Top Jobs for Nutanix Certified Professional Holders

Across industries, enterprises are undergoing rapid digital transformation. With more organizations embracing hybrid cloud and hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), the demand for Nutanix-certified professionals who can manage and optimize these environments has skyrocketed. Enterprises now aren’t just looking for tools—they’re looking for skills and talent.

While companies are investing heavily in advanced technologies, there is a growing shortage of IT professionals who know how to deploy, manage, and scale them effectively. Multi-cloud environments, virtualized data centers, and hybrid infrastructures require specialized skills that are still rare in the job market. With the number of IT professionals not keeping pace with the demand, enterprises face skills gaps that can slow innovation and reduce ROI on technology investments.

A Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP) credential validates an IT professional’s expertise and demonstrates their ability in modern enterprise environments. For professionals, it’s a career booster and a gateway to in-demand, well-paying roles. And for enterprises, it’s a reassurance that their systems are in capable hands.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top jobs available for NCP holders, their responsibilities, the career benefits they offer, and how this certification positions you for long-term growth in cloud and infrastructure roles. 

What Is a Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP)?

The Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP) is the entry-level certification in the Nutanix certification track. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates an IT professional’s ability to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Nutanix Enterprise Cloud environments.

 The NCP credential shows employers that you have a strong foundation in:

  • VM management – provisioning, managing, and optimizing workloads. 
  • Storage management – configuring distributed storage with Nutanix AOS. 
  • Networking – setting up virtual networks and policies for secure communication. 
  • Troubleshooting – diagnosing and resolving common infrastructure challenges. 

NCP provides the essential skills and credibility individuals need to start advancing their careers in cloud and data center operations while setting the stage for more advanced Nutanix certifications like the Nutanix Certified Master (NCM) and Nutanix Certified Expert (NCX).

Three Nutanix certified professionals collaborating in a conference room, reviewing data on a tablet during a team strategy session.

Top Jobs for Nutanix Certified Professional Holders

One of the biggest advantages of earning an NCP credential is the variety of career paths it opens up. Here are the top six roles Nutanix Certified Professional holders can pursue:

1. Systems Administrator

Systems administrators are the core of IT operations. With NCP certification, they can:

  • Manage Nutanix clusters and VM workloads. 
  • Monitor system health and performance. 
  • Troubleshoot issues to ensure high availability.

This role provides a strong entry point into Nutanix environments, with opportunities to specialize in storage, virtualization, or cloud operations.

2. Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

Cloud infrastructure engineers design and scale hybrid or multi-cloud systems. NCP certification equips them with the practical knowledge to design, deploy, and scale these complex environments using Nutanix technologies. They excel in this role by:

  • Using Nutanix Prism for cluster management. 
  • Optimizing workload placement across environments. 
  • Implementing strategies for scalability and efficiency.

On average, cloud infrastructure engineers earn attractive salaries in the U.S., with even higher potential in enterprise-heavy industries.

3. Virtualization Administrator

Enterprises rely on virtualization administrators to optimize workloads and focus on the lifecycle of virtual machines. With NCP training, professionals gain hands-on experience in:

  • Provisioning and managing VMs efficiently. 
  • Configuring backup and recovery processes. 
  • Ensuring resource utilization remains balanced.

Virtualization is central to modern IT, and organizations rely on skilled virtualization admins to keep business operations agile and to minimize downtime through reliable recovery strategies.

4. Data Center Engineer

Data center engineers ensure large enterprise infrastructures remain reliable and scalable. NCP-certified engineers specialize in:

  • Deploying and scaling Nutanix data centers. 
  • Configuring storage and security policies. 
  • Maintaining uptime and high availability.

This role is especially critical as organizations modernize from legacy systems to hyperconverged infrastructure. With NCP expertise, engineers can ensure that data centers not only support current needs but are also prepared to grow with the business.

5. IT Security and Compliance Specialist

In compliance-heavy industries like healthcare, finance, and government, IT security specialists play a critical role. With NCP skills, they:

  • Strengthen data protection using Nutanix features. 
  • Enforce secure network policies across hybrid environments. 
  • Align backup and storage policies with compliance frameworks.

Their knowledge helps enterprises align their infrastructure with compliance requirements, thereby reducing the risk of breaches and avoiding costly fines. For businesses, having NCP-certified compliance specialists ensures that sensitive data is protected while maintaining trust with customers and regulators.

6. Cloud Solutions Architect (Advanced Role)

For experienced professionals, the NCP certification can serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a cloud solutions architect. Architects are responsible for:

  • Designing enterprise-wide cloud strategies. 
  • Leading hybrid and multi-cloud adoption projects. 
  • Combining NCP expertise with advanced certifications like NCM or NCX.

While the Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP) lays the foundation, combining it with advanced Nutanix certifications, such as Nutanix Certified Master (NCM) or Nutanix Certified Expert (NCX), can propel professionals into this highly respected and lucrative position. Cloud architects often command six-figure salaries and play a key role in shaping the digital future of enterprises.

Career Growth and Salary Outlook for NCPs

The demand for Nutanix-certified professionals is growing—and so are the rewards. According to the 2025 Value of IT Certification Candidate Report by Pearson VUE, 32% of 24,000 IT professionals received a salary increase after certification, 56% within three months, and 83% within six months.

Salary Outlook

NCP-certified professionals enjoy salaries that reflect their specialized expertise and skills. While compensation varies depending on location, experience, and industry, the averages consistently exceed those of standard IT roles.

  • IT Compliance Specialists earn an average salary of $67,638, and Security Compliance Specialists earn $81,143 every year.
  • Systems Administrators with NCP skills typically earn between $88,927 annually.
  • Virtualization Administrators earn an annual average of  $110,278, depending on their workload responsibilities.
  • In enterprise-heavy markets, Cloud Infrastructure Engineers command an average of $127,066 annually, while Data Center Engineers often earn a premium, averaging $147,461.
  • Advanced positions, such as Cloud Solutions Architects, earn an average of $150,000 per year, reflecting their strategic importance in enterprise IT.

Beyond salaries, NCP certification serves as the gateway for long-term career development. It not only opens immediate job opportunities but also acts as a stepping stone toward the Nutanix Certified Expert (NCX). This is an expert-level certification in the strategic design and deployment of multi-cloud architectures, complex infrastructure, and advanced solutions.

Looking ahead, Nutanix skills will continue to grow in value. As enterprises shift toward cloud-native applications, edge computing, and AI-driven infrastructure, certified professionals who understand both the technical and business sides of Nutanix solutions will be in high demand. Nutanix Certified Professional holders who continue to build on their skills will be well-positioned for some of the most exciting and lucrative roles in IT.

Group of Nutanix certified professionals in business attire celebrating a successful project with thumbs-up gestures around a laptop in a bright office setting.

Future-Proof Your Career with NCP Certification

By validating skills in VM management, cluster deployment, storage optimization, and troubleshooting, the Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP) gives IT professionals the credibility to step confidently into high-demand roles, such as systems administrators, cloud infrastructure engineers, virtualization administrators, and even cloud architects.

Enterprises are fiercely competing for professionals who can manage the complexities of both technologies and business outcomes. As the skills gap in cloud and HCI continues to widen, professionals holding Nutanix certifications are uniquely positioned to fill critical talent shortages and command competitive salaries. Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP) holders have become an indispensable asset in any enterprise IT team.

Yet, achieving this success requires the right Nutanix Certification training. Layer 8 Training, an Authorized Nutanix Training Partner, offers instructor-led courses, hands-on labs, and certification-aligned content that prepares you for both the exam and actual enterprise deployments. With guaranteed-to-run schedules, flexible delivery formats, and seasoned instructors with years of field expertise, Layer 8 ensures that you gain both knowledge and confidence.

If you’re ready to close skill gaps and open doors to high-growth career opportunities, now is the time to act. Start your journey today and make Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP) your next career milestone. Talk with one of our advisors today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What jobs can I get with a Nutanix Certified Professional certification?
    You can pursue roles like systems administrator, cloud infrastructure engineer, virtualization administrator, data center engineer, IT security specialist, and cloud solutions architect.
  2. How much does a Nutanix Certified Professional earn?
    NCP-certified professionals typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000, with advanced roles exceeding $150,000 depending on experience and location.
  3. Is NCP certification worth it for career growth?
    Yes. It validates in-demand HCI and cloud skills, opens doors to multiple IT roles, and serves as a stepping stone toward advanced certifications like NCM and NCX.
  4. Do enterprises prefer Nutanix certifications for cloud roles?
    Absolutely. Enterprises implementing Nutanix solutions seek certified professionals who can configure, manage, and optimize their environments effectively.
  5. Where can I take Nutanix Certified Professional training?
    You can enroll through Authorized Nutanix Training Partners like Layer 8 Training, which provide official content, hands-on labs, and expert instruction.