Is Cisco CCNA Worth It in 2026? Salary, Jobs & Alternatives Compared
Originally published on CertLand . The Cisco CCNA has been the entry-level benchmark for networking professionals since 1998, and the question of whether it remains relevant in an era of cloud-native infrastructure and software-defined networking comes up constantly in IT career forums. The short answer is yes — the CCNA is absolutely worth pursuing in 2026, but for a more specific set of career…
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) remains a relevant credential for networking professionals in 2026, despite the evolving landscape of cloud and software-defined networking. Cisco simplified its CCNA certification structure in 2020, consolidating all CCNA tracks into a single 200-301 exam. This change reflects the broader skill set required for modern network engineers.
The exam now tests a wider range of competencies, including security fundamentals, automation, and software-defined networking concepts, rather than deep specialization in a single domain.
The CCNA 200-301 exam covers six key domains, each with equal weight in the overall score. Network Fundamentals make up 20% of the exam, focusing on OSI model, TCP/IP, Ethernet, and IPv4/IPv6 addressing. Network Access accounts for another 20%, covering VLANs, trunk links, and WLAN configuration. IP Connectivity, with 25% weight, examines static routing, OSPFv2, and IPv6 routing.
IP Services, at 10%, includes NAT, DHCP, DNS, QoS, and SNMP. Security Fundamentals, comprising 15% of the exam, tests knowledge of threats, ACLs, and wireless security protocols. Finally, Automation and Programmability, weighing 10%, assesses network automation benefits, Python basics, REST APIs, and Ansible fundamentals.
To pass the CCNA exam, test-takers must achieve a score of 825 out of 1000, with a 120-minute duration and 100-120 questions. The fee is $330 USD, and the certification is valid for three years. The simulation questions, requiring hands-on configuration of devices, set the CCNA apart from paper-based certifications. While the CCNA 200-301 exam covers a broader range of topics, its automation domain, though smaller, signals the direction of the profession.
This section, while not a deep dive into automation, provides a foundational understanding that interviewers at modern enterprises increasingly seek, even for junior network engineer roles.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
