In the fast-paced world of IT, obtaining the best networking certification is crucial for IT professional aiming to enhance their skills and advance their careers.
A Networking certificate not only validates your expertise but also significantly increases your earning potential. For instance, certified network engineers can earn up to 20% more than their non-certified peers.
In this article, we have provided the top 8 networking certifications in 2025 that can help you launch or elevate your career as a network engineer. You can also check out networking courses where we provide certification training.
Networking certifications are credentials that validate a professional's expertise in designing, implementing, and managing computer networks. These certifications equip individuals with the skills necessary to handle various networking technologies and enhance their career prospects in the IT field.
With a projected 9% growth in networking jobs over the next decade, network certifications like Cisco's CCNA and CompTIA Network+ are more valuable than ever.
Most of the networking certifications are given to candidates after they have cleared the respective certification exam. These exams also cost a certain fee, so that only qualified individuals can get the certification.
Some examples of networking certifications are CCNA, CCNP, JNCIA, CompTIA Network+, etc.
Here is a list of the best networking certifications for beginners and experienced professionals, along with their provider and certification level.
Certification Name | Provider | Certification Level |
---|---|---|
CompTIA Network+ | CompTIA | Foundation |
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) | Cisco | Foundation |
Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIA) | Juniper Networks | Foundation |
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) | Cisco | Professional |
Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) | Check Point | Associate |
AWS Certified Advanced Networking | Amazon Web Services | Professional |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate | Microsoft | Associate |
VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization (VCP-NV) | VMware | Professional |
Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) | Cisco | Associate |
CWNA - Certified Wireless Network Administrator | CWNP | Foundation |
Here are the 8 best networking certifications that you can get to boost your career.
CCNA, or Cisco Certified Network Associate, is a beginner-level certification from Cisco. It teaches network engineers the basic skills needed to manage, troubleshoot, configure, and maintain networks.
In the past, CCNA had different certifications for areas like cloud and routing. Now, it has been simplified into one exam that covers all these topics, making it more relevant and challenging.
Check out Live CCNA Training class to prepare for the CCNA certification exam
CCNA Certification Exam Details
● Exam Code: CCNA 200-301
● Exam Duration: 120 minutes
● Available Languages: English & Japanese
● Conducted by: Cisco
● Exam Fees: 300 USD
● The validity of Certification: 3 years
CCNP, or Cisco Certified Network Professional, is a professional-level certification offered by Cisco. It validates the skills needed for configuring, installing, troubleshooting, and managing networks at a more advanced level than CCNA.
CCNP includes various specialized certifications, allowing professionals to focus on specific areas such as security, data center, or service provider networks.
To earn the CCNP certification, candidates must pass a core exam and one concentration exam
6. Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional
CCNP Certification courses offered by UniNets:
● CCNP Service Provider Course
CCIE, or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert, is the highest-level certification offered by Cisco. It is known for being very challenging and recognizes experts in the networking field. CCIE-certified professionals are skilled at handling complex network devices, troubleshooting issues, and designing networks.
The CCIE certification is the domain specified, hence it has several certification options, such as CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCIE Enterprise Wireless, CCIE Collaboration, CCIE security, CCIE Data Center, and CCIE service provider.
CCIE Certification Courses on UniNets:
● CCIE Enterprise Wireless Training Course
● CCIE Security Course Live Online Training
● CCIE Data Center Course: DC Live Online
● CCIE Collaboration Live Online Course
CompTIA Network+ is a foundational certification for IT professionals, focusing on essential networking skills. It covers a wide range of important topics, including network design, configuration, management, and troubleshooting.
This certification is ideal for beginners and helps candidates secure entry-level jobs in networking. It is vendor-neutral, meaning it applies to various technologies and platforms.
CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Details
● Exam Code: N10-007
● Duration of time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
● Format of exam: MCQ, performance-based, and drag and drop.
● Number of Questions: 90 questions per exam
● Language: English, German, Japanese (coming soon: Portuguese, Spanish)
● Conducted by: Pearson VUE
● Exam Fees: USD 338
● The validity of certification: 3 years
The Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) certification is designed for IT professionals who want to validate their skills in managing Check Point security solutions.
This certification covers essential Check Point technology and security administration tasks, making it ideal for beginners in the field.
CCSA Certification Exam Details
● Exam Code: 156-215.81
● Duration of time: 90 minutes
● Format of exam: Multiple choice questions
● Number of Questions: Approximately 80 questions per exam
● Language: English, German, Japanese (additional languages may be available)
● Conducted by: Pearson VUE
● Exam Fees: USD 250
● Validity of certification: 2 years
The CCSA certification serves as a foundational step for advancing in the Check Point certification path, paving the way for more advanced certifications such as the Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE).
Check out Checkpoint Courses
● Checkpoint CCSA Training Live Online
The JNCIA-Junos certification is designed for networking professionals with beginner to intermediate knowledge of networking. It validates your understanding of the core functionality of the Juniper Networks Junos OS.
This certification serves as the baseline for multiple certification tracks, including Enterprise Routing and Switching and Service Provider Routing and Switching.
Juniper Networks Certified Associate Certification Exam Details
Exam Code: JN0-104
Exam Duration: 90 minutes
Available Languages: English
Conducted by: Juniper Networks
Exam Fees: $200 USD
Validity of Certification: 3 years
The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification validates expertise in complex networking tasks on AWS. It requires deep knowledge of AWS security, storage, and networking services, and is ideal for those with significant experience in architecting AWS network solutions.
AWS Certified Advanced Networking Certification Exam Details
Exam Code: ANS-C01
Exam Duration: 170 minutes
Available Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese
Conducted by: AWS
Exam Fees: $300 USD
Validity of Certification: 3 years
The VCTA-NV certification validates foundational knowledge and skills in network virtualization using VMware NSX technologies. It is suitable for entry-level professionals interested in working with network virtualization technologies.
VMware Certified Technical Associate Certification Exam Details
Exam Code: 1V0-41.20
Exam Duration: 90 minutes
Available Languages: English
Conducted by: VMware
Exam Fees: USD 125
Validity of Certification: 2 years
These were some of the most popular network certifications for network engineers. You can prepare for these certifications by visiting the training course links provided for each certification.
The table below shows the salaries of various networking certifications:
Certification | Average Salary in India (INR) | Average Salary in the US (USD) |
---|---|---|
CCNA | ₹2,817,967 | $95,000 |
CCNP | ₹1,183,775 | $101,804 |
CCIE | ₹2,000,000 - ₹3,000,000 | $130,000 - $150,000 |
CompTIA Network+ | ₹313,254 | $72,430 |
CCSA | ₹955,000 | $91,000 |
JNCIA-Junos | ₹600,000 | $93,000 |
AWS Certified Advanced Networking | ₹1,000,000 | $151,061 |
VCTA-NV | ₹1,000,000 | $87,000 |
Yes, getting a networking certification is worth it. A networking certificate gives you an advantage over non-certified peers, improving your skill set and earnings.
There are many benefits of getting a valid networking certificate:
● Enhanced career opportunities and access to a wider range of networking roles
● Higher earning potential, with certified professionals often commanding higher salaries and bonuses
● Industry recognition and respect from employers, peers, and clients
● Skill enhancement and knowledge update through the certification training process
● Foundation for advanced certifications and continued professional development
When considering the best networking certifications in 2025, several key options stand out. Cisco certifications, such as CCNA and CCNP, provide essential skills for networking professionals, while CompTIA Network+ offers a vendor-neutral foundation suitable for beginners.
Additionally, the Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) validates expertise in network security management. Pursuing these certifications can significantly enhance your career prospects, providing valuable knowledge and skills that are highly sought after in the ever-evolving IT landscape.
Investing in networking certificates can lead to increased employability and earning potential. So wisely choose the certification you want to pursue and you can get training in a wide variety of networking certifications training at UniNets.
Pankaj Sharma is a senior network security engineer. He is working since past 14 years in IT networking field and have excellent experience in training industry also. His working experience in top companies in India makes him most valuable professional in IT industry. Pankaj Sharma has done CCNA security, Palo Alto and Checkpoint ...
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