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What Is the current CCNA Salary? A Realistic Breakdown

Tina Tran

Created at April 1, 2026

The CCNA salary is a key factor for anyone considering a career in networking or planning a move into IT. As demand for network professionals continues to grow, CCNA remains one of the most accessible certifications that can lead to stable, well-paying roles. In this guide, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the average CCNA salary, typical entry-level pay, and how earnings change based on experience, job role, and location. After reading this article, you will understand what you can realistically earn with a CCNA in the job market.

Average salary of CCNA

As of January 30, 2026, data from ZipRecruiter shows that the average CCNA salary in the U.S. is $82,062 per year. This figure reflects nationwide salary data across multiple CCNA-related roles and experience levels.

While the average salary of CCNA professionals sits at $82,062, actual earnings can vary widely depending on skill level, experience, and job role. The salary distribution data shows that:

25th percentile (lower range): ~$60,000/year
75th percentile (upper range): ~$103,500/year
Top 10% (90th percentile): ~$123,500/year

This makes CCNA one of the strongest-paying entry-to-mid-level IT certifications in terms of return on investment.

CCNA salary by factors

CCNA salary by pay rate

CCNA salaries are commonly discussed in terms of pay rate, which helps compare earnings across different time units. On average, CCNA-certified professionals earn about $39.45 per hour, equivalent to $1,578 per week or $6,838 per month for full-time roles.

The table below shows how CCNA pay is distributed across the market based on compensation levels.

Pay Tier	Annual Pay	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Pay
Top Pay Tier	$123,500	$10,290	$2,375	$59.38
Above-Average Pay	$103,500	$8,625	$1,990	$49.76
National Average	$82,062	$6,838	$1,578	$39.45
Base Pay Tier	$60,000	$5,000	$1,153	$28.85

(According to ZipRecruiter®)

CCNA salary by experience

CCNA salary increases steadily as professionals gain hands-on experience in real-world networking environments. CCNA-certified professionals with little or no experience typically earn around $30,000–$55,000 per year, often in entry-level support or junior network roles.

With 1–2 years of experience, salaries commonly rise to approximately $55,000–$65,000, as professionals take on more responsibility in network monitoring, troubleshooting, and daily operations.
Professionals with 3–5 years of experience often move into network administrator or network engineer positions, where salaries typically range from $70,000 to $90,000, depending on role and location.

Especially, those with 5 or more years of experience, especially in enterprise or specialized networking environments, frequently earn $90,000+ per year, even over $100,000 per year, placing them well above the average CCNA salary in the U.S.

CCNA salary by jobs

CCNA-certified professionals can work in a variety of networking and IT roles, and salary levels vary significantly depending on job title and responsibility. The table below compares common CCNA-related positions and shows how compensation increases as roles shift from basic support to advanced network administration and engineering tasks.

Job title	Typical responsibilities	Average annual salary
Help Desk Technician	User support, basic network issues	$45,000 – $55,000
IT Support Specialist	Hardware, software, and basic networking	$50,000 – $60,000
Junior Network Technician	Network setup, cable, and monitoring	$55,000 – $65,000
Network Technician	Network maintenance & troubleshooting	$60,000 – $75,000
NOC Technician	Monitor network performance & alerts	$60,000 – $75,000
Network Support Specialist	Advanced troubleshooting & support	$65,000 – $80,000
Systems Administrator	Server & network management	$70,000 – $90,000
Network Administrator	Network operations & security	$75,000 – $95,000
Network Engineer	Network design & optimization	$85,000 – $110,000+
Infrastructure Engineer	Large-scale systems & networks	$90,000 – $120,000+
Network Security Analyst	Network security & monitoring	$80,000 – $105,000
Cloud Network Associate	Hybrid & cloud networking	$85,000 – $115,000

CCNA salary by states

CCNA salaries can vary widely across different states in the United States, influenced by factors such as local demand for networking professionals, cost of living, and the presence of technology-driven industries.

The table below highlights U.S. states and locations with some of the highest CCNA salaries, showing how annual, monthly, weekly, and hourly pay can vary by location.

Location	Yearly Income	Monthly Income	Weekly Income	Hourly Rate
Scotts Valley, CA	$106,196	$8,849	$2,042	$51.06
Deer Park, CA	$102,822	$8,568	$1,977	$49.43
Inverness, CA	$102,306	$8,525	$1,967	$49.19
Nome, AK	$101,798	$8,483	$1,957	$48.94
Berkeley, CA	$100,480	$8,373	$1,932	$48.31
Sitka, AK	$98,859	$8,238	$1,901	$47.53
Kentville, NS	$98,805	$8,233	$1,900	$47.50
Dimondale, MI	$98,572	$8,214	$1,895	$47.39
Whitehorse, YT	$98,177	$8,181	$1,888	$47.20
Carcross, YT	$98,119	$8,176	$1,886	$47.17

(According to ZipRecruiter®)

Final thoughts

The CCNA salary reflects a strong balance between accessibility and earning potential. With an average salary with CCNA of around $82,000, it offers a competitive income level for an entry-to-mid-level IT certification. While starting pay may be lower for those with no experience, salaries increase noticeably with time, role, and location.

For many professionals, CCNA provides a clear, realistic path from entry-level wages to above-average pay within just a few years. To secure this career-changing certification on your first attempt and unlock these high-paying roles, consistent practice is key. Start sharpening your skills today with our comprehensive CCNA practice test to master real-world networking scenarios and exam-style questions.