CCNA vs CCNP
Cisco Certified Network Associate and Cisco Certified Network Professional compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
CCNA leads on market demand (7,875 vs 5,663 US job postings), while CCNPleads on average salary ($115,000). CCNA is the more accessible starting point at 3/5 difficulty versus 4/5 for CCNP.
Side-by-Side Data
| CCNA | CCNP | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 7,875leads | 5,663 |
| Market Share | 0.13% | 0.09% |
| Demand Trend | Stable | Stable |
| Avg Salary | $82,000 | $115,000leads |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 3 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $300 | $700 (two exams) |
| Study Time | 80-150 hours | 150-300 hours |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
CCNA
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Cisco's foundational networking certification covering routing, switching, security, automation, and programmability. The 120-minute 200-301 exam has ~100 questions requiring ~825/1000 to pass. Valid for 3 years.
CCNP
Cisco Certified Network Professional
Cisco's professional-level networking certification requiring two exams: a core exam (ENCOR, $400) and a concentration exam ($300). The ENCOR exam has 70-100 questions in 120 minutes requiring ~825/1000 to pass. Recommends 3-5 years of enterprise networking experience.
CCNA vs CCNP: FAQ
Which pays more, CCNA or CCNP?+
CCNP is associated with the higher average salary: about $115,000 vs $82,000 for CCNA, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, CCNA or CCNP?+
CCNA currently appears in 7,875 US job postings versus 5,663 for CCNP. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is CCNP harder than CCNA?+
Generally yes: we rate CCNP 4/5 difficulty versus 3/5 for CCNA, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both CCNA and CCNP?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with CCNA (3/5 difficulty) and progressing to CCNP. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.