What is higher than a CCNA?

Higher than a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) are the CCNP (Professional level) and CCIE (Expert level) certifications, representing increasing depth and specialization in network design, implementation, and troubleshooting, culminating in the pinnacle CCAr (Architect level). You move from the foundational Associate level (CCNA) to the specialized Professional (CCNP), then Expert (CCIE), and finally Architect (CCAr) for top-tier roles in the Cisco certification hierarchy.

Is CCNA or CCNP higher?

CCNA is an associate-level certification that evaluates a professional's understanding of switching and routing fundamentals. In contrast, CCNP is an advanced certification that demands a more in-depth knowledge of WANs, LANs, and their integration.

What is the next level after CCNA?

Pursuing CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) training is an excellent way to build on the foundational knowledge gained from CCNA and advance your career in the networking industry.

What are the 5 levels of Cisco certification?

Cisco has five main certification levels that build upon each other: Entry (e.g., CCST), Associate (e.g., CCNA, DevNet Associate), Professional (e.g., CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security), Expert (e.g., CCIE, CCDE), and the highest level, Architect (CCAr). This structure allows IT professionals to progress from foundational knowledge to specialized, expert-level skills in various technology tracks like Security, Data Center, Collaboration, and Wireless.
 

Is CCNA or CISSP harder?

The CISSP is generally considered more challenging than the CCNA due to its broad and in-depth coverage of cybersecurity topics and its requirement for extensive experience. The CCNA, focusing on networking and specifically Cisco systems, is more technical but narrower in scope.

What's the Difference Between Cisco's CCNA and the CCNP

Is CCNA still worth in 2025?

Yes, the CCNA is still very much worth it in 2025 for a networking career, offering essential foundational skills, strong job prospects in network administration and security, and a great ROI as a gateway to advanced certifications, despite the evolving landscape with cloud and automation. While some manual tasks are changing, the core understanding of network fundamentals provided by the CCNA remains critical for supporting modern, complex IT environments and cybersecurity roles, making it a valuable entry-point and foundational credential. 

What is the hardest IT certificate to get?

The CISSP is known as one of the toughest certifications due to its wide range of topics and the significant preparation it demands; it covers both technical and managerial aspects.

What is the highest paying Cisco certification?

The Top-Paying Cisco Certifications

• CCNP Data Center pays on average $152,793.
• CCNP Enterprise pays on average $144,912.
• Cisco Meraki Solutions Specialist pays on average $141,008.
• CCNP Collaboration pays on average $134,694.
• Cisco Certified Cybersecurity Associate pays on average $130,611.
• CCNA pays on average $112,333.

What jobs can you do after CCNA?

CCNA opens doors to positions such as Network Engineer, Network Administrator, Technical Support Engineer, and System Administrator. It also provides a strong foundation for advanced certifications and specialized fields like cybersecurity and cloud networking.

Is CCNA 200-301 entry-level?

The CCNA 200-301 exam is considered a comprehensive, entry-level assessment that covers a wide spectrum of networking knowledge. This includes both foundational theory and real-world practical skills.

What is the average CCNA job salary?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $135,000 and as low as $30,500, the majority of Ccna salaries currently range between $60,000 (25th percentile) to $103,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $123,500 annually across the United States.

Is CCNA changing in 2026?

Very helpful. In this regard, I came across the news that beginning Feb. 3, 2026, Cybersecurity certifications will get new names: CCNA Cybersecurity and CCNP Cybersecurity. Exam topics will remain the same.

Is CCNA equivalent to a degree?

They signal to recruiters that you have relevant knowledge and give you an advantage over candidates without a cert or degree. So, if they both provide similar benefits, is the CCNA equivalent to a degree? Not exactly. There are some scenarios where a CCNA won't act as a good substitute for a traditional degree.

What is the average salary for a CCNP?

How much does a Ccnp make? As of Jan 14, 2026, the average annual pay for a Ccnp in the United States is $109,336 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $52.57 an hour.

What is the fail rate for CCNA?

The exam is challenging, and according to Certstaffix, 95 percent of test takers fail on their first attempt. However, that shouldn't put you off because the overall pass rate is still around 85 percent, according to different sources.

How hard is CCNP after CCNA?

Certification exam complexity: CCNA requires passing one comprehensive exam (200-301), while CCNP demands success on both a core exam and a specialized concentration exam. This dual-exam structure immediately increases the CCNP exam challenge.

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree in roles like Dental/Medical Assistant (with short training), skilled trades (Electrician, HVAC), Delivery Driver (UPS, FedEx), specialized sales, Real Estate Agent, and some tech roles like AI Trainer or Medical Coder, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or a strong work ethic for entry, with remote options available in customer service or data entry if you have strong computer skills, notes www.nysmda.com, Tallo, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/3000-A-Month-Jobs-No-Degree. 

Is CCNA harder than Network+?

Yes, the Cisco CCNA is generally considered significantly harder than the CompTIA Network+ because it's vendor-specific, goes deeper into routing/switching with Cisco CLI commands, and requires more hands-on labs, whereas Network+ focuses on broad, vendor-neutral networking theory, making it a good entry point before tackling CCNA's in-depth, practical application. Network+ covers foundational concepts (like TCP/IP, subnets, Wi-Fi), while CCNA builds on this with specific protocols (OSPF, EIGRP) and configuring real equipment or simulators (Packet Tracer). 

Can I make $200,000 a year in cyber security?

Yes, making $200,000 a year in cybersecurity is achievable, especially in senior roles like CISO, Security Architect, or Lead Software Security Engineer, or with specialized skills in high-demand areas, though it's less common and typically requires significant experience, certifications, and potentially strategic career moves like moving into sales engineering or management. Entry-level to mid-level roles usually start lower, but a clear career path with continuous learning can lead to six-figure incomes and beyond, with some tech giants even offering $200k+ for early-career security engineers. 

What is the hardest Cisco certification?

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is widely regarded as Cisco's most challenging certification. Earning the CCIE requires passing both a rigorous written exam and an extensive eight-hour, hands-on lab exam.

What does CCIE stand for?

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification) is one of the most prestigious certifications in the networking industry. It proves that a candidate has achieved a high level of expertise in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex network infrastructures.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao (college entrance), India's IIT-JEE Advanced (engineering), and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam (government jobs), due to their extreme competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences, though other candidates like the All Souls Prize or Master Sommelier Diploma are also noted for extreme difficulty. These exams demand immense knowledge, analytical skills, and endurance, with failure often meaning significant setbacks, making them notoriously difficult.
 

What certification is in high demand?

Examples of the top certification courses in demand include those related to:

• Data science.
• Blockchain.
• DevOps.
• Cloud architecture.
• Business analytics.
• Cybersecurity.
• IT solutions.
• Artificial intelligence.

What is the most prestigious cybersecurity certification?

What Are the Best Cybersecurity Certifications?

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
• CompTIA Security+
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)