medium-sized network.
Regardless of the job title, the average CCNA jobs salary for the country is $77,000 and you have ample CCNA career opportunities. From network engineering to system administration and even IT management, the CCNA is one of the most versatile certifications you can get as an entry-level professional.
Of course, to gain access to more senior networking positions you should consider the advanced certifications by Cisco, but the CCNA is a fantastic foundation.
Best of all, there are no prerequisites to sit for the exam. Granted, it costs $300 for every attempt, but with the right resources (and a lot of practice exams), passing on the first try is perfectly possible.
So what are you waiting for?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Jobs Can a CCNA Get?
This Cisco career certification opens a lot of doors for you, and it’s a great first step toward a career in IT. Since the exam tests networking fundamentals knowledge, you will be prepared for most networking-related positions.
Apart from network engineer and network administrator, the CCNA is also great for systems administrators. While they don’t always deal with networks (focusing on computer software and hardware problems instead), sysadmins need a solid networking foundation and this is exactly what the CCNA certified.
Are CCNA Jobs in Demand?
CCNA jobs include systems administrator, network administrator, and network engineer. The certificate is also useful for help desk professionals who want to move up to tier two or tier three support.
CCNA is a widely recognized and respected credential in the industry. Not only are the positions it prepares you for in-demand, but it also boosts your CV and makes you a desirable candidate for whichever position you apply for.
How Much Do CCNA Jobs Pay?
Depending on your experience, position, and even geographical location, the salary will vary. We just saw the CCNA salary average for the most common job titles.
And this is just the base pay! Any bonuses or additional cash compensation goes on top, meaning that CCNA experts can easily make 6-figures.
For Network Engineer positions, $73,208 per year or $29.09 per hour.
For Network Administrators, $59,132 per year or $22.90 per hour.
For Systems Administrators, $61,935 per year or $23.62 per hour.
Is CCNA Hard for Beginners?
The Cisco CCNA exam is designed for entry-level professionals. Taking your time to prepare for the exam (and considering an official training course) will help you pass it from the first time. Responding to questions that cover so much material in just 120 minutes can be nerve-wracking, but keep your eyes on the prize. The cert will help you get lucrative and exciting CCNA jobs very soon!
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