As cyber attacks increase in frequency and scandals involving governments hacking into private computers become more commonplace, it's no wonder that one of the most promising fields in the current IT sector would be cyber security. In fact, recent research has indicated that cyber security has grown by more than one hundred percent in the last year. Clearly, anyone seeking a job in the information technology area would do well to start at the first line of defense against hackers.
Professionals who hold the Cisco CCNP certification today qualify for senior networking roles that pay a national average of roughly $109,000, with specialized tracks like CCNP Security commanding averages above $130,000. The CCNP has evolved considerably since its original ROUTE, SWITCH, and TSHOOT exam structure, and understanding today's certification format, career paths, and realistic salary expectations matters for any networking professional deciding whether to pursue this credential. Below is a current breakdown of the most common CCNP-qualified jobs, what they pay in 2026, and the questions most salary guides fail to address.[ziprecruiter][examcert]
Average Salaries of the Most Common Entry-Level IT Jobs
CISSP-certified professionals qualify for some of the highest-paying and most senior roles in cybersecurity, spanning security architecture, risk management, and executive leadership positions that command median salaries between $127,000 and $150,000 in North America. Earning the Certified Information Systems Security Professional credential from ISC2 signals to employers that you've combined at least five years of hands-on security experience with a rigorous exam covering eight core domains, and that combination opens doors across nearly every industry that handles sensitive data. Understanding which roles CISSP holders actually land — and what those jobs pay in today's market — helps you plan your next career move with real numbers instead of guesswork. coursera
Computer forensics is no longer just about pulling files from a seized laptop. In 2026, digital forensics sits inside incident response, cloud investigations, mobile device analysis, malware review, insider-threat cases, fraud investigations, and legal discovery.
That is why salary data can look messy. A “computer forensics” job in a police lab may pay very differently from a digital forensics and incident response role at a defense contractor, bank, consulting firm, or managed security provider.