DevNet

CCIE Automation holders earn $155,000–$170,000 on average in 2026, with top performers clearing $225,000. That’s a 40–60% premium over non-certified network automation engineers, who average $96,000–$129,000 depending on the source. The February 2026 rebrand from DevNet Expert to CCIE Automation has strengthened the credential’s market recognition, and demand for engineers who can bridge networking and code is at an all-time high. Key Takeaway: The CCIE Automation salary premium isn’t just about the certification — it’s about being the rare engineer who can troubleshoot OSPF adjacencies AND write Ansible playbooks to prevent them from breaking in the first place. ...

If you’ve been tracking Cisco’s certification ecosystem, you already know something big dropped in February 2026: DevNet Expert is now CCIE Automation. This isn’t just a name change — it’s a strategic signal from Cisco that automation has earned its place at the expert-level table alongside Enterprise Infrastructure, Security, Data Center, and Service Provider. Let’s break down exactly what changed, what stayed the same, who should care, and how to position yourself for this new track. ...