Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Cisco CCNA (200-301) | CompTIA Network+ |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Cisco | CompTIA |
| Level | Associate | Entry-level |
| Exam Cost | $330 | $358 |
| Avg Salary | $85,000 | $75,000 |
| Pass Rate | 60% | 78% |
| Study Hours | 200h | 80h |
| Difficulty | 7/10 | 4/10 |
| Job Listings | 35.0K | 28.0K |
Our Verdict
CCNA wins on salary ($85K vs $75K), job demand (35K vs 28K listings), and employer weight — it's the industry standard for networking roles and the gateway to CCNP/CCIE tracks. However, it requires 2.5x the study time (200 vs 80 hours) and has a significantly lower pass rate (60% vs 78%). Network+ is the smarter starting point if you're new to IT or want a vendor-neutral foundation before specializing. The most strategic path: get Network+ first to build fundamentals, then pursue CCNA within 6-12 months to unlock higher-paying roles. If you already have networking experience and know you want to work in Cisco environments, skip Network+ and go straight to CCNA.
Choose Cisco CCNA (200-301) if you...
- Want higher earning potential ($85K vs $75K avg)
- Want a lower exam cost ($330 vs $358)
- Want broader job market demand (35.0K listings)
- Focus on Cisco ecosystem and associate-level roles
Choose CompTIA Network+ if you...
- Prefer a more accessible exam (78% pass rate)
- Prefer a less challenging exam path (4/10 difficulty)
- Have limited study time (~80h vs ~200h)
- Focus on CompTIA ecosystem and entry-level-level roles
Deep Dive Into Each Certification
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip Network+ and go straight to CCNA?
Yes, especially if you have 6+ months of networking experience or strong self-study discipline. CCNA covers Network+ material and goes deeper into Cisco-specific technologies. However, the jump is significant — CCNA has a 60% pass rate vs Network+'s 78%. If you're completely new to networking, Network+ provides a gentler on-ramp.
Which certification do employers prefer?
For networking-specific roles (network engineer, network admin), employers strongly prefer CCNA because it validates hands-on Cisco skills used in most enterprise networks. For general IT roles (help desk, IT support, junior sysadmin), Network+ is widely accepted and often sufficient. In government and defense, both meet DoD 8570 requirements for different roles.
Do I need both CCNA and Network+?
Not necessarily, but having both maximizes your options. Network+ shows vendor-neutral breadth; CCNA shows Cisco-specific depth. If budget and time are limited, prioritize CCNA — it subsumes most Network+ knowledge and carries more weight. If you already have Network+, adding CCNA is a strong career accelerator with a realistic $10K salary bump.
Related Career Paths
Data Sources
- Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
- Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
- Pass rates — Community-reported estimates