Cisco CCNA (200-301)

networking Associate Updated: 2025-04-10 Methodology

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA 200-301) validates your ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks. It covers networking fundamentals, IP connectivity, security basics, and automation — making it the industry's most recognized networking certification and a prerequisite for advanced Cisco tracks like CCNP and CCIE.

$85K
Avg Salary
60%
Pass Rate
35.0K
Job Listings
200h
Study Time
$330
Exam Cost

Exam Details

Exam Code200-301
Exam Cost$330 USD
Duration120 minutes
Questions100
Passing Score825/1000
ProviderCisco
Difficulty7/10

Salary Data

Professionals holding the Cisco CCNA (200-301) certification earn between $60,000 and $115,000 annually, with an average of $85,000.

Job market demand trend: Stable (+5% YoY)

Prerequisites

  • No formal prerequisites
  • CompTIA Network+ or equivalent knowledge recommended
  • Basic understanding of IP addressing and subnetting

Skills Covered

Networking FundamentalsIP ConnectivityIP ServicesSecurity FundamentalsAutomation and Programmability

Best Study Resources

Official

Cisco CCNA Official Cert Guide Library

 Course

Neil Anderson CCNA Course — Udemy

 Practice Exams

Boson ExSim CCNA Practice Exams

Comparisons Featuring Cisco CCNA (200-301)

CCNA vs AWS Advanced Networking Specialty

CCNA and AWS Advanced Networking Specialty represent two sides of modern networking — traditional infrastructure vs clou...

Cisco CCNA vs CompTIA Network+

CCNA and Network+ are the two certifications every aspiring network professional considers — but they serve different pu...

Career Paths With Cisco CCNA (200-301)

Network Engineer

Network engineers design, implement, and maintain the networking infrastructure that connects organi...

$65K - $140K +6% (2022-2032)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CCNA still worth it in 2025?
Absolutely. CCNA remains the gold standard for networking professionals. With 35K active job listings and an average salary of $85K, it continues to be one of the best ROI certifications in IT. Even as cloud networking grows, foundational networking knowledge validated by CCNA is essential for roles across infrastructure, cloud, and security.
How hard is the CCNA exam?
The CCNA is considered moderately difficult with a 60% pass rate. It covers a broad range of topics from routing and switching to automation and security. Most candidates need 200+ hours of study and hands-on lab practice. Using a network simulator like Packet Tracer or GNS3 is highly recommended.
Should I get CCNA or CompTIA Network+ first?
If you're new to networking, start with Network+ for vendor-neutral fundamentals, then pursue CCNA. If you already have networking experience or plan to work in Cisco environments, go directly for CCNA — it carries more weight with employers and leads to higher-paying roles.

Data Sources

  • Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
  • Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates (not official vendor data)
  • Exam details — Cisco official documentation