Is the AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty Worth It?
Strengths
- Strong earning potential with an average salary of $155,000
- Good job market demand with 12.0K active listings
Considerations
- Moderate exam investment at $300
- Challenging exam (9/10 difficulty) — requires significant preparation
- Substantial time investment at 350h of recommended study
- Lower pass rate (35%) — thorough preparation is essential
Bottom line: At $300 exam cost with an average salary of $155,000, the AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty offers a strong return on investment for cloud professionals.
Who Should Get the AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty?
This certification is a good fit if you are:
- Senior cloud professionals aiming for architect or lead roles
- Experienced practitioners seeking top-tier industry recognition
- Anyone targeting roles that list AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty as preferred or required
Exam Details
Exam CodeANS-C01
Exam Cost$300 USD
Duration170 minutes
Questions65
Passing Score750/1000
ProviderAWS
Difficulty9/10
Salary Data
Professionals holding the AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty certification earn between $125,000 and $195,000 annually, with an average of $155,000. For context, the AWS Solutions Architect Professional averages $155,000.
Job market demand trend: Growing (+10% YoY)
Prerequisites
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Professional recommended
- 5+ years of enterprise networking experience
- Deep knowledge of AWS networking services (VPC, Direct Connect, Route 53, CloudFront)
- Understanding of BGP, DNS, and hybrid connectivity patterns
Skills Covered
AWS VPC Advanced DesignDirect Connect and VPNRoute 53 DNS ArchitectureCloudFront and Global AcceleratorNetwork Security and FirewallsTransit GatewayNetwork AutomationHybrid Cloud Networking
Best Study Resources
Official
AWS Advanced Networking Specialty Exam Guide
CourseAdrian Cantrill Advanced Networking Course
Practice ExamsTutorials Dojo ANS-C01 Practice Exams
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take the AWS Advanced Networking Specialty?
This certification targets senior network engineers, cloud architects, and infrastructure specialists who design and maintain complex AWS networking environments. It is one of the most challenging AWS certifications and is best suited for professionals with deep hands-on experience in both traditional and cloud networking.
How does this differ from the AWS Networking Specialty?
The AWS Advanced Networking Specialty (ANS-C01) is the updated version of the original Networking Specialty exam. It includes expanded coverage of Transit Gateway, Network Firewall, AWS PrivateLink, and modern hybrid connectivity patterns, reflecting the current state of AWS networking services.
What salary can I expect with this certification?
AWS Advanced Networking Specialty holders command some of the highest salaries in cloud certifications, averaging $155K annually. Senior roles in large enterprises and consulting firms can exceed $195K. The niche expertise makes certified professionals highly valuable for complex multi-region and hybrid deployments.
How much does the AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty exam cost?
The AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty exam costs $300 USD. Additional costs may include study materials and practice exams, typically $50-$300 depending on the resources you choose. Some employers offer certification reimbursement programs that can offset this cost.
What jobs can I get with the AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty certification?
There are currently approximately 12,000 active US job listings that mention the AWS Certified Advanced Networking — Specialty certification. Market demand is growing (+10% yoy). Common roles include cloud positions at various experience levels. The certification is particularly valued by employers looking for validated skills from AWS.
Explore other options in cloud: AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, and more in our Cloud Certifications hub.
Data Sources & Transparency
- Salary data — Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and job posting aggregates (US median)
- Job listings — LinkedIn, Indeed, and Dice active postings (sampled quarterly)
- Pass rates — Community-reported estimates from Reddit, TechExams, and certification forums
- Exam details — AWS official certification documentation