Salary Woes for Cisco Pros
6/3/2002 -- Think you'll make six-figures as a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)? Think again. According to TCPMag.com's second annual salary survey, released last week, the average salary for CCIEs dropped 21 percent between 2000 and 2001, from $115,000 to $91,000.
The news isn't good for those with other Cisco titles, although the decline isn't quite as steep: Average salaries for those holding CCNAs are down 8 percent, CCNPs 7 percent and CCDAs 6 percent. The only Cisco title to see a rise was the mid-level CCDP, with a modest 1.5 percent increase:
| Title |
2001
Average Salary*
|
2000
Average Salary* |
Change
(+/-) |
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert
(CCIE) |
$91,000 |
$115,00 |
- 21% |
Cisco Certified Design Professional
(CCDP) |
$80,000 |
$79,000 |
+ 1/5% |
| Cisco Qualified Specialist -- Security |
$80,000 |
N/A** |
N/A** |
| Cisco Qualified Specialist -- IT Telephony |
$78,000 |
N/A** |
N/A** |
| Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) |
$74,000 |
$79,000 |
- 6% |
Cisco Certified Design Associate
(CCDA) |
$70,000 |
$74,000 |
- 5% |
Cisco Certified Network Associate
(CCNA) |
$64,000 |
$70,000 |
- 9% |
|
*Results rounded to the nearest thousand
** Certification debuted in 2001. |
Dian Schaffhauser, editorial director of TCPMag.com (as well as this site and MCPMag.com), said that the decline is a reflection of the overall economic climate. "Across the board we're seeing softer salaries," she said. "We're just now evaluating the results for our annual Microsoft Certified Professional salary survey, and we expect we'll see softer numbers there as well."
According to Schaffhauser, the growing popularity of certification is also having an impact. "Certification has become a requirement for the job in many cases," she continued. "I think what we're going to see is that experience is really what will make the difference when it comes to salary negotiation. Certification is less of a factor."
TCPMag.com will be posting information about the above averages and how they relate to the experience levels of those reporting them over the next few weeks. In the meantime, to see the initial results of the survey as well as what Cisco professionals expect for 2002, go to http://TCPMag.com/salarysurveys/. - B.N.
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There are 73  user Comments for “Salary Woes for Cisco Pros”
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Page 4 of 8
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| 6/6/02: Erick Lawler from state of delaware says: |
I have a second question. Is anyone that is having trouble finding a job looking at the armed forces for their on the job training? |
| 6/6/02: James from Detroit says: |
Did you guys even read Bob's comments. He is right on the money. Gals & guys I didn't even go to college for IT nor did I finish my degree. And yet I am able to succeed in the IT field. Why, you ask. Simple I love what I do. I like the fact that my work is integral to the success of the company that I am working for, and that I get paid to play with such cool stuff also. Get a grip guys I didn't command the salary that I got from last employer because I had some extra letters behind my name. I got that salary because I knew what I was doing and if I didn't know it my employer knew I could learn it. Don't think just because you have XYZ behind your name you can ask for the sky and get it. I've interviewed a "ton" of MCP's, MCSE', CCNA's and found out that if they were put in a scenario that wasn't covered in a book or class they were lost. Further more most of them didn't even know where to begin to look for the right answer (ever heard of technet fellas). Show me the money you say. Show me what you can do for me I say then you'll get some money. Also, don't just concentrate on IT certs take some business, management, & public speaking courses. You'd be surprised at how well they help even if you have a degree already. By the way, if anyone needs a good admin in MI or OH drop me a line |
| 6/6/02: Cisco Hopeful from Memphis says: |
Guys, it's got to be more money out there. I'm currently making 45k without any kind of degree or certification. I'm currently seeking my CCNA and I know that's got to give me more money. I think these stats are bogus and outdated. |
| 6/6/02: Thom says: |
Was this done on the Florida ballot? The CCIE number is too low, recount! |
| 6/6/02: John from Ilinois says: |
Hi guys, I have a BS in IT couldn't find a good job...thinking of doing a certification so that I could get an entry level job. I had MCSE, CCNA or Oracle in mind. since I don't have any experience which cert will be most helpful for me in getting an entry level job. (I wouldn't care if I have to start from scratch) |
| 6/6/02: LOST AND from CONFUSED, PENNSYLVANIA says: |
EVERYBODY, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP, WHAT IS THE BIG HYPE WITH THIS CERTIFICATION STUFF? IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE MORE DRAMA IN THIS THAN FINDING A JOB. SO CAN SOMEONE JUST ANSWER MY QUESTION, PLEASE I BEG YOU, "IS CERTIFICATIONS STILL WORTH IT?" BECKY NAGEL AN INPUT FROM YOU WOULD BE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT. CAN ANYONE ANSWER THESE QUESTION? |
| 6/7/02: Don from Washington DC says: |
3 ingredients to 80k up salary: First and foremost, Experience without it go get some first. 2. Couple of certs (CISSP, CCNA, CCNP)- these certs will definitely help you convince your would be employer that you're worth taking a look at. 3. BS / BA - This will at least tell them that you are a professional, willing to work and learn. |
| 6/7/02: J. Fleming from California says: |
People are panicking. Hold on, job losses and salary losses are normail in most recessions. All industries are getting the shaft, and technology grew so fast that most companies hired anybody that walked in hollering 'Buzz words" Those that are going to stay the course will make it. Besides, it is nice to get interviewd by people who actually have some experience versus kids. I am 31, but it was a joke working, or interviewing the last few years, and now the market is just weeding out the weak ones. Hang on, If tech is your chosen field, it will only get better with time. Lastly, save some dam money, it is retarded that people making over 80k a year are homeless because they tried to live like millionaires, please do not forget you are not Larry and Bill, so save your money. |
| 6/8/02: Alex m from Newark, NJ says: |
the economy is not tanking. dont listen to the media, look at the #'s. the job of HR is to keep what they should be paying in THEIR pockets. Cisco people who know their job know there are MASSIVE security holes in most enterprise setups. Remind folks of that reality and how you will help them keep from giving away their money and trade secrets. Before you interview, sweep their network so you can tell them how much info is out there. Most HR folks dont realize how exposed they are. If you are not getting interviews, track the venture capital firms and see who they are funding in your area. They will need to ramp up and will be hiring to meet their goals. Also look for merger situations in your areas, since they will need to have extra bodies to integrate their systems. Happy hunting and learn to say no when offered chump change, or if you must take the job, negotiate big vacations, or super flex time at YOUR request. Dont give away something without getting something in return, even out of the money options, or a good parking space or tech toys to keep, or barter trade credits, just be creative, and get back $3. for each $1 u giv up |
| 6/8/02: oldtimer from IT_Hell says: |
Ok, let me inject my 2 cents worth in here. Lets be realistic, shall we? No one is going to pay someone $64,000 to start off as a CCNA doing network administration (you would be lucky to get half that much in today's market). It appears that everyone wants to say "I'm certified, I know all sorts of stuff...". If the only thing you have is a cert or two, and no previous work experience, you will be starting (and staying) at a entry level position for 12 to 18 months at a minimum, learning additional skills and then moving up a little in the food chain. I've been working in IT for ALMOST 20 years, and have done everything from Mainframes to PC's (software, hardware, network, cabling, repair, etc). Now, how much should I be paid, whatever my employer thinks my skills are worth to him or her. If I feel i'm NOT making enough, I can always consult on the side (or find a job that pays more, and in this market, that's gonna be tough). It seems that everyone about 2.5 years ago went totally nutso and thought that the IT field was for everyone to work in (news flash, it's NOT). It requires critical thinking, analysis, logic, and problem solving skills in order to do well in this field (in addition to the ability to be a life long learner). If one is NOT willing to do these things, then you probably won't succeed in the IT field. If this post sounds discouraging, it's not meant to be, but the more skills you have under your belt (education, certs, OJT, etc), the more $$$ you can command in a job (just a fact). By the way, once you get on the job, be prepared to be stuck with the 'entry level' label until you have at least 3 years of full time work experience under your belt... |
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