A Quick Guide to Cisco’s CCIE Certifications

Key takeaways

• The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications are expert-level credentials from Cisco that require you to pass a core exam and a practical exam.

• CCIE certification tracks include Collaboration, Data Center, Enterprise Infrastructure, Wireless, Security, and Service Provider.

• CCIE salary data varies by role and certification; for example, as a network architect with the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification, you can earn a median pay of $171,000, while a collaboration analyst with the CCIE Collaboration certification may earn $96,000 [1, 2].

CCIE training options include official Cisco resources, like self-paced learning with Cisco U, as well as instructor-led training. Learn more about the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications, including available tracks and their costs and prerequisites.

If you’re ready to start building expertise in IT networks and security, enroll in the Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals Specialization. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the basic skills required to become an entry-level cybersecurity operations analyst, like TCP/IP, Security Operations Center (SOC), and networking communication, in as little as 12 weeks. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career certificate for your resume.

What is CCIE certification?

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications are the top credentials offered by Cisco Systems. To earn one of these certifications, you must pass two exams to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting Cisco-based networks. The first is a 120-minute online exam with various question formats, from multiple-choice questions to drag-and-drop and performance-based testing. The second exam is a lab exam that assesses your practical skills.

Read more: Network Certification: 6 Options for Your IT Career

Available tracks in the CCIE certification

Cisco offers eight tracks in the CCIE certification program, covering topics ranging from network infrastructure to wireless networking.

CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure

One of Cisco's more popular credentials, the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification assesses your expert-level skills in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting complex wired and wireless networks for enterprises. Topics assessed on the qualifying exams include routing protocols, switching technologies, network automation, security fundamentals, network troubleshooting, and more. The test measures your knowledge of complex network technologies, as well as how you apply this knowledge in practical settings (demonstrated through your work on the lab exam).

Requirements: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (350-401 ENCOR v1.2) and CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v.1.1.

Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [3, 4]

Related jobs:*

• Enterprise network engineer: $153,000 [5]

• Network architect: $171,000 [1]

• Network manager: $138,000 [6]

• Network security engineer: $168,000 [7]

• Wireless network specialist: $114,000 [8]

CCIE Wireless

The CCIE Wireless certification validates your expertise in managing the entire lifecycle of wireless LAN networks for enterprise environments, from implementation to troubleshooting. Earning this credential involves passing a written exam and a hands-on lab demonstrating your ability to optimize Wi-Fi performance, mitigate interference, and ensure a reliable and secure wireless experience for enterprise users.

Requirements: Implementing and Operating Cisco Wireless Core Technologies exam (350-101 WLCOR v1.0) and CCIE Enterprise Wireless v1.1.

Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [9, 4]

Related jobs:*

• Technical sales personnel: $158,000 [10]

• Wireless network architect: $163,000 [11]

• Wireless network engineer: $133,000 [12]

• Wireless security specialist: $131,000 [13]

CCIE Collaboration

The CCIE Collaboration certification allows you to show your expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining collaboration solutions like voice, video, and unified communications within an enterprise network. You'll need to successfully pass an exam to demonstrate your ability to troubleshoot complex collaboration issues, ensure seamless communication, and integrate these solutions within an existing enterprise IT infrastructure. As of April 22, 2024, candidates will take the updated version of the CLCOR exam [14].

Requirements: Implementing Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies (350-801 CLCOR v2.0) and CCIE Collaboration Practical Exam v3.1

Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [4, 15]

Related jobs:*

• Collaboration analyst: $96,000 [2]

• Telecom engineer: $118,000 [16]

• Network engineer: $124,000 [17]

• Network architect: $171,000 [1]

• Collaboration engineer: $138,000 [18]

CCIE Data Center

IT professionals who want to design and manage modern data centers may pursue the CCIE Data Center certification. In doing so, you validate your ability to work with the entire data center network, from physical architecture and network overlays to integrating AI and automation tools. Topics on the qualifying exam include the application of routing and switching protocols, the implementation of infrastructure monitoring, NFS and NAS concepts, and automation technologies.

Requirements: Implementing Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (350-601 DCCOR v1.2) and CCIE Data Center v3.1 lab exam

Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [4, 19]

Related jobs:*

• Cloud network engineer: $149,000 [20]

• Data center automation engineer: $119,000 [21]

• Data center engineer: $115,000 [22]

• Network architect: $171,000 [1]

• Data security engineer: $154,000 [23]

CCIE Security

The CCIE Security certification demonstrates your mastery of working with comprehensive security solutions for complex enterprise networks. It assesses your understanding of security concepts, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, and network, cloud, and content security. Specifically, you should be able to explain common threats and vulnerabilities, configure security methods for network infrastructure, deploy network security solution models, and more to pass the required tests.

Requirements: Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR 350-701 v2.0) and CCIE Security v6.1 lab exam

Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [4, 24]

Related jobs:*

• Network security architect: $209,000 [25]

• Penetration tester: $155,000 [26]

• Security analyst: $124,000 [27]

• Security engineer: $173,000 [28]

CCIE Service Provider

Earning the CCIE Service Provider certification proves you have the knowledge and expertise to deploy, operate, and optimize solutions for service provider networks. It validates your mastery of core routing protocols, network assurance and automation, and network resiliency. The exam assesses topics like implementing MPLS, segment routing, VPN services, and more.

Requirements: Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies (350-501 SPCOR v1.1) and CCIE Service Provider v5.1

Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [2, 29]

Related jobs:*

• IP engineer: $126,000 [30]

• Service provider network architect: $171,000 [1]

• Network engineer: $124,000 [17]

• Technical sales personnel: $158,000 [10]

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of July 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Benefits of being CCIE certified

Earning a CCIE certification is a professional milestone, demonstrating your knowledge and expertise working with Cisco networks. Cisco is an IT industry leader and a top supplier of network infrastructure and wireless network solutions. With this certification, you may improve your job prospects and salary, potentially positioning yourself for a promotion. As a bonus, your CCIE certification gives you direct access to more experienced technical support engineers when you need help in the field and contact Cisco Technical Support.

CCIE training options: How to prepare for CCIE

To prepare for a CCIE exam, you can use official Cisco training resources, which include in-person and online preparation classes. Through Cisco U, you can take advantage of self-paced learning options and enjoy community support from others preparing for or completing the certification exam. Cisco also has private group sessions available, and you can access them online or have a trainer visit your office for instructor-led training.

Sharpen your expertise with hands-on learning resources

Explore career paths, assess your skills, and connect with resume guidance while browsing our Career Resources Hub. Or if you want to learn more about the field of IT, check out these free resources:

• Read our Career Chat issue: 7 IT Certifications to Know + Career Benefits

• Learn key terms: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary

• Watch on YouTube: Should You Consider a Career in IT? A Quick Intro

Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses.