How much does CCNP certification cost?

CCNP Enterprise requires two exams: the core exam (350-401 ENCOR, $400) and one concentration exam ($300). Total exam cost: $700. Study materials add $200–$400. Total cost: $900–$1,100. There's no CCNA prerequisite since 2020 — candidates can go directly to CCNP. Cisco Learning Credits can offset costs for corporate training budgets.

How much more does CCNP pay compared to CCNA?

CCNP holders average $113,000–$130,000 versus $83,000–$95,000 for CCNA holders — a premium of $25,000–$35,000 above CCNA. The gap is larger at enterprise companies and government agencies with complex network infrastructure. Cloud networking roles with CCNP + cloud cert combinations (AWS + CCNP) are among the highest-paying networking positions at $130,000–$160,000.

Is CCNP harder than CCNA?

Significantly harder. CCNP Enterprise's core exam (ENCOR) covers advanced routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), SD-WAN, network automation, and infrastructure security at a level that assumes 3–5 years of networking experience. CCNA is a foundational cert. Most CCNP candidates spend 4–6 months preparing after completing CCNA, though candidates with strong hands-on experience can prepare faster.

What is the payback period for CCNP?

CCNP payback runs 5–7 months from the incremental salary gain above CCNA. Total cost of $1,000 against a $30,000 annual increase gives a monthly benefit of $2,500 and payback under 5 months. The longer preparation time (4–6 months) extends the true time-to-payback, but once you're in a CCNP-level role, the financial return is substantial.

Should I get CCNP or pursue cloud certifications instead?

Depends on your career direction. CCNP is the right path if you're targeting network engineering roles at enterprises, ISPs, or government agencies with physical and SD-WAN infrastructure. Cloud certs (AWS, Azure) pay better on average and have higher job volume in 2026. If you already have CCNA and want the fastest path to $120,000+, AWS Solutions Architect Associate takes 2–3 months vs. 4–6 months for CCNP, and the salary premium is similar. CCNP + cloud cert combination is the highest-paying path for network engineers.

CCNP Certification Cost & ROI

CCNP adds $25,000–$35,000 above CCNA salary at enterprise companies. Two exams, $700 in fees, 4–6 months prep. Here's whether it's worth it over cloud certifications.

CCNP Enterprise — Exam Structure and Costs

Exam	Code	Fee	Notes
ENCOR (Core)	350-401	$400	Required for all CCNP Enterprise
Concentration Exam	Various	$300	Choose: Advanced Routing, SD-WAN, Wireless, etc.
Study materials	—	$200–$400	Udemy + OCG Study Guide
Total Cost (self-study)	—	$900–$1,100	—

CCNA avg salary

$83,000

CCNP avg salary

$113,000

Payback period

~5 months

Salary data: BLS OEWS, Cisco Salary Survey, Global Knowledge IT Skills Report 2025.

CCNP or Cloud Certifications: The Honest Comparison

CCNP is the right choice if you're building a career in enterprise network engineering, network architecture, or infrastructure operations at organizations that own and manage complex physical or SD-WAN networks. At enterprise companies (hospitals, banks, telcos, government agencies), CCNP is close to a hiring requirement for senior networking roles.

Cloud certifications have higher overall demand. AWS Solutions Architect Associate takes 2–3 months versus 4–6 months for CCNP, and the salary premium is comparable ($36,000 for AWS SA Associate vs. $30,000 above CCNA for CCNP). The job volume difference is significant — there are roughly 5x more cloud architect job postings than senior network engineer postings.

The highest-paying networking roles combine both: CCNP Enterprise + AWS Advanced Networking Specialty or CCNP + Azure Network Engineer commands $140,000–$180,000 in enterprise and cloud networking roles. If you're targeting hybrid infrastructure, building CCNP as a foundation and adding cloud network certifications on top has compelling ROI.

CCNP Study Path

Kevin Wallace's CCNP ENCOR course on Udemy ($20–$25 on sale) and the official Cisco OCG guide cover the core exam material. For the concentration exam, choose the track that aligns with your work: Advanced Routing (ENARSI) for routing-heavy environments, SD-WAN for Cisco SD-WAN deployments, or Wireless for enterprise WiFi roles. Boson's practice exams are the most widely recommended for both ENCOR and concentration exams.

Your CCNP Payback Calculator

Current Annual Salary (CCNA level)

Study Path

Common Questions

Do I need CCNA before CCNP?

No. Cisco removed the CCNA prerequisite for CCNP in 2020. You can take CCNP exams directly without CCNA. That said, CCNP assumes deep networking knowledge that CCNA builds — most candidates who skip CCNA struggle significantly with CCNP material. If you already have equivalent experience (network engineering job for 2+ years), you can go directly to CCNP.

How long does CCNP last before renewal?

CCNP certifications are valid for 3 years. Renewal options: pass any current core exam, pass any Cisco professional or expert exam, pass two Cisco specialist exams, complete 30 Continuing Education credits, or pass a current version of the same certification. Passing the CCIE exam (any track) recertifies all your Cisco credentials.

Which CCNP concentration exam should I choose?

Choose based on your current role: ENARSI (Advanced Routing) for environments heavy on routing protocols and route manipulation; SD-WAN for Cisco SD-WAN/Viptela deployments; Wireless for enterprise WiFi; Automation for network programmability roles. Advanced Routing (ENARSI) is the most commonly held concentration and the most broadly applicable to traditional enterprise networks.

ROI Calculator CCNA ROI CompTIA vs CCNA AWS Certification ROI Best ROI Rankings

Data: BLS OEWS, Cisco Certification Guide, Global Knowledge IT Skills Report 2025. Updated March 2026.

Data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Official Certification Body Fee Schedules, O*NET Occupation Data

Last updated: January 2025

How we calculate this · Payback calculations assume you qualify for and secure a role that values the certification. Outcomes vary by employer, region, and experience level.