6 figures network engineer

I know this may be a broad question but I'm interested to know what kind of skill sets required to put someone in the 6 figures salary range. For example, is it more important to be a Jack of all trades (servers, networking, voice, etc) or be more specialized (routing, switching, firewalls, datacenter, etc) ?

Thanks in advance!!

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Comments

networker050184

The easiest is probably specialization but both can certainly net you six figures rather easy.

markulous

I'd always try to aim for a specialization route. Larger companies that can afford to pay you big $$ typically hire people that specialize in certain things and don't have JOAT guys just running around trying to put out fires. That's of course not always the case as there are a lot of companies that don't have their crap together.

Although the JOAT may be more interesting as you have your hands in several different things, but you can always study in your spare/down time, build labs, etc.

aspiringsoul

CCIE

The average CCIE earns $110,000 to $175,000 a year, with some earning more than that based on the CCIE they have, additional qualifications, and the location.

Params7

I'm sure there are jobs out there ready to pay JOAT a big paycheck but the number by virtue will be far less than specialists. MSPs will always need one or a small team of JOATs running things from the top. In big companies, JOATs probably architect/design infrastructure and probably have responsibilities fused with business/managerial responsibilities.

NOC-Ninja

id say data center since everyone is going for it. I think there's a lot of people already in RS.

dave330i

SDN from server/virtualization side.

ccnpninja

Both routes may get you a 6-figure income, given you can prove you are a master of your craft.

joelsfood

Good luck on passing the CCIE DC if you're not a master.

pinkydapimp

Get in a customer facing role where you drive revenue and you can get in that range real fast either being a jack of all trades or a specialist.

Xavor

Location + progressive experience working on networks, firewalls, and wan connections (exposure to different vendors and implementations).

Robertf969

I got offered 6 figures in DC for a rather JR Information Assurance role, location has a huge impact. (I do not want to live in DC)

Mike-Mike

I think experience and CCNP should get you to crack 6 figures. I dont think it's possible to just start at 100k.

kohr-ah

Experience, specialization, and ability to work in an environment well with that places goals.

Work at a MSP? Make customers happy and make them money they give you money.

Corporate life? Save them money, stream line things, work well with NON technical departments causing them to want to work with you more.

Keep up to date on technologies and always be willing to learn. Networking CCNP can get you there if you don't want to do CCIE. Never stop learning.

Administration work learn MS , virtualization, and SAN if you can get the hands on. See reddit's /r/homelab on how to build cheap esx boxes.

pinkydapimp

kohr-ah wrote: »

Experience, specialization, and ability to work in an environment well with that places goals.

Work at a MSP? Make customers happy and make them money they give you money.

Corporate life? Save them money, stream line things, work well with NON technical departments causing them to want to work with you more.

Keep up to date on technologies and always be willing to learn. Networking CCNP can get you there if you don't want to do CCIE. Never stop learning.

Administration work learn MS , virtualization, and SAN if you can get the hands on. See reddit's /r/homelab on how to build cheap esx boxes.

Indeed. Everyone should have a homelab at this point. Its also pretty easy to get free access to aws, azure and 365 which are also fun to play with.