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Cisco Jobs in the UK | CCNA, CCNP Network Engineering Careers & Salaries
11/05/2026
Cisco Jobs in the UK: Network Engineering Careers, Certifications & Salary Guide
Introduction
Cisco jobs form the core of the UK network engineering job market. Cisco remains the dominant vendor for enterprise networking infrastructure — routers, switches, firewalls, wireless, and increasingly SD-WAN and cloud networking — which means that Cisco-certified professionals are in consistent demand across every sector of the economy. From 1st and 2nd line network support to senior network architects designing global WAN infrastructure, the Cisco career ladder provides a structured and well-remunerated progression pathway.
Authority in Cisco-focused network engineering flows from certification level and hands-on experience. A CCNP-certified engineer with five years of enterprise routing and switching experience, who can troubleshoot BGP routing anomalies or design a secure campus wireless architecture, carries significant influence within infrastructure and network operations teams.
The Cisco Certification Pathway
The Cisco certification framework starts at the Associate level with CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), which covers networking fundamentals, IP services, routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP), VLANs, and basic security concepts. CCNA is widely regarded as the gold standard entry qualification for network engineering roles and frequently appears as a minimum requirement in UK job descriptions.
Above CCNA sits CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional), which offers specialist tracks including Enterprise (routing and switching), Security, Data Centre, and Service Provider. CCNP candidates must pass a core exam plus one concentration exam. The highest level — CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) — is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and respected technical certifications in the world. CCIE-certified engineers command substantial salary premiums.
Typical Roles and Responsibilities
Network Support Engineers at 1st and 2nd line handle day-to-day operational tasks: monitoring network health, resolving connectivity incidents, performing routine maintenance, and managing change requests. Network Engineers at 3rd line and above take responsibility for complex configuration, routing optimisation, capacity planning, and vendor management. Network Architects design and document end-to-end network solutions, working with security teams to integrate firewall and segmentation policies.
In recent years, the emergence of SD-WAN (Cisco Viptela and Meraki) and cloud networking (Cisco hybrid cloud integrations) has expanded the scope of Cisco engineering roles significantly. Engineers who combine traditional routing and switching expertise with cloud networking and automation skills (Python, Ansible, Cisco DNA Centre) are particularly sought after.
Salary Guide
CCNA-level network engineers typically earn £30,000 to £45,000 in the UK. CCNP-certified engineers with three to five years of experience earn £45,000 to £65,000. Senior network engineers and architects with CCNP or CCIE credentials earn £65,000 to £90,000. Contract network engineers earn £350 to £600 per day, with clearance-required positions at the top of the range. SC and DV-cleared network engineers working in defence and government are among the most highly compensated network professionals in the UK.
Related Career Paths
Network engineering is closely related to cyber security jobs — many security operations and network security roles require Cisco platform knowledge, particularly around Cisco ASA and Firepower firewall management. Broader IT engineering jobs https://www.itjobboard.co.uk/categories/355/engineering-jobs/
IT management jobs https://www.itjobboard.co.uk/categories/373/management-jobs/ for Network Manager and Head of Infrastructure opportunities.
