CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate
The CCNA validates foundational networking skills for professionals aiming to design, implement, and troubleshoot modern networks.
- Exam fee
- $330
- Typical salary
- $80K–$110K
The CCNA is a solid stepping stone for anyone who wants to prove core networking competence and advance toward specialist tracks. If you already have extensive enterprise experience, a higher‑level Cisco certification may be a better fit.
What CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate covers
Industry standard for networking professionals. Covers routing, switching, security, and automation. Updated annually to stay current.
Key topics covered: Network fundamentals, IP connectivity & services, Security fundamentals, Automation & programmability, Wireless networking, WAN technologies.
Best suited for: Network administrators, IT infrastructure professionals, and engineers building network careers.
Common career paths: Network Engineer, Network Admin, Infrastructure Engineer, NOC Engineer, Cloud Network Engineer.
CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate exam details
Exam domains
- Network fundamentals
- IP connectivity & services
- Security fundamentals
- Automation & programmability
- Wireless networking
- WAN technologies
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $330
How to prepare for CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the official outline Review the CCNA exam domains and get comfortable with the key concepts listed in the official Cisco guide. | Week 1-2 |
| 2 | Hands‑on lab practice Set up routers, switches, and virtual labs to apply networking fundamentals, IP services, and security basics. | Week 3-4 |
| 3 | Deep‑dive into automation Explore basic programmability and automation tools that appear in the exam topics. | Week 5 |
| 4 | Timed practice exams Take full‑length practice tests to gauge readiness and identify any weak areas before the real exam. | Week 6 |
Jobs and salary with CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate
People holding this certification commonly report pay around $80K–$110K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.
Roles this certification supports
CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate questions answered
What is the CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate certification?
The CCNA validates foundational networking skills for professionals aiming to design, implement, and troubleshoot modern networks. It is issued by Cisco and sits in the Networking field.
Is CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate hard?
CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate is rated Intermediate. It assumes some foundational knowledge or entry-level experience.
How much does the CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate exam cost?
The listed exam fee is $330. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with Cisco before you book.
What salary can I expect with CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate?
Professionals with CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate commonly report pay in the $80K–$110K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.
How should I prepare for CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate?
Start with the official exam outline, build hands-on practice for each domain, then finish with timed practice questions. The study plan on this page breaks this into steps.
Alternatives to CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate
| Certification | Vendor | Level |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Network+ | CompTIA | Beginner |
| CCNP Enterprise | Cisco | Advanced |
| CCNP Data Center | Cisco | Advanced |
| CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure | Cisco | Advanced |
| JNCIA-Junos (Associate) | Juniper Networks | Beginner |