CCNA vs JNCIA
Cisco Certified Network Associate and Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
CCNA leads on market demand (7,875 vs 124 US job postings), while JNCIAleads on average salary ($85,000). JNCIA is the more accessible starting point at 1/5 difficulty versus 3/5 for CCNA.
Side-by-Side Data
| CCNA | JNCIA | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 7,875leads | 124 |
| Market Share | 0.13% | 0.00% |
| Demand Trend | Stable | Stable |
| Avg Salary | $82,000 | $85,000leads |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 3 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $300 | $200 |
| Study Time | 80-150 hours | 40-60 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.
JNCIA
Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate
Juniper's entry-level networking certification covering Junos OS, CLI navigation, and basic routing/switching. The JN0-104 exam is 65 questions in 90 minutes. No prerequisites required. Gateway to advanced JNCIS and JNCIP certifications. Valid for 3 years.
CCNA vs JNCIA: FAQ
Which pays more, CCNA or JNCIA?+
JNCIA is associated with the higher average salary: about $85,000 vs $82,000 for CCNA, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, CCNA or JNCIA?+
CCNA currently appears in 7,875 US job postings versus 124 for JNCIA — roughly 63.5× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is CCNA harder than JNCIA?+
Generally yes: we rate CCNA 3/5 difficulty versus 1/5 for JNCIA, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both CCNA and JNCIA?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with JNCIA (1/5 difficulty) and progressing to CCNA. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.