N10-009 Job Roles and Salary Insights for Certified Professionals

Every business, government agency, hospital, and financial institution depends on networks to function. A slow or broken network means lost productivity, security risks, and revenue losses. Companies are now investing heavily in skilled networking professionals who can see technical issues and keep their infrastructure secure and efficient.

The CompTIA N10-009 certification validates networking skills in a real-world IT environment. Whether it is setting up a local network, managing cloud-based infrastructures, or ensuring cybersecurity compliance, this certification proves that you have the fundamental knowledge and hands-on ability to handle critical networking tasks. For a detailed overview of what this certification covers and how it’s evolving in 2025, take a look at the complete Guide About N10-009 Certification.

Getting certified is great, but it is even more important to understand how it translates into actual job opportunities. Here are some of the best N10-009 jobs that require or prefer N10-009 certification.

Network Support Specialist: The First Line of IT Defense

What is the Job About?

This is an entry-to-mid-level role where you are responsible for troubleshooting network issues for technical support. If an employee cannot connect to the internet, a server is unresponsive, or a firewall is blocking legitimate traffic, the network will provide technical support specialist steps in to diagnose and fix the problem using networking concepts.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and troubleshoot connectivity problems in wired and wireless networks
• Configure and maintain routers, switches, and firewalls for computer systems
• Monitor network performance using tools like Wireshark or SolarWinds
• Work with vendors to resolve hardware or software issues
• Assist with network security by implementing basic protection measures

Salary and Growth Potential

• United States: $60,000 – $75,000 per year
• Europe: €40,000 – €55,000 per year
• Asia: $25,000 – $50,000 per year

Salaries increase with experience, and professionals who gain additional certifications operating systems like CCNA, Security+, or AWS can move into higher-paying roles.

IT Infrastructure Technician: Ensuring Stability and Uptime

What is the Job About?

IT infrastructure technicians focus on maintaining the backbone of an organization’s network. Their responsibilities extend beyond basic troubleshooting and often involve working with networking and computer hardware,, server infrastructure, and storage solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Install and configure networking hardware, including routers, switches, and access points
• Set up and maintain network cabling and physical connections
• Support virtualized environments and cloud networking configurations
• Perform routine network maintenance and system upgrades
• Monitor bandwidth usage and optimize network performance

Salary and Demand

• United States: $55,000 – $70,000 per year
• Europe: €38,000 – €50,000 per year
• Asia: $20,000 – $45,000 per year

Demand for network services is increasing due to the rise of cloud-based and hybrid IT environments. Companies with large physical office spaces or data centers rely on infrastructure technicians to ensure seamless connectivity.

Security Support Engineer: Combining Networking and Cybersecurity

• As companies tighten their security, networking professionals with security expertise are highly valued.
• Responsibilities include monitoring network traffic for threats, implementing firewall policies, and assisting in incident response.
• Salaries range from $70,000 – $95,000 in the U.S. and €50,000 – €75,000 in Europe.

Network Administrator: Managing Entire IT Networks

• A step up from network support, network administrators are responsible for designing, managing, and optimizing entire corporate networks.
• This role includes configuring enterprise routers and switches, planning network upgrades, and ensuring compliance with security standards.
• Salaries range from $75,000 – $100,000 in the U.S. and €55,000 – €85,000 in Europe.

Cloud Networking Engineer: Working with Cloud-Based Networks

• Businesses increasingly rely on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud user accounts for their infrastructure.
• Cloud networking engineers design and manage these cloud-based environments, ensuring secure and efficient connectivity.
• Salaries start at $90,000 in the U.S. and can reach $130,000 for senior roles.

Maximizing Your Earning Potential with N10-009 Comptia Certifications

While N10-009 is a solid certification, increasing your salary requires strategy, and that starts with having reliable prep support like Cert Empire, where you’ll find professional resources tailored for success.

1. Get Additional Certifications

• Security+ can open doors to security-focused roles.
• CCNA is valuable for those who want to specialize in Cisco networks.
• AWS or Azure certifications help transition into cloud networking roles.

2. Gain Hands-on Experience

• Setting up a home lab with routers, switches, and virtualization tools can provide practical experience.
• Many employers value hands-on knowledge over theoretical understanding.

While hands-on practice is essential, using realistic N10-009 exam dumps can reinforce your understanding of core concepts and help identify weak areas before the actual test. To get started without commitment, you can also try a free N10-009 practice test to quickly check where you stand.

3. Learn Network Automation

• Python and automation tools like Ansible are becoming critical for networking jobs.
• These skills can help land higher-paying roles in DevOps and cloud networking.

4. Negotiate Your Salary

• Many IT professionals accept lower salaries simply because they do not negotiate.
• Research industry salary trends and be prepared to discuss your value with potential employers.

How Much Do N10-009 Certified Professionals Earn? 

Networking jobs pay differently depending on where you work. Countries with strong IT infrastructure and high demand for tech professionals tend to offer better salaries. Here’s a region-wise salary breakdown for professionals with N10-009 certification.

United States

• Entry-Level (0–2 years): $55,000 – $70,000
• Mid-Level (3–5 years): $75,000 – $95,000
• Senior-Level (6+ years): $100,000 – $130,000

The U.S. has one of the highest salary ranges for IT professionals, especially in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, where demand is high. However, in smaller cities, salaries tend to be lower but still competitive.

Europe

• Entry-Level: €35,000 – €50,000
• Mid-Level: €55,000 – €75,000
• Senior-Level: €85,000 – €110,000

Countries like Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland offer high salaries for networking professionals, especially in the financial and enterprise sectors. Eastern European countries, on the other hand, tend to have lower salary ranges.

Asia

• Entry-Level: $20,000 – $40,000
• Mid-Level: $45,000 – $70,000
• Senior-Level: $80,000 – $110,000

Asian tech hubs like Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and India offer strong networking job markets, though salaries vary significantly. In countries like India and the Philippines, salaries start lower but increase rapidly with experience.

Middle East & Australia

• Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia): $40,000 – $80,000
• Australia: AUD 70,000 – AUD 120,000

In the Middle East, salaries are competitive due to high demand for skilled IT professionals and tax-free income in places like Dubai. Australia has a strong tech sector, and salaries are comparable to the U.S.

How Experience Level Impacts Earnings in Networking Careers

Experience is one of the biggest salary boosters in the IT industry. The more you know and the more real-world problems you have solved, the more valuable you become. Here’s how earnings progress over time:

Entry-Level (0–2 Years of Experience)

• Common Roles: Network Support Specialist, IT Technician, Junior Network Administrator
• Typical Salary: $50,000 – $70,000 (U.S.)
• Skillset: Basic troubleshooting, configuring routers/switches, understanding IP addressing

Most professionals at this stage are just starting out. Certifications help land jobs, but hands-on experience is the key to moving up.

Mid-Level (3–5 Years of Experience)

• Common Roles: Network Engineer, Systems Administrator, Security Engineer
• Typical Salary: $75,000 – $100,000 (U.S.)
• Skillset: Managing enterprise networks, security configurations, VLANs, cloud networking

At this stage, professionals move beyond a basic understanding of troubleshooting and start managing entire networks. Employers start expecting knowledge of firewalls, security protocols, and cloud environments.

Senior-Level (6+ Years of Experience)

• Common Roles: Senior Network Engineer, Cloud Networking Engineer, IT Manager
• Typical Salary: $100,000 – $130,000+ (U.S.)
• Skillset: Advanced security, network automation, cloud solutions, leadership skills

Senior professionals often take on architectural roles, where they design and make systems engineer optimize networks instead of just maintaining them.

Comparing N10-009 Salaries with Other Networking Certifications

Certifications can impact salary potential. Here’s a comparison of N10-009 vs. other major networking certifications.

Certification	Typical Salary Range (U.S.)	Best For
CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)	$55,000 – $90,000	Entry-level networking, general IT roles
Cisco CCNA	$65,000 – $100,000	Cisco networking, enterprise environments
Juniper JNCIA	$70,000 – $110,000	Service provider networks, Juniper-based companies
AWS Certified Advanced Networking	$90,000 – $140,000	Cloud networking, AWS-based roles
CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)	$90,000 – $130,000	Advanced Cisco networking, enterprise IT
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)	$100,000 – $150,000	Cybersecurity-focused networking

What Skills Can Push Your Earnings Higher in IT Networking Jobs?

Certifications alone won’t automatically increase your salary. To get higher-paying roles, you need real-world skills. Here are the most valuable ones:

1. Learning Network Security

• Employers prefer networking professionals who also understand security.
• Skills like firewall configurations, VPN setups, and network hardening can boost your value.
• Getting Security+ or CISSP in addition to N10-009 can lead to higher salaries.

2. Gaining Cloud Networking Expertise

• Companies are moving their infrastructure to the cloud.
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking or Azure Network Engineer certifications can open doors to $100,000+ jobs.
• Knowing how to secure cloud environments is a major plus.

3. Mastering Network Automation

• Networking jobs now require some knowledge of Python, Ansible, and automation tools.
• Automating configurations, security monitoring, and network performance tracking saves time and increases efficiency.
• Companies pay more for professionals who can work with SDN (Software-Defined Networking) and network automation.

4. Getting Real-World Hands-On Experience

• Home labs, virtual networks, and hands-on practice matter more than just memorizing exam questions.
• Employers value real-world troubleshooting experience over theoretical knowledge.
• Setting up and configuring actual Cisco, Juniper, or Fortinet devices can give you an edge.

5. Industry-Specific Networking Skills

• Financial institutions require strong network security and compliance knowledge.
• Healthcare IT requires familiarity with HIPAA regulations for secure networking.
• E-commerce and tech startups often look for cloud and DevOps skills alongside networking.

What Factors Influence Your Salary as an N10-009 Certified Professional?

Earning a competitive salary in IT networking isn’t just about having a certification. Several key factors determine how much an N10-009 certified professional can earn, including industry trends, additional certifications, and salary negotiation strategies. Let’s break it all down in detail.

Technology is constantly changing, and so are salaries in IT networking. Employers prioritize skills based on current industry needs. Understanding these trends can help professionals position themselves for higher-paying opportunities.

1. Cloud Adoption is Driving Networking Salaries Up

• More businesses are moving from traditional on-premise networks to cloud-based environments using AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Cloud networking requires specialized skills in managing hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
• IT professionals who understand cloud networking and security are in high demand.
• Salaries for cloud networking roles tend to be 20–40% higher than traditional networking jobs.

How This Affects Salaries

• A traditional Network Administrator may earn $75,000 – $95,000 per year.
• A Cloud Network Engineer with additional AWS or Azure expertise can earn $90,000 – $130,000 per year.

2. Cybersecurity Concerns Are Increasing Demand for Skilled IT Professionals

• Businesses are under constant cyber threats. Networking professionals with security expertise are earning higher salaries.
• Companies need IT pros who can configure firewalls, monitor threats, and secure corporate networks.
• CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and CISSP are becoming standard certifications for high-paying security roles.

How This Affects Salaries

• A basic Network Support Specialist earns around $60,000 – $75,000.
• A Network Security Engineer with security certifications can make $90,000 – $120,000 per year.

3. Automation and AI are Changing Networking Jobs

• Companies are using automation tools like Ansible, Python scripting, and SDN (Software-Defined Networking) to manage large networks more efficiently.
• IT professionals who understand automation tools earn significantly higher salaries.

How This Affects Salaries

• A standard Network Engineer may earn $80,000 – $100,000.
• A Network Automation Engineer with Python and Ansible skills can earn $100,000 – $140,000.

How Additional Certifications Can Boost Your Income

While N10-009 is a solid certification, earning additional specialized certifications can significantly increase salary potential. Employers value networking professionals who go beyond the basics and gain deeper expertise in security, cloud, or advanced networking.

1. Security+ (CompTIA Security+) – Adds Cybersecurity Skills

• Why It Matters: Many networking jobs now require security knowledge.
• How It Boosts Salary: Networking professionals with Security+ earn 10–25% more than those without.
• Best for: Moving into network security roles, firewall management, and compliance-focused IT jobs.
• Salary Impact:
  • Network Administrator (N10-009 only): $75,000 – $95,000
  • Network Security Engineer (N10-009 + Security+): $90,000 – $120,000

2. CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) – Specializes in Cisco Networking

• Why It Matters: Many companies use Cisco networking equipment, and CCNA validates expertise in configuring Cisco routers and switches.
• How It Boosts Salary: Professionals with CCNA often earn 15–30% more than those with only N10-009.
• Best for: Moving into Network Engineer and Network Administrator roles.
• Salary Impact:
  • Network Support Specialist (N10-009 only): $60,000 – $75,000
  • Network Engineer (N10-009 + CCNA): $80,000 – $110,000

3. AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Expands Cloud Knowledge

• Why It Matters: Cloud computing is dominating IT infrastructure, and AWS skills are highly valued.
• How It Boosts Salary: IT pros with cloud networking expertise can command salaries 30–50% higher.
• Best for: Moving into Cloud Network Engineer, DevOps, and hybrid cloud roles.
• Salary Impact:
  • Traditional Network Engineer (N10-009 only): $80,000 – $100,000
  • Cloud Networking Engineer (N10-009 + AWS Advanced Networking): $100,000 – $140,000

4. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) – Best for High-Level Security Roles

• Why It Matters: It’s one of the most respected security certifications in IT.
• How It Boosts Salary: Salaries for professionals with CISSP are typically $120,000+.
• Best for: Moving into security-focused networking jobs like Security Engineer, Network Security Architect, and IT Manager.

Final Thoughts

The salary of an N10-009 certified professional depends on industry trends, experience level, additional certifications, and negotiation skills. While N10-009 is a strong entry-level certification, IT professionals who specialize in cloud, security, or network automation can earn significantly higher salaries.

For those looking to maximize their salary, the best strategy is to gain experience, earn advanced certifications, and specialize in high-demand IT fields like security or cloud networking.

FAQs

Is N10-009 Certification Worth It in 2025?

Yes, N10-009 is still valuable in 2025, especially for beginners in IT networking. It provides a solid foundation in foundational networking skills, security, and troubleshooting, making it useful for entry-level roles. While it’s great for starting out, higher salaries typically require additional certifications like CCNA or AWS.

What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs for Network+ Certified Professionals?

The highest-paying jobs for N10-009 certified professionals include Network Engineer ($80K–$110K), Cloud Networking Specialist ($100K–$140K), and Security Engineer ($90K–$120K). Earning potential increases with hands-on experience and advanced certs like Security+ or AWS Networking.

How Can I Increase My Salary After Getting N10-009 Certified?

To increase your salary, gain hands-on experience, earn additional certs like CCNA, Security+, or AWS, and specialize technical skills in high-demand areas like cloud networking or network security. Negotiating salary and working in high-paying industries also boost earnings. For specific preparation advice and actionable study methods, explore How to Pass the N10-009 Exam: Top Tips and Exam Strategies to boost your chances of passing on the first attempt.

Does N10-009 Help in Getting Remote IT Jobs?

Yes, N10-009 helps in landing remote IT jobs, especially in an organization’s network infrastructure, support, security, and cloud-based roles. Companies need networking professionals to manage remote connectivity, VPNs, and security, making certified professionals valuable for remote work.

How Does N10-009 Compare to CCNA in Terms of Salary and Job Opportunities?

N10-009 is vendor-neutral and great for entry-level network technician jobs, while CCNA is Cisco-focused and preferred for network engineering roles. CCNA-certified professionals generally earn 15–30% more than those with just N10-009, especially in enterprise networking jobs.

Last Updated on August 25, 2025 by Team CE