CCNA vs Network+
Cisco Certified Network Associate and CompTIA Network+ compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
CCNA leads on market demand (7,875 vs 1,855 US job postings) and CCNAalso leads on average salary ($82,000). Network+ is the more accessible starting point at 2/5 difficulty versus 3/5 for CCNA.
Side-by-Side Data
| CCNA | Network+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 7,875leads | 1,855 |
| Market Share | 0.13% | 0.03% |
| Demand Trend | Stable | Declining |
| Avg Salary | $82,000leads | $78,000 |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $300 | $390 |
| Study Time | 80-150 hours | 40-80 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.
Network+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA's vendor-neutral networking certification covering network architecture, security, and troubleshooting. The 90-minute exam (N10-009) has up to 90 questions including performance-based items, requiring 720/900 to pass. DoD 8570 approved. Valid for 3 years.
CCNA vs Network+: FAQ
Which pays more, CCNA or Network+?+
CCNA is associated with the higher average salary: about $82,000 vs $78,000 for Network+, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, CCNA or Network+?+
CCNA currently appears in 7,875 US job postings versus 1,855 for Network+ — roughly 4.2× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is CCNA harder than Network+?+
Generally yes: we rate CCNA 3/5 difficulty versus 2/5 for Network+, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both CCNA and Network+?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with Network+ (2/5 difficulty) and progressing to CCNA. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.