CCNP Enterprise Career Path: What Jobs Can You Get?

Quick Answer: The CCNP Enterprise certification will unlock opportunities for Network Engineers, Network Administrators, and Systems Engineers. This certification shows you know how to manage complex enterprise networks. 

Are you looking to elevate your IT networking career with a globally-recognized certification? Cisco’s CCNP Enterprise certification (350-401 ENCOR) is a highly in-demand IT certification that demonstrates mastery in advanced networking solutions.  

This certification validates your knowledge, skill, and expertise in implementing complex enterprise networking solutions in global organizations. Hence, CCNP can be your stepping stone to becoming a valuable asset in this challenging industry and landing dream jobs.   

This post will help you understand how CCNP Enterprise certification positions you for lucrative job opportunities worldwide. Also, we’ll delve into the best strategies to help you prepare for the 350-401 ENCOR exam. 

Let’s dive in.

What is the CCNP Enterprise Certification?

Cisco’s CCNP Enterprise certification is a professional-level certification intended for IT/networking professionals who want to validate their advanced knowledge and skills in networking in an enterprise environment. To obtain this certification, you will need to pass two exams.

1. Core Exam (ENCOR 350-401): This exam by Cisco covers the scope of core enterprise technologies, with dual-stack architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation.

2. Concentration Exam: Following the core exam, you will take a concentration exam on topics aligned with your career goals. Some topics to consider are enterprise advanced infrastructure, wireless, or automation.

These exams allow professionals to show that they can work on the full spectrum between implementing and troubleshooting networking items in a host of enterprise setups. 

Why Pursue a CCNP Enterprise Certification?

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise remains one of the most sought-after and renowned certifications for networking professionals worldwide. Some advantages of getting CCNP Enterprise certification include:

• Globally Recognized Credential: Cisco certifications are recognized around the world, which means that your employers will know you need extensive knowledge to advance your networking.

• Ensures Strong Foundation in the Networking Domain: This qualification credential is an indispensable tool for professionals and aspiring network engineers to design powerful Cisco networks and administer them seamlessly.

• Specialization: There are many professionals in the market, and a CCNP Enterprise cert demonstrates your specialized expertise in building Cisco Network deployments, which separates you from the rest in the competitive job market.

Long story short, earning your CCNP Enterprise certification can position you as a networking expert in industries ranging from healthcare and education to finance. The CCNP enterprise credential can lead to:

• Hands-on experience with the latest networking technologies

• A stronger, more competitive resume

• Greater confidence in your technical abilities

• Access to advanced job opportunities

• Increased earning potential

What Career Opportunities Exist for CCNP Enterprise Holders?

Earning your CCNP Enterprise certification unlocks several career opportunities—like becoming a network engineer, systems engineer, or network administrator. Let's take a closer look at the roles you can pursue and how this certification helps. 

Network Engineer

Network engineers usually start as network support engineers. Becoming a network engineer is a powerful choice if you are looking for a hands-on, high-impact role. Working with routers, switches, and even firewalls from Cisco (and from other vendors), you’ll design, implement, and optimize networks. 

• Key Skills and Tools: Network engineers utilize tools such as Cisco routers and switches. Work with VLANs, firewalls, and protocols such as OSPF.  

• Industry Demand: Highly demanded by enterprise IT, finance, and healthcare industries worldwide. 

• Average Salary: $109,040 a year (Zip Recruiter, 2025)

• Top Recruiters: Amazon, Microsoft, AT&T, Cisco, Accenture.

Systems Engineer

Systems engineers play a crucial role in running IT infrastructures smoothly. They often collaborate with other IT professionals, such as network administrators, to handle server operations and use technical skills to ensure seamless implementation of virtualization. As a CCNP, you already have expertise in managing complex hybrid networks.

• Key Skills and Tools: VMware, Cisco UCS, Windows/Linux servers, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure).

• Industry Demand: Growing—especially in cloud and cybersecurity-driven enterprises.

• Average Salary:   $107k / year (PayScale, 2025)

• Who’s Hiring? Google, IBM, Lockheed Martin, and government agencies. 

Network Administrator

CCNP-certified individuals are often engaged in indispensable IT roles such as network administrators.  With this experience, they can handle day-to-day network operations, monitor server performance, troubleshoot devices, and guarantee compliance with security. A CCNP puts you in a position to work on more strategic responsibilities and lead teams.

• Key Skills and Tools: Cisco DNA Center, SolarWinds, SNMP monitoring, Wireshark.

• Industry Demand: Stable—every industry needs skilled network admins. 

• Average Salary:   $81,749 per year (ZipRecruiter, 2025) 

• Who’s Hiring? Dell, Verizon, HP, and mid-size enterprises. 

Network Analyst

If you love solving complex technical problems, the network analyst role is for you! You can dive into the data to ensure performance optimization with data-driven analysis and decision-making. You can boost business operations and detect bottlenecks to achieve corporate objectives. Hence, if you enjoy analyzing trends, working with monitoring tools, and are passionate about seamless connectivity, CCNP opens doors for you to take a network analyst role.

• Key Skills and Tools: Cisco Prime, NetFlow, packet analysis tools. 

• Industry Demand: Growing, especially in large enterprises and service providers. 

• Average Salary: $40 per hour (ZipRecruiter, 2025)

• Who’s Hiring? Cisco, Comcast, and large-scale ISPs

IT Infrastructure Manager

Want to move into leadership or management roles? IT infrastructure managers help organizations develop network strategies, plan and upgrade infrastructure, and guide executive decisions related to IT. CCNP holders often hold this role after progressing from a network engineer role into a supervisory domain.

• Skills and Tools: ITIL frameworks, Cisco ACI, cloud networking, and SD-WAN are the key skills and tools you'll use. 

• Industry Demand: Very high as digital transformation is forcing IT leaders to the front of the pack and transform operations. 

• Average Salary:  $67 per hour (ZipRecruiter, 2025) 

• Top Recruiters: Fortune 500s, government agencies, and financial institutions.

Specialized Roles and Niche Opportunities

The CCNP qualification can help you take on specialized roles in Fortune 500 or medium-to-large organizations.

Wireless Network Engineer

If you have gained experience as an IT support assistant, CCNP helps you rise and shine as a wireless network engineer. Modern businesses significantly rely on wireless networks for seamless connectivity. This surge has driven demand for Wireless Network Engineers to new heights.

Due to the growing trend of the Internet of Things (IoT), global high-tech companies also hire them. They are responsible for the design, security, and troubleshooting of wireless networks. 

• Key Skills and Tools Used: Cisco Meraki, Ekahau, RF spectrum analysis, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6.)

• Industry Demand: On the Rise (they are hiring left and right for retail, healthcare, and logistics)

• Average Salary: $62.26 an hour (ZipRecruiter, 2025)

• Who Can Hire You: Cisco, Aruba Networks, and several healthcare and financial services organizations. 

Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity specialists are in huge demand due to rising online threats and security breaches. If you are CCNP certified, you can focus on the role of a network security specialist and manage firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and threat responses.

• Key Skills and Tools: Cisco ISE, ASA, Firepower, Zero Trust frameworks

• Demand: Never-ending and extensive—all data-intensive companies need IT professionals with cybersecurity skills.

• Average Salary:  $161K-$228K per year (ZipRecruiter, 2025)  

• Companies Hiring: Global banks, government organizations (with sensitive data), tech firms, and cybersecurity companies.

Network Automation Engineer (NAE)

Since networking is shifting towards automation, CCNP-certified engineers with coding skills (Python, Ansible) are in huge demand. This role focuses on automating network deployment, reducing manual tasks, and improving efficiency. You can move up the company ladder and progress into this role after working as a network engineer or a DevOps Engineer.  

• Key Skills and Tools: Cisco DNA Center, Python, Ansible, SDN (Software-Defined Networking.)

• Industry Demand: Exploding for NAEs—cloud, telecom, and enterprise IT are leading the charge. 

• Average Salary: $125,599 per year (Glassdoor, 2025)

• Top Hiring Organizations: Google Cloud, AWS, and SDN startups.

Industries That Value CCNP Enterprise Certification

CCNP professionals strive to improve network operations in small and medium (SMEs) to large corporations. However, there are several industries where you can touch the sky with CCNP Enterprise credentials. 

• Telecommunications: You can turn networks into a well-oiled machine and oversee complex networks in the telecom sector to ensure uninterrupted communication services.

• Healthcare: Since a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, in the healthcare sector, you can maintain and secure a network chain to optimize all network components. This means securing confidential patient data and medical applications in hospitals and clinics worldwide. 

• Startup Organizations: In thousands of start-ups, you can roll out the red carpet and implement innovative network solutions. For instance, in a newly built software house, you can plan and implement innovative Cisco networking solutions to help employees expand their capabilities and boost creativity.

• Government Agencies: You can be in the driver’s seat in a government organization and implement and secure networks efficiently. This will help officials deliver seamless public services.

Career Growth and Enhancement 

According to PayScale, the largest online job board, CCNP certification holders can earn different salaries depending on various elements such as geography, work experience, technical expertise, and competency level. 

However, the average annual pay for a CCNP Enterprise-certified professional ranges from $107,000 to $156,000. 

For example, in the United States, Cisco networking engineers can earn nearly $107,000 per annum. Data from payscale.com also shows that a senior network engineer can earn $74,000 to $156,000 per year, depending on their competency and skill level.  

Moreover, as you grow stronger with years of experience and work in large-scale networks, you can leverage your CCNP Enterprise certification to take a promotion or raise and play leadership roles.

How to Prepare for the CCNP Enterprise Certification

The CCNP Enterprise certification journey is a journey that will require dedication and strategic preparations to begin.

• Use Cisco Resources: You can learn using several resources, such as the official Cisco tutorials. You can also take online courses from Cisco or other platforms such as CBT Nuggets and enhance your expertise and knowledge to earn big time.

• Lab Exercises: Participate in lab exercises to practice hands-on with networking equipment and scenarios.

• Utilizing Resources from Credible Training Provider:  Aiming to maximize the benefit of your CCNP certification preparation journey? A comprehensive learning strategy is to use resources from high-quality or reliable online training providers. First, it helps you learn according to your style. Also, when it comes to breaking complex topics into manageable lessons, training courses can serve as game changers. These resources help you to absorb the knowledge quickly.

Final Thoughts

CCNP certification is suitable for IT experts who have one year of professional experience in computer networks. The CCNP certification is designed for experts seeking to maintain, implement, and plan specific training programs for Cisco’s wide range of high-end network solution products. This certification covers a broad range of advanced networking concepts and skills to help you thrive in the IT industry.  

Ready to advance your networking career with the CCNP Enterprise certification? Start training with CBT Nuggets courses CCNP Enterprise Core Training, which include hands-on lab exercises and expert study tips. Start learning today!