Popular Network Certifications to Level Up in 2025
Tech skills have been sought-after for ages now. But what can kick up your career is a certification. For network engineers, administrators, and security specialists, network certifications are a way to prove their knowledge and skills.
But there’s more - according to the latest SkillSoft IT Skills and Salary Report, IT professionals with certifications make more money than their non-certified peers. These network-related certifications are in network management, security, and cloud computing.
This article lists some of the most popular certifications for network and cloud professionals.
Can Network Certification Help Advance Your Career?
While there are ways to prove your expertise, none come closer to having a professional certification. You can have shiny references, a portfolio, and work experience. However, employers are increasingly wavering toward certifications. Some even use certifications as a job requirement.
According to one survey, 37% of IT professionals who earned a certification saw a pay raise. In the same study, 92% of certification candidates reported feeling more confident in their skills afterward.
Network certifications are also a way to reskill and upskill yourself. As technology constantly changes, studying for certifications and taking exams is a solid way to keep up. Similarly, certification is typically a good place to start for those in IT or another industry looking to transition to a career in network technology.
It’s safe to say that investing time, money, and effort into earning an IT certification is a step in the right direction.
Types of Network Certifications
Not all network certifications are the same, so knowing which one may best suit your situation is essential. There are roughly four different types of network-related IT certifications:
- Entry-Level Certifications: These certifications are for individuals just starting a career in the network. These are suitable for people currently studying IT or with some practical work experience. These certificates show that you have your basis covered.
- Cloud Networking Certifications: Cloud certifications are some of the most sought-after, mainly because of the wide adoption of cloud computing. Major cloud providers, including hyperscalers, have their own cloud professional certifications.
- Security-Focused Certification: Many in-demand IT certifications exclusively focus on cybersecurity. These certification test skills are related to threat detection, vulnerability management, and data security/privacy regulations compliance. Cybersecurity remains the most challenging talent to hire, making security-focused certification much more desirable.
- Advanced/Expert Network Certifications: These certifications are for IT network professionals with years of experience. These cover more complex concepts and topics in the field. Such exams and certifications can help professionals land leadership roles.
The Best Network Certifications to Get in 2025
Here are our recommendations for network certifications to help you earn a great salary, beat the competition, and advance your career.
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Cisco CCNA
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an all-around network certification that tests an individual’s knowledge of various network aspects. While beginners can also take the CCNA test, some experience is recommended to ace it on the first attempt.
It’s one of the industry's most widely recognized networking certifications. After all, it’s developed and administered by Cisco, the leading company in the networking space. It can help validate your skills in networking fundamentals, LAN switching, WAN routing, infrastructure security, and automation.
With a CCNA certification, IT professionals can land jobs as network administrators, network engineers, and help desk administrators.
To earn your CCNA certification, you must pass an exam covering various networking topics. You can prepare for CCNA with a course like PivIT’s Cisco CCNA Mastery Course. Created by seasoned professionals, it covers all the fundamental and advanced topics in networking.
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CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification typically suitable for professionals early in their careers. While it’s not exactly for beginners, it’s simple enough for those who have been working with networks for a few years.
It mostly covers foundational networking knowledge. With this certification, you can work in administrator, security, and troubleshooting roles with network management teams. It shows your ability to install, configure, troubleshoot, and secure network infrastructure.
Employers highly value this certification in various industries, including IT, telecommunications, and healthcare. It can also be a stepping stone to more advanced certifications like Cisco CCNA and CompTIA CySA+.
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Cisco CCNP
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is an advanced certification ideal for professionals with extensive experience. It’s also more of a specialization certification. It involves two exams—one core and one specific to a concentration. Here are the different CCNP certifications:
- CCNP Enterprise—focuses on enterprise network management
- CCNP Data Center—focuses on data center operations
- CCNP Security—focuses on network security
- CCNP Service Provider—focuses on IP network infrastructures
These certifications lead to some of the highest-paid jobs in networking. According to SkillSoft, a CCNP Security certification pays $168,159 a year. Employers are willing to pay top dollar for professionals with CCNP certifications because it shows valuable expertise.
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AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
While not strictly a networking certification, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is essential for anyone working in cloud computing, especially those involved in network architecture and design. This certification tests your understanding of AWS concepts, services, security, and pricing models.
This is a popular certification for beginners. If you don’t yet work in cloud computing, preparing for this certification is a great place to begin. More importantly, it can give you an edge over others if you’re trying to land a cloud computing job.
You have a higher chance of getting hired by a company using AWS cloud services. The more advanced specialty certifications from AWS are the next natural step. Those can nudge your career in the right direction and qualify for senior roles.
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VMware Certified Technical Associate (VCTA)
VMware VCTA is a foundational certification for VMware vSphere, a popular virtualization platform. It covers essential topics such as virtualization concepts, vSphere installation and configuration, virtual machine management, and storage and networking.
VCTA certification is ideal for individuals who are new to virtualization or want to enhance their skills in VMware vSphere. It is also a prerequisite for more advanced VMware certifications, such as VMware Certified Professional (VCP).
Earning a VCTA shows your ability to manage and maintain virtualized environments. VMware vSpheres technology is frequently used in data centers to deploy and manage virtual environments.
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Juniper JNCIA-ENT
Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate - Enterprise (JNCIA-ENT) is a foundational certification for professionals working with Juniper Networks enterprise routing and switching technologies. It’s a vendor-specific certification suitable for people familiar with Juniper Networks equipment. It mainly covers Junos OS, device configuration, troubleshooting, and security.
Like Cisco, Juniper Networks is a widely used vendor globally. It has been continuously featured in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure. Having a Juniper JNCIA-ENT certification may help network professionals advance their careers in any organization that relies on Juniper Networks technologies.
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CompTIA CySA+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is a cybersecurity certification relevant to network professionals looking to specialize in digital security. It focuses on advanced threat analysis, incident response, and digital forensics.
As businesses counter growing cyber threats, there has been a sharp increase in demand for cybersecurity professionals. Enterprises with on-premise networks and private clouds can benefit from the expertise of a certified cybersecurity specialist. And they’re willing to pay a lot of money for it.
CySA+ certification prepares you to identify, investigate, and respond to security incidents. With this certification, you can get jobs like security analysts, incident responders, and cybersecurity consultants.
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CCSP
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) designation covers cloud-based security practices. It comes from the ISC2 (International Information System Security Certification Consortium). This is supposed to be the successor of a Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP).
Within the CCSP, there are six domains. These include:
- Cloud data security
- Cloud concepts, architecture, and design
- Cloud security operations
- Cloud platform and infrastructure security
- Cloud application security
- Legal, risk, and compliance
According to SkillSoft, professionals with CCSP make around $171,524 annually, making it one of the highest-paying certifications in cloud networking. Of course, it’s meant for professionals with experience. Although not required, CCSP candidates should have at least five years of experience, three of which should be in information security and one in one of the domains of CCSP.
Show Your Substance with Network Certifications!
If you work in networking and believe you have what it takes to get one or more of the certifications above, go for it. Learning and applying for certification can help you increase your knowledge and have solid proof to show for it. Employers love certifications.
PivIT offers mastery courses for CCNA, the most widely recognized and sought-after network certification.
Fill out the form to become a network master!
FAQs
What is the difference between vendor-specific and vendor-neutral certifications?
Vendor-specific certifications come from vendors and may focus on their technologies and best practices. On the other hand, vendor-neutral or agnostic certifications cover knowledge and skills that can be applied to any vendor's equipment and software.
Do employers require network certifications?
Employers may or may not require a network certification, but they encourage existing and potential employees to get certified. Many network job postings don’t require a network certification but prefer it. Having one can help candidates stand out and effectively demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
What is better, CCNA or Network+?
Cisco CCNA and CompTIA Network+ are both early-stage network certifications that cover the foundational concepts for individuals with some experience. Although CCNA is from a vendor, it’s not vendor-specific per se, as the knowledge can be applicable to any combination of vendors. As it’s more recognizable than Network+, it can be better for finding employment.