CCNA vs CompTIA Network+
CCNA commands a $7K/yr higher premium than Network+ despite a lower exam fee. CCNA is Cisco-specific but signals deeper networking knowledge. Network+ is the vendor-neutral starting point.
Compare ROI at Your Salary
Full Comparison: CCNA vs CompTIA Network+
# # Guidelines: # - 50-70 words (AI Overviews cite 50-70 word blocks most reliably — shorter gets skipped) # - Start with a direct answer sentence containing a specific number or fact # - Include at least 2 specific data points (dollar amounts, percentages, comparisons) # - Include location/context where applicable # - End with a personal-context hook ("use the calculator below to...") # - Do NOT use for H2s that label interactive form sections (calculator inputs, results) # - DO use for H2s that pose or imply a question readers would search for %>CCNA has a lower exam cost and higher salary premium than Network+. Unless you specifically need a vendor-neutral cert (government, education), CCNA is the stronger networking credential.
| Factor | CCNA | CompTIA Network+ |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | $330 | $358 |
| Annual premium | +$20,000/yr | +$13,000/yr |
| Payback | ~5 months | ~8 months |
| Vendor-neutral | No (Cisco-focused) | Yes |
| Cisco job market | Required for many Cisco roles | Not sufficient |
| DoD 8570 | No | Yes (IAT Level I) |
CCNA Pays More and Costs Less
On paper, CCNA is the clear winner: lower exam cost, higher premium, faster payback. The one exception is government/DoD work — Network+ satisfies DoD 8570 baseline requirements and CCNA doesn't.
Network+ Is the Baseline, Not the Destination
Network+ is widely used as a baseline verification that you understand networking fundamentals. Many IT hiring managers treat it as a prerequisite, not a differentiator. CCNA signals that you can actually configure and troubleshoot Cisco equipment — a skill with direct market value.