The cited path
Path to Network Administrator
A cited, evidence-ordered certification roadmap toward Network Administrator — each step’s RoleMath Difficulty Score, real exam cost, and the role’s BLS pay. Click any step for its cited page; mark steps done to track your progress (saved on this device).
Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking
Step 1 · StepCCST Networking is a Cisco entry networking credential and first step toward CCNA.
Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Apprentice
Step 2 · FoundationPalo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Apprentice maps to Network Administrator as a foundation credential based on its cited track token:networking signal.
- Step 3 · Strong signal
Network+ supports networking fundamentals for administrator routes.
Cisco Certified DevNet Associate
Step 4 · Strong signalCisco Certified DevNet Associate maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Collaboration Automation and Programmability
Step 5 · Strong signalCisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Collaboration Automation and Programmability maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability
Step 6 · Strong signalCisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited name keyword:network signal.
Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Enterprise Automation and Programmability
Step 7 · Strong signalCisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Enterprise Automation and Programmability maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Security Automation and Programmability
Step 8 · Strong signalCisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Security Automation and Programmability maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Service Provider Automation and Programmability
Step 9 · Strong signalCisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Service Provider Automation and Programmability maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited name keyword:network signal.
HashiCorp Certified: Consul Associate (003)
Step 10 · Strong signalHashiCorp Certified: Consul Associate (003) maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
Palo Alto Networks Certified XDR Analyst
Step 11 · Strong signalPalo Alto Networks Certified XDR Analyst maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Analyst
Step 12 · Strong signalPalo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Analyst maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
- Step 13 · Strong signal
VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
VMware Telco Cloud Platform Specialist Skills
Step 14 · Strong signalVMware Telco Cloud Platform Specialist Skills maps to Network Administrator as a strong role signal based on its cited track token:networking signal.
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Step 15 · Strong signalCCNA is a stronger networking-role signal for network administration than general IT credentials.
- Step 16 · Step
CCNA Automation can help network administrators move toward API and infrastructure automation work.
- Step 17 · Adjacent skill
Linux administration can overlap with infrastructure operations roles.
- Step 18 · Adjacent skill
Server administration overlaps with network and infrastructure operations.
Cisco Certified DevNet Professional
Step 19 · StepCisco Certified DevNet Professional maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
Palo Alto Networks Certified Next-Generation Firewall Engineer maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
Palo Alto Networks Certified XSOAR Engineer
Step 21 · StepPalo Alto Networks Certified XSOAR Engineer maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
Palo Alto Networks Certified Cloud Security Professional
Step 22 · StepPalo Alto Networks Certified Cloud Security Professional maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
VMware Certified Professional - VMware Avi Load Balancer Administrator maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization
Step 24 · StepVMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Networking maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Network Virtualization Design maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty
Step 27 · StepAWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Network Virtualization Deploy maps to Network Administrator as an advanced credential for progressing toward/within this role, not an entry signal.
- Step 29 · Step
CloudNetX extends networking into hybrid cloud architecture.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Destination · The roleBLS reports a $99,130 national median for Network and Computer Systems Administrators (SOC 15-1244, OEWS May 2025) — occupation-level pay set by role and location, not produced by the certificates, with entry-level below it.
How to read this
A cited sequence — not the only route, and not a guarantee
Sequence is evidence-based ordering from current RoleMath data, not a guaranteed hiring path, pass prediction, salary promise, ROI claim, or requirement that every credential be completed.
The Difficulty Scores and exam costs are cited and dated; the pay is the occupation’s median (entry-level below it), never a salary the certificates produce. Pick the order that fits your background.
The sources
Every number on this map is cited
Difficulty Scores: RoleMath cited Difficulty Score methodology. Exam fees: vendor published prices (retrieved June 2026). Sequence: RoleMath role–certification evidence ordering from role_certification_edges + cited difficulty/cost. Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (national median for Network and Computer Systems Administrators, SOC 15-1244). The path is descriptive planning context, not a requirement, transition guarantee, or a salary you are promised.
Common questions
Becoming a Network Administrator, answered honestly
- What certifications help toward Network Administrator?
- By RoleMath's evidence-based ordering of cited certification data, a common sequence starts with Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking (Difficulty 20/100) and builds toward more advanced credentials. It is a sequence, not a requirement that you complete every one, and not a guaranteed hiring path — many people also enter through degrees, apprenticeships, and adjacent roles.
- How much does Network Administrator pay?
- BLS reports a $99,130 national median for Network and Computer Systems Administrators (SOC 15-1244, OEWS May 2025). That is occupation-level pay set by the role and location — half earn more, half less, entry-level sits below it, and it is not a salary the certificates produce.
- Do I have to do every certification in order?
- No. The order reflects how the credentials build on one another, but it is planning context, not a rule. Open each step for its cited detail, and pick the path that fits your background and target.
Build the plan for your situation
This is the common route. The planner tailors it to the skills you already have. RoleMath sells nothing.