By Quick answer: Which networking certifications get you hired in 2027?
- Network engineer roles — Cisco CCNA; ANAB-accredited.
- It networking roles — CompTIA Network+; ANAB-accredited.
- Network security roles — Security+.
- Cloud networking (aws) — AWS SAA ($150).
Key takeaways
- Match the certification to the job title.
- Use exact names on your résumé.
- Bring proof of work to interviews.
Networking job posts name certain credentials and tools. These five match them most closely.
The top 5 at a glance
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page1 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store2 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1504 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 5 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country5 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Cisco CCNA Practice TestPractise for Cisco CCNA before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Network+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Network+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the job post it matches
- CiscoCisco CCNANetwork engineer rolesCheck the official page
- CompTIACompTIA Network+IT networking rolesVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- CompTIACompTIA Security+Network security rolesVoucher price on the CompTIA store
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page1
Cisco CCNA; ANAB-accredited. Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. It's ANAB-accredited and widely recognised for network engineer roles; check Cisco's page for the fee.
Best fornetwork engineer roles
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
CompTIA Network+; ANAB-accredited. CompTIA's Network+ covers networking concepts, infrastructure, operations and troubleshooting in a 90-minute exam. It's vendor-neutral and ANAB-accredited; CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience.
Best forIT networking roles
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Security+. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best fornetwork security roles
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1504
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
AWS SAA ($150). AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud networking (AWS)
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country5
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure AZ-104. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forcloud networking (Azure)
Résumé checklist
- Exact names — as the issuer writes them.
- Tools — named plainly.
- One result — with a number.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications that match job-post requirements. Fees from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which networking certification is best for jobs?
Cisco CCNA; ANAB-accredited for most roles.
Can freshers get hired with these?
With projects, yes for entry roles.
How many do I need?
One or two plus proof of work.
Do employers check?
Many verify; include credential links.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests.
Sources
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
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- Best Networking Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 IT certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones IT job posts nameThe top 5 IT certifications to get hired in 2027: CompTIA A+, Security+, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104 and Cisco CCNA, matched to IT job titles.
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best networking certifications of 2027: seven for network engineers and IT staffThe 7 best networking certifications of 2027: Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+, A+, Security+, Google IT Support, AWS Solutions Architect and Azure AZ-104.
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