Network+ vs CCNA: Which One Gets You Hired?

You’ve decided to get serious about networking. You’ve done some research. And now you’re stuck in certification purgatory, comparing two exams that seem to cover similar material but cost different amounts and lead to different outcomes.

CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA?

The internet is full of people telling you to “just get both” or “it depends on your goals”—which is technically true but completely unhelpful when you’re trying to decide where to invest your time and money right now.

So here’s a straight answer: If you want to specialize in networking and chase higher salaries, get the CCNA. If you need a broad foundation that applies across different IT roles, get Network+.

But that oversimplifies things. The real answer depends on where you’re starting from, what jobs you’re targeting, and how much time you have. This guide breaks down everything you need to make the right call. (For broader certification strategy, see our IT certifications hub.)

Quick Comparison: Network+ vs CCNA at a Glance

Before diving into the details, here’s what you’re choosing between:

Factor	CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)	Cisco CCNA (200-301)
Exam Cost	$369	$330
Exam Length	90 minutes, up to 90 questions	120 minutes, ~100 questions
Passing Score	720/900 (~80%)	Not disclosed (~82-85% estimated)
Validity	3 years	3 years
Focus	Vendor-neutral networking fundamentals	Cisco-specific implementation
Difficulty	Moderate (5-6/10)	Challenging (7-8/10)
Study Time	40-80 hours	100-200 hours
Average Salary Impact	$73,000-$82,000	$78,000-$105,000

The cost difference is interesting—CCNA is actually cheaper despite being more advanced. Cisco wants people in their ecosystem.

What Each Certification Actually Covers

CompTIA Network+ Content

Network+ teaches you to think about networking abstractly. The exam covers:

Network architecture: Topologies, infrastructure devices, cloud concepts
Network security: Firewalls, VPNs, authentication methods
Network operations: Monitoring, documentation, disaster recovery
Network troubleshooting: Systematic problem-solving, tools, common issues
Network services: DHCP, DNS, NTP, and how they work together

The key word is concepts. You learn what a VLAN does without configuring one on a specific vendor’s equipment. You understand why subnetting matters without memorizing Cisco IOS commands.

This vendor-neutral approach has real value. If your job involves multiple platforms—Dell switches, Ubiquiti access points, pfSense firewalls, cloud networking—Network+ knowledge transfers everywhere.

Cisco CCNA Content

CCNA teaches you to configure networks using Cisco equipment. The exam covers:

Network fundamentals: Similar to Network+ but with Cisco context
Network access: Switch configuration, VLANs, trunking
IP connectivity: Routing protocols (OSPF), static routes, IPv4/IPv6
IP services: NAT, DHCP on Cisco devices, SNMP, QoS
Security fundamentals: Access lists, device hardening, VPNs
Automation and programmability: REST APIs, Ansible, Python basics

The 2020 CCNA update added automation topics that make the cert more relevant for modern network engineering. You’re not just learning CLI commands—you’re learning how to automate them.

CCNA expects you to configure things. Simulated lab questions require you to actually type Cisco IOS commands and verify configurations work.

The Real Difficulty Difference

Network+ has an estimated 70-75% pass rate on the first attempt. CCNA’s first-attempt pass rate? Some sources suggest it’s around 50-60%, though Cisco doesn’t release official numbers.

Why the gap?

Network+ tests recognition. You need to know what things are and why they matter. Most questions are multiple-choice where the correct answer is clearly correct if you know the material.

CCNA tests application. You need to know how to do things. The performance-based questions don’t ask “What command shows the routing table?”—they put you in a simulated environment and expect you to troubleshoot why OSPF neighbors aren’t forming.

Here’s a practical example of the difference:

Network+ style question: Which layer of the OSI model handles routing? A) Layer 2 B) Layer 3 C) Layer 4 D) Layer 7

CCNA style question: Users in VLAN 10 cannot reach the server in VLAN 20. The switch is configured correctly. What command would you use on the router to verify the inter-VLAN routing configuration, and what would you look for in the output?

One tests memory. The other tests skills.

Career Paths: Where Each Cert Takes You

Network+ Career Trajectory

Network+ is a stepping stone, not a destination. It validates that you understand networking well enough to:

Work help desk or desktop support with networking responsibilities
Move into junior network administrator roles
Qualify for jobs requiring “networking knowledge” without specifying Cisco
Prepare for CompTIA Security+ (they share significant overlap)

Companies that value Network+ include government agencies (it meets DoD 8570 requirements for certain roles), MSPs managing diverse client environments, and organizations running mixed vendor networks.

The limitation: Network+ alone rarely qualifies you for dedicated network engineer positions. It’s a supporting cert, not a primary one.

Typical Network+ job titles:

IT Support Specialist
Junior Network Administrator
Help Desk Technician (Tier 2)
NOC Technician
Field Service Technician

CCNA Career Trajectory

CCNA opens doors to networking-specific roles, especially at Cisco shops (which is roughly half of enterprise networking infrastructure).

The cert proves you can actually configure and troubleshoot network equipment, which matters because networking mistakes bring down entire organizations.

CCNA holders can realistically target:

Network Engineer
Network Administrator
Systems Engineer (networking focus)
NOC Engineer
Pre-sales Engineer

CCNA is also the foundation for Cisco’s entire certification track. If you eventually want CCNP or a specialization like DevNet, you start here. For a deeper analysis of whether the CCNA is worth pursuing, see our complete CCNA guide.

Salary reality check: CCNA-certified network engineers earn $78,000-$130,000 depending on experience and location. That’s 15-30% more than Network+ holders in similar roles.

Study Time Reality Check

Network+ Timeline

CompTIA suggests 9-12 months of IT experience before attempting Network+. In terms of actual study hours:

Complete beginner: 80-120 hours
IT support experience: 40-60 hours
Some networking exposure: 20-40 hours

At 10 hours per week, most people pass Network+ in 1-2 months.

CCNA Timeline

Cisco recommends understanding networking fundamentals before attempting CCNA. The study investment:

Complete beginner: 200-300 hours
Network+ holder: 100-150 hours
Working network admin: 80-100 hours

At 10 hours per week, expect 3-6 months of preparation.

The CCNA study process also costs more in hidden ways. You need lab practice, which means either:

Physical Cisco equipment (expensive, takes up space)
Cisco Packet Tracer (free but limited)
GNS3 or EVE-NG (free but requires images)
Cloud lab subscriptions (ongoing cost)

Network+ can be studied almost entirely from books and videos since it’s conceptual.

The “Get Both” Question

A common recommendation is to get Network+ first, then CCNA. The logic: Network+ builds foundational knowledge, CCNA adds practical skills.

When this makes sense:

You have zero networking experience
Your current job doesn’t involve networking
You have time to build skills gradually
You want the DoD compliance box checked

When this is overkill:

You already work with networks (even basic)
You’re specifically targeting Cisco environments
You need to demonstrate value quickly
Budget or time is limited

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: if you can pass CCNA, you already know everything on Network+. There’s no technical reason to have both except for resume padding and DoD requirements.

If you have CompTIA A+ and some IT experience, skipping straight to CCNA is reasonable. You’ll learn the fundamentals while learning the implementation.

Cost Breakdown: Total Investment

Network+ Total Cost

Item	Cost
Exam voucher	$369
Study materials (books/courses)	$50-200
Practice tests	$30-100
Total	$450-670

Budget option: Use Professor Messer’s free videos, buy one practice test, take the exam. Under $400 total.

CCNA Total Cost

Item	Cost
Exam voucher	$330
Official Cert Guide (2 volumes)	$65-95
Lab environment	$0-300
Practice tests	$50-150
Video course	$0-300
Total	$445-1,175

Budget option: Use Packet Tracer for labs, watch Jeremy’s IT Lab on YouTube, use free practice questions. Under $500 total.

The exam retake policy matters here. Network+ costs $369 per attempt. CCNA costs $330 per attempt with a mandatory 5-day waiting period between failures.

Making the Decision: A Framework

Answer these questions honestly:

1. What’s your current experience level?

Zero IT experience: Consider A+ first, then decide between Network+ and CCNA
Help desk/support background: Either cert works; choose based on career goals
Some networking exposure: CCNA is probably more valuable
Working with Cisco gear: CCNA, no question

2. What job are you targeting?

General IT support with networking duties: Network+
Dedicated network admin/engineer: CCNA
Government/DoD positions: Check specific requirements; often Network+ is sufficient
MSP with varied clients: Network+ gives flexibility
Enterprise network team: CCNA is expected

3. How much time can you commit?

Less than 2 months: Network+
3-6 months: Either works
6+ months available: CCNA for maximum value

4. What comes next?

Security path (Security+, CySA+): Network+ first
Cloud path (AWS, Azure): Either, then cloud certs
Networking specialization (CCNP): CCNA is required
DevOps/automation: CCNA’s new automation content is relevant

Study Resources: Where to Start

Network+ Recommended Path

Video course: Professor Messer’s free N10-009 course or CBT Nuggets
Book: CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide by Mike Meyers
Practice: Dion Training practice tests, Professor Messer practice questions
Labs: Shell Samurai for Linux networking and command line fundamentals

For hands-on networking practice, you’ll want to understand networking basics and get comfortable with command line tools.

CCNA Recommended Path

Video course: Jeremy’s IT Lab (free, thorough) or CBT Nuggets
Book: CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library by Wendell Odom
Labs: Packet Tracer (free from Cisco), GNS3, or Boson NetSim
Practice: Boson ExSim (industry standard), Pearson practice tests

The lab component is non-negotiable for CCNA. Reading about OSPF won’t help you configure it under exam pressure.

What Employers Actually Think

Having reviewed how certifications affect hiring decisions, here’s what stands out:

Network+ perception: “This person understands networking concepts and probably won’t make embarrassing mistakes.” It’s a safe credential that checks a box.

CCNA perception: “This person can configure and troubleshoot our network equipment.” It demonstrates practical skills.

In job postings, you’ll see:

“Network+ or equivalent” — vendor-neutral roles
“CCNA required” — Cisco shops, network engineer positions
“CCNA preferred” — they want proof of real skills but might accept alternatives

The salary difference (roughly $10,000-$25,000 annually) reflects this perception gap. CCNA holders are expected to do more, and they’re paid accordingly.

The Honest Answer

If you’re reading this trying to decide, here’s the straightforward guidance:

Get Network+ if:

You’re early in your IT career and building foundations
Your job involves mixed-vendor environments
You need DoD compliance
You’re heading toward security, not network engineering
Budget or time is extremely limited

Get CCNA if:

You want to be a network engineer, not just “IT with networking”
Your target companies use Cisco (check job postings)
You can commit 100+ hours to study
You want the higher salary ceiling
You’re willing to invest in lab practice

Skip to CCNA if:

You already have Network+ and want to advance
You’ve been doing IT support and learned networking basics on the job
Your current role already involves basic switch/router configuration

Neither cert is wrong. They serve different purposes and lead to different outcomes. The mistake is picking based on what’s easier rather than what gets you where you want to go. If you’re still figuring out which certification path makes sense for your situation, our guide on choosing the right IT certification can help.

What Comes After?

Once you have either certification, the path forward looks like this:

After Network+:

Security+ for security track
CCNA for deeper networking
Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure)
Help desk to sysadmin progression

After CCNA:

CCNP Enterprise for senior network roles
DevNet for network automation
Cloud certifications with networking focus
Network engineer positions with real responsibility

Both certifications expire after three years. Plan for continuing education or higher-level certs to maintain your credentials.

Making Your Move

The networking field isn’t going anywhere. Cloud computing didn’t eliminate network engineers—it just changed what they configure. Someone still has to design, implement, and troubleshoot connectivity.

Whether you choose Network+ or CCNA, you’re investing in a skill set that matters. The worst choice is analysis paralysis—spending months debating instead of studying.

Pick one. Start today. You can always add the other cert later if your career requires it.

For practice building foundational Linux and command line skills that support either certification path, try Shell Samurai. Networking doesn’t happen in a vacuum—you’ll need those terminal skills regardless of which cert you pursue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CCNA harder than Network+?

Yes. CCNA has a lower pass rate, longer exam duration, and requires hands-on configuration skills rather than just concept recognition. Most candidates find CCNA requires 2-3x the study time of Network+. The difficulty difference is real, but so is the salary difference.

Can I get a networking job with just Network+?

You can get networking-adjacent jobs—IT support roles with networking responsibilities, junior admin positions, NOC technician roles. Pure network engineer positions typically require CCNA or equivalent experience. Network+ opens doors; CCNA opens more.

Is Network+ worth it if I already have CCNA?

Generally no, unless you need it for DoD compliance or a specific job requirement. CCNA demonstrates everything Network+ does plus more. Adding Network+ to a CCNA doesn’t significantly improve your resume.

How long does CCNA really take to pass?

For someone with IT experience but limited networking background: 3-6 months of consistent study at 10-15 hours per week. Complete beginners might need 6-12 months. The range is wide because lab practice time varies significantly between learners.

Do employers prefer Network+ or CCNA?

It depends on the role. General IT positions and government jobs often accept Network+. Dedicated network engineer positions strongly prefer or require CCNA. Check actual job postings in your target area to see what employers want.