Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) (200-301)

Validates knowledge of network fundamentals, routing, switching, IP services, security and automation for managing connected systems.

Summary

CCNA builds the networking knowledge and configuration skills used in support, network administration and junior engineering roles. It is a single exam covering routing, switching, IP services, security and automation, and it is the Cisco level that sits below CCNP.

Good fit if

You want to move from IT support into networking
You want practical Cisco routing, switching and troubleshooting skills
Your target network roles ask for CCNA

Look elsewhere if

You want vendor-neutral networking first: Network+
You already hold CCNA and want depth: CCNP Enterprise
You want to focus on AWS architecture: AWS Solutions Architect Associate

Salary & jobs

2,821 US job postings ask for CCNA, with Network Engineer as the most common job title. The median pay is $124k a year; most fall between $98k and $151k.

Top-paying job titles

Job title
Cybersecurity Engineer		$161k ($106k–$183k)	20
Information Systems Security Officer		$160k ($110k–$162k)	13
Cloud Engineer		$151k ($148k–$162k)	13
Network Engineer III		$128k ($114k–$133k)	17
Network Engineer		$126k ($101k–$140k)	224
Systems Administrator		$114k ($93k–$126k)	35
Systems Engineer		$105k ($94k–$133k)	27
Network Administrator		$104k ($81k–$130k)	62
Technical Consultant Patient Monitoring		$77k ($77k–$88k)	20

Top-paying employers

CACI

$134k median pay

99 postings

Leidos

$130k median pay

105 postings

Northrop Grumman

$130k median pay

115 postings

Amentum

$127k median pay

49 postings

Job title
Network Engineer		$126k ($101k–$140k)	224
Network Administrator		$104k ($81k–$130k)	62
Systems Administrator		$114k ($93k–$126k)	35
Systems Engineer		$105k ($94k–$133k)	27
Cybersecurity Engineer		$161k ($106k–$183k)	20
Technical Consultant Patient Monitoring		$77k ($77k–$88k)	20
Msp Level 3 Technician		-	17
Network Engineer III		$128k ($114k–$133k)	17
Cloud Engineer		$151k ($148k–$162k)	13
Information Systems Security Officer		$160k ($110k–$162k)	13
Network Engineer II		$118k ($94k–$128k)	13
Data Center Technician		$83k ($81k–$84k)	12
Infrastructure Engineer		$148k ($144k–$169k)	11
Network Specialist		-	11
Solutions Engineer		$137k ($128k–$218k)	11

Top employers

General Dynamics Information Technology

124 postings

$115k median pay

Most common title: Network Engineer

Peraton

116 postings

$112k median pay

Most common title: Network Administrator

Northrop Grumman

115 postings

$130k median pay

Most common title: Network Engineer

Booz Allen

111 postings

$127k median pay

Most common title: Network Engineer

About these numbers: US posting sample · Sep 2025–Aug 2026

Posting counts cover jobs mentioning CCNA. Posting pay uses annualized advertised salary midpoints; ranges show the middle 50%. Job titles combine seniority levels. Company pay reflects each employer’s mix of roles. Source dataset ↗

Prerequisites

No required prerequisites. You can book the exam without prior certifications, training or work experience.

Cost

USD · Standard exam pricing

CCNA examRequired$300

Practice examsExample: Boson ExSim-Max · 1 year ($99)$

Study guidesExample: Official Cert Guide Library · printed books ($63.99)$

Ad-free video courseExample: Jeremy’s IT Lab ($69)$

What holders say

A route from support into networking

Holders working in helpdesk or IT support describe using CCNA alongside experience to move onto networking teams.

r/ccnaReddit: How much has CCNA and/or CCNP helped you move up in IT?r/ccnaReddit: Advice for individuals looking for the first job after achieving CCNA

LinkedInLinkedIn: 3 things the CCNA actually teaches you that matter on the job

Hands-on evidence helps in applications

Career-changer discussions emphasize showing configuration and troubleshooting skills through labs and practical examples.

r/ccnaReddit: CCNA certification pays $14/hour ????? Excuse me? (career changer)r/ccnaReddit: Worth getting the cert?

The job search still takes work

Some holders describe a longer search before securing a networking role, particularly when their practical experience is limited.

r/ITCareerQuestionsReddit: Struggling to land Networking position with IT experience and a CCNA cert r/SecurityCareerAdviceReddit: Is CCNA certification still worth it in 2025 for a Cyber Security career in NA?

Certification path

Cisco’s levels run Associate (CCNA), Professional (CCNP Enterprise) and Expert (CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure).

This certification

CCNACore networking and configuration

CCNP EnterpriseENCOR plus one concentration exam

CCIE Enterprise InfrastructureENCOR plus a practical lab

Renewal

CCNA is valid for three years.

Validity: 3 years
Continuing education route: 30 CE credits
Retake CCNA: $300 USD

Renew before expiry by earning 30 CE credits, passing CCNA again or passing a qualifying higher-level Cisco exam.

Cisco recertification policy ↗

Alternatives

Network+$399 required · Entry

Vendor-neutral networking concepts and troubleshooting.

CCNP Enterprise$700 required · Intermediate

Professional-level enterprise networking.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate$150 required · Intermediate

Architecture and infrastructure on AWS.

FAQ

Does CCNA require experience?

There are no formal prerequisites. Networking experience helps, and beginners can build it through structured lab practice.

How much does CCNA cost?

The exam costs $300. Free courses and Packet Tracer can cover learning and lab practice; paid preparation is separate.

When does CCNA v2.0 start?

February 3, 2027. The last day to take v1.1 is February 2. Match your study materials to the date you plan to test.

What is the CCNA passing score?

Cisco does not publish a fixed passing score or exact question count.

How do I renew CCNA?

Before the three-year expiry, earn 30 CE credits, pass CCNA again or pass a qualifying higher-level Cisco exam.

Network+ or CCNA?

Network+ covers vendor-neutral networking. CCNA goes further into Cisco configuration and is a useful fit for network administration and engineering.

Last updated October 2026