Arista Certification: How Much Can You Earn with One?

As enterprise networks continue shifting toward automation and cloud-driven infrastructure, Arista Networks has emerged as a leader in high-performance networking solutions. With its innovative Extensible Operating System (EOS), cloud-scale architectures, and software-defined networking (SDN) capabilities, Arista is becoming a go-to platform for data center and campus environments. As a result, arista certification are gaining momentum in the IT job market. But how much can you really earn with an Arista certification? In this article, we’ll explore salary trends, job roles, and the overall return on investment (ROI) for professionals who earn Arista’s ACE (Arista Certified Engineering) certifications.

Understanding Arista Certification Levels

Before we dive into salary figures, it’s essential to understand the structure of Arista’s certification program. The Arista Certified Engineering (ACE) path is divided into three levels:

• ACE-A (Associate): Entry-level certification focused on EOS basics, network fundamentals, and CLI configuration.
• ACE-P (Professional): Intermediate level covering network automation, Arista architecture, Cloud Vision, and advanced troubleshooting.
• ACE-E (Expert): High-level certification for network architects and engineers dealing with complex enterprise deployments.

Each level opens doors to progressively higher-paying roles depending on experience, skills, and industry demand.

Average Salaries by Arista Certification Level

1. ACE-A (Associate)

The ACE-A certification helps new engineers gain credibility in networking roles that involve Arista hardware or similar technologies.

• Typical Roles: Network Support Technician, Junior Network Engineer, NOC Engineer
• Average Salary: $65,000–$85,000 USD/year

Professionals holding ACE-A often land entry-level positions with managed service providers, data centers, or enterprise IT departments. While it’s not the highest-paying certification, ACE-A provides a solid foundation and career entry point.

2. ACE-P (Professional)

The ACE-P is designed for experienced engineers who work with Arista’s advanced features, including Cloud Vision and automation tools.

• Typical Roles: Network Engineer, Systems Engineer, SDN Engineer
• Average Salary: $95,000–$125,000 USD/year

With ACE-P, professionals typically work in mid- to senior-level roles managing complex networks or leading automation initiatives. Employers value the deep understanding of EOS, scripting skills, and the ability to integrate Arista solutions into hybrid environments.

3. ACE-E (Expert)

The ACE-E certification is intended for architects and consultants who design, implement, and optimize high-performance Arista-based infrastructures.

• Typical Roles: Network Architect, Solutions Architect, Senior Infrastructure Engineer
• Average Salary: $140,000–$180,000+ USD/year

With its expert-level requirements, ACE-E professionals often work in leadership roles, handling multi-vendor integrations, cloud migrations, and network strategy for large-scale environments.

Factors Influencing Salary with Arista Certification

Several variables impact how much you can earn with an Arista certification:

• Experience Level: Candidates with 5+ years of networking experience earn significantly more, especially when combined with automation or cloud expertise.
• Location: Salaries are higher in tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, and London. In the U.S., major metro areas often offer 15–25% higher compensation.
• Industry: Sectors like finance, cloud service providers, and large tech enterprises typically pay above-average wages for Arista-certified professionals.
• Skills Stack: Combining Arista certifications with knowledge of Python, Ansible, AWS, or Kubernetes can significantly boost salary potential.

ROI: Is Arista Certification Worth It?

Absolutely — especially for professionals seeking to differentiate themselves in the competitive networking space. Here’s why:

• Increased Job Opportunities: As more enterprises adopt Arista hardware and software, certified engineers are in higher demand.
• Faster Career Growth: Certification demonstrates not only product knowledge but also commitment to learning, making you a more competitive candidate for promotions.
• Attractive to High-Paying Employers: Companies that rely on automation and SDN often prefer or require engineers with Arista expertise.

Final Thoughts

Arista certifications—especially ACE-P and ACE-E—offer strong earning potential in today’s IT landscape. While ACE-A serves as a great entry point, progressing to higher levels can lead to six-figure salaries and leadership roles. Whether you're an aspiring network engineer or a seasoned IT architect, earning an Arista certification can be a strategic move that pays off significantly in both salary and career growth.