CCNA / CCNA vs AWS SAA
CCNA vs AWS SAA: Which Certification Fits Better?
CCNA suits career changers targeting their first networking or infrastructure role. AWS SAA suits system administrators and network engineers moving into cloud roles. If you plan to earn both, start with CCNA: it is the more foundational of the two, and the concepts it builds carry directly into AWS SAA. Tackling AWS SAA first usually means re-learning fundamentals under exam pressure.
| Category | CCNA | AWS SAA |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Foundational | Intermediate |
| Vendor | Cisco | Amazon Web Services |
| Exam | 200-301 | SAA-C03 |
| Exam format | Single proctored certification exam (multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, lab simulation) | Associate-level architecture exam (multiple-choice and multiple-response) |
| Renewal cycle | 3 years, renew by re-taking, advancing to CCNP, or earning Continuing Education credits | 3 years, renew by passing the latest SAA exam or the Solutions Architect Professional exam, or by maintaining it on AWS Skill Builder |
| Recommended experience | Foundational networking familiarity plus repeated lab practice | 1+ year of hands-on AWS plus networking and Linux fundamentals |
| Training hours | 30 hours | 40 hours |
| Course price | $499 | $799 |
| Typical Canadian salary band | $45K-$95K CAD | $80K-$140K CAD |
| Best-fit roles | Network Administrator | Cloud Architect |
| Recommended starting point | No prior certification is required. | No formal prerequisite, but basic networking and Linux familiarity help a lot. |
When CCNA is the better choice
- Career changers targeting their first networking or infrastructure role
- Help desk or desktop support professionals ready to move into network operations
- Students who want a vendor-recognized certification with strong employer awareness
When AWS SAA is the better choice
- System administrators and network engineers moving into cloud roles
- Students targeting cloud operations, architecture, or DevOps-adjacent jobs
- Professionals who need vendor-specific cloud credibility in the job market
What CCNA training covers
- Network fundamentals and IP addressing
- Switching, VLANs, and spanning tree
- Routing, NAT, and basic services
- Security controls, automation, and wireless fundamentals
What AWS SAA training covers
- Core AWS services and architecture patterns
- Identity, networking, and security controls
- Storage, compute, and resilience design
- Monitoring, automation, and cost awareness
Comparison FAQs
Which certification is better for beginners: CCNA or AWS SAA?
CCNA is the better entry point for most beginners, while AWS SAA usually fits students with more prior experience or a narrower goal.
How do the CCNA and AWS SAA exams compare?
CCNA is earned by passing one exam, Cisco 200-301. It runs 120 minutes. The question count is not published by Cisco (candidates report about 100). Results are pass or fail, and Cisco does not publish the cut score. AWS SAA is earned by passing one exam, Amazon Web Services SAA-C03. It has 65 questions in 130 minutes. The passing score is 720/1000 on Amazon Web Services's scaled scoring.
How should I choose between CCNA and AWS SAA?
CCNA suits career changers targeting their first networking or infrastructure role. AWS SAA suits system administrators and network engineers moving into cloud roles. Pick the one that matches the job you want next.
Which pays more: CCNA or AWS SAA?
Typical Canadian roles tied to CCNA run $45K-$95K CAD, while AWS SAA-related roles run $80K-$140K CAD. Actual pay depends far more on the specific role, your experience, and the city than on the certification alone.
Can I earn both CCNA and AWS SAA?
If you plan to earn both, start with CCNA: it is the more foundational of the two, and the concepts it builds carry directly into AWS SAA. Tackling AWS SAA first usually means re-learning fundamentals under exam pressure.
Need a direct recommendation between CCNA and AWS SAA?
Talk to CISNET and get a recommendation based on your current skills, not generic internet rankings.
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