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Category - Networking

Networking certifications for engineers who keep infrastructure running

Cisco dominates enterprise networking. CompTIA Network+ is the vendor-neutral foundation. Linux+ is the Linux administrator's entry credential. All four compared.

4
Certs covered
$118k
Top cert salary (CCNP)
77%
Network+ pass rate
Compare all certifications 
Certification
pass rate
Difficulty
Prep time
Exam cost
Salary uplift
Best for
Readiness Test for
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CompTIA Network+
CompTIA
77%
5 w $338 +31% Network support & entry-level engineers Check Network+ Readiness Explore →
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CCNA ★ Top pick
Cisco
72%
8 w $330 +35% Network engineers & Cisco environments Check CCNA Readiness Explore →
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CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR)
Cisco
62%
12 w $400 +34% Senior network engineers & architects Check ENCOR 350-401 Readiness Explore →
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CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA
74%
6 w $338 +40% Linux system administrators Check Linux+ Readiness Explore →
Career path sequences 
NOC Technician Network Architect
The Cisco career ladder. Clear progression with measurable salary jumps.
Network+ → CCNA → CCNP ENCOR
⏱ 4–7 year path · $118k+ potential
Linux Admin Cloud Network Engineer
Linux skills combined with cloud networking. Fastest-growing segment.
Linux+ → CCNA → AWS SAA-C03
⏱ 3–5 year path · $128k+ potential
Salary impact by certification 
Median salary before vs after certification - US market
CompTIA Network+
$55k
$72k
+31%
CCNA
$65k
$88k
+35%
CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR)
$88k
$118k
+34%
CompTIA Linux+
$68k
$95k
+40%
Is this category right for your goals? 
✅ You should certify in networking if…
You work in IT support and want to specialise in network engineering
You're in a NOC or network operations role targeting senior engineering
Your employer uses Cisco infrastructure - CCNA is the standard entry requirement
You want to combine networking with cloud or security skills
⚠️ Consider alternatives if…
You work primarily in cloud-native environments - AWS/Azure networking certs may be more relevant than Cisco
You want a broad security credential - start with Security+ rather than Network+
You're targeting software development - networking certs are less valued for developer roles
Explore our top-rated prep 
Frequently asked questions 
Yes - Cisco CCNA remains the most recognised networking certification globally and is required or preferred on the majority of network engineer job descriptions. The 2020 CCNA redesign merged multiple tracks into a single comprehensive exam covering networking fundamentals, automation, security and programmability. CCNA holders earn a median of $88,000.
CompTIA Network+ is faster and cheaper, and is the right choice if you want a vendor-neutral credential quickly or are in the early stages of an IT career. CCNA is harder, more expensive, but carries significantly more weight for networking roles specifically. If networking is your intended career, go for CCNA. If you want a general foundation while deciding your direction, Network+ first.
CompTIA Linux+ covers Linux administration, scripting, shell commands, system management, security and troubleshooting - all at a vendor-neutral level applicable to any Linux distribution. It is most valuable for system administrators, DevOps engineers starting their career, and anyone working with Linux-based infrastructure. It pairs well with CCNA or AWS certifications as a complementary credential.

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