CompTIA Network+ vs CCNA: Which Networking Cert Should You Get First? (2026)

CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA are the two most popular networking certifications on the planet. Both prove you understand how networks work. Both open doors. But they serve very different purposes — and picking the wrong one first can waste months of study time and hundreds of dollars in exam fees.

The short answer: Network+ is vendor-neutral and entry-level; CCNA is Cisco-specific and pays more. This guide breaks down the real differences with current salary data, pass rates, and job market numbers so you can make the right call. Already studying? Upload your practice exam files to our free simulator and start testing today.

Network+ vs CCNA: Quick Comparison

CCNA holders earn 22% more on average than Network+ holders, according to PayScale 2025 data. Here's how the two certifications stack up side by side:

Feature	CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)	Cisco CCNA (200-301)
Level	Entry-level, vendor-neutral	Associate-level, Cisco-specific
Exam Cost	$369 USD	$330 USD
Questions	Up to 90	100–120
Duration	90 minutes	120 minutes
Passing Score	720 / 900	~825 / 1000
Avg. Salary	$78K/yr	$95K/yr
Pass Rate (est.)	~70–75%	~50–60%
Study Time	100–200 hours	200–300 hours
Renewal	Every 3 years (30 CEUs)	Every 3 years (30 CE credits)
Best For	Career changers, helpdesk, government	Network engineers, Cisco shops, higher salary

Salary Comparison: CCNA Pays $17K More on Average

According to PayScale, Network+ holders earn an average of $78,000 per year, while CCNA holders average $95,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median wage for network and computer systems administrators at $96,800 as of May 2024.

The salary gap reflects CCNA's deeper technical depth and Cisco's dominance in enterprise networking. Network+ roles tend to be helpdesk-adjacent or general IT admin, while CCNA opens doors to dedicated network engineering positions.

What Network+ (N10-009) Actually Tests

Network+ is vendor-neutral — it covers networking fundamentals without tying you to any specific manufacturer's equipment. According to CompTIA's official page, the N10-009 exam covers five domains:

Domain	Weight	Key Topics
Networking Fundamentals	24%	OSI model, TCP/IP, ports, protocols, IP addressing
Network Implementation	19%	Routing, switching, wireless standards, WAN technologies
Network Operations	16%	Monitoring, documentation, business continuity, disaster recovery
Network Security	19%	Hardening, VPNs, firewalls, ACLs, wireless security
Network Troubleshooting	22%	Methodology, cable testing, command-line tools, performance issues

Key takeaway: Network+ gives you a broad foundation in networking concepts that applies to any vendor — Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, Meraki, or cloud networking. It's the networking equivalent of CompTIA Security+ in cybersecurity: the universal baseline.

What CCNA (200-301) Actually Tests

CCNA goes deeper and is Cisco-specific. With Cisco commanding approximately 77% of the enterprise networking market (CSIMarket, 2025), knowing Cisco IOS commands and architecture is a concrete job skill, not just theory.

Domain	Weight	Key Topics
Network Fundamentals	20%	TCP/IP, OSI, IPv4/IPv6, wireless, switching concepts
Network Access	20%	VLANs, EtherChannel, STP, 802.1Q, Cisco wireless
IP Connectivity	25%	Static/dynamic routing, OSPF, first-hop redundancy
IP Services	10%	NAT, NTP, DHCP, DNS, SNMP, QoS concepts
Security Fundamentals	15%	Port security, AAA, ACLs, Layer 2 security
Automation & Programmability	10%	REST APIs, Cisco DNA Center, JSON, configuration management

Key takeaway: CCNA requires you to configure actual Cisco equipment (or simulated labs). You'll need to know IOS CLI commands, OSPF configuration, VLAN trunking, and increasingly, network automation with APIs. This hands-on depth is why CCNA commands higher salaries.

Pass Rates: Network+ Is Significantly Easier

Neither CompTIA nor Cisco officially publishes pass rates, but training provider estimates from CIAT (2025) suggest Network+ has a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 70–75%, while CCNA sits at roughly 50–60%.

The gap makes sense: CCNA covers more material in more depth, requires hands-on CLI configuration knowledge, and has a higher passing threshold (825/1000 vs 720/900). If you're new to networking, Network+ is the gentler on-ramp.

Study Time: Budget 2x More for CCNA

According to CBT Nuggets and StationX, study time estimates break down like this:

Cisco recommends 200+ hours of study for CCNA, and StationX reports that 33% of CCNA candidates study for five months or more. The extra time is largely spent on lab work — you need hands-on practice with Cisco IOS commands, which Network+ doesn't require.

Who Should Take Network+ First

Network+ is the right starting point for the majority of people new to networking. Choose it if:

• You're transitioning into IT from another field with no networking background
• You work in helpdesk or desktop support and want to move into network administration
• You need a vendor-neutral certification — your employer uses Juniper, Aruba, or mixed environments
• You're targeting DoD or government roles (Network+ meets DoD 8570 requirements)
• You plan to follow the CompTIA pathway: A+ → Network+ → Security+ → CySA+

Network+ also pairs well with CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) — in fact, CompTIA recommends having Network+ before attempting Security+.

Who Should Take CCNA First

CCNA is the better first choice if you already have some IT experience and want to specialize. Choose it if:

• You work in a Cisco shop or your employer's infrastructure is Cisco-based
• You want to become a network engineer, not just a network administrator
• You already understand subnetting, OSI model, and basic TCP/IP from work experience
• You're targeting higher-paying roles ($95K+ average vs $78K for Network+)
• You plan to pursue CCNP or CCIE — Cisco's advanced certifications require CCNA as a foundation

Career Paths & Job Titles

After Network+	After CCNA
Network Administrator	Network Engineer
Junior Systems Administrator	Cisco Network Specialist
IT Support Specialist	NOC Engineer
Helpdesk Tier 2	Infrastructure Engineer
Cable Technician / Field Tech	Cloud Network Engineer
Technical Support Engineer	Senior Network Administrator

The BLS reports that network and computer systems administrators held 331,500 jobs in 2024, with approximately 14,300 openings projected annually through 2034 — primarily from workers retiring or transitioning (BLS, 2024). That's a steady pipeline of positions to fill.

Job Market: CCNA Listings Lead by Volume

As of April 2026, Indeed shows approximately 4,186 job listings mentioning CCNA, with Glassdoor reporting 2,619 network engineer positions requiring or preferring the certification. Network+ listings are slightly fewer but appear more frequently in government and multi-vendor environments.

The Optimal Path: Can You Take Both?

Yes — and many networking professionals do. The most common progression:

1. CompTIA A+ — Proves general IT competency (optional if you have experience)
2. Network+ — Builds vendor-neutral networking fundamentals
3. CCNA — Adds Cisco-specific depth and higher earning potential
4. Security+ or CCNP — Specialize in security or advanced Cisco networking

The overlap between Network+ and CCNA is roughly 40–50% on fundamental topics (OSI model, subnetting, routing basics). If you pass Network+ first, your CCNA study time drops significantly because the conceptual foundation is already in place.

Have practice exam files for either certification? Upload your VCE or PDF to our free simulator — no signup, no fees, 100% private. Or check if you're ready for the security side with our free Security+ practice test.

Renewal & Continuing Education

Both certifications expire after three years. Here's what renewal looks like:

Requirement	Network+	CCNA
Renewal Period	3 years	3 years
CE Credits Required	30 CEUs	30 CE credits
Alternative	Pass a higher CompTIA cert	Pass CCNA again or a higher Cisco cert
Renewal Fee	$175 (CompTIA CE program)	Included with CE credits

CompTIA's renewal process is straightforward — earn CEUs through training, webinars, or higher certifications. Cisco offers multiple paths including their continuing education portal. Either way, staying current is essential — networking technologies evolve fast.

FAQ

Is CCNA harder than Network+?

Yes, significantly. CCNA has a lower estimated pass rate (~50–60% vs ~70–75% for Network+), covers more material, and requires hands-on knowledge of Cisco IOS commands. The exam is also longer — 120 minutes with up to 120 questions compared to Network+'s 90 minutes and 90 questions.

Can I skip Network+ and go straight to CCNA?

Yes. CCNA has no prerequisites. If you already understand subnetting, OSI layers, and basic networking concepts from work experience, going straight to CCNA is a valid path — and it'll save you the $369 Network+ exam fee. Just be prepared for a steeper learning curve.

Which cert has better ROI?

CCNA delivers better salary ROI. At $330 exam cost and a $95K average salary, CCNA's cost-to-earnings ratio beats Network+ ($369 exam, $78K average). However, Network+ has a higher pass rate, so your risk of failing and paying twice is lower. Factor in your experience level when deciding.

Does Network+ count toward Security+?

Network+ doesn't formally waive any Security+ requirements, but CompTIA recommends having Network+ before attempting Security+ (SY0-701). About 25% of Security+ content overlaps with networking concepts covered in Network+.

Are networking certifications still worth it in 2026?

Yes. The BLS reports 14,300 annual job openings for network administrators through 2034. While cloud computing is shifting some roles, networks still need to be designed, secured, and troubleshot — especially in hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Both Network+ and CCNA remain among the most requested certifications in IT job listings.

Start Practicing Today — Free

Whether you're targeting Network+ or CCNA, practice exams are the most effective study method. Upload your practice files to our free VCE player and start testing instantly — no downloads, no signup, no fees.

Exploring other certifications? Browse our certification guides for free resources across CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, and Azure paths. Or jump straight into our Security+ practice exam to see how CertQuiz works.

Already have your networking cert and thinking about security? Read our Security+ vs CySA+ comparison to plan your next move.