Yes. CompTIA A+ is worth it for most people who are serious about entering IT. It’s the most widely recognized entry-level IT certification in the industry, held by over 1.4 million professionals, required or preferred by major employers from the U.S. Department of Defense to Dell, HP, and Intel, and directly tied to real hiring outcomes for help desk and IT support roles. That said, it’s worth it as a starting point, not a destination. Here’s the honest picture.
What You’re Actually Getting With CompTIA A+
CompTIA A+ validates foundational knowledge across hardware, software, networking, operating systems, troubleshooting, and security basics. It’s a vendor-neutral certification, which means it applies to any employer’s environment, not just one brand or platform.
Passing A+ requires passing two separate exams from the current V15 series: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). You need a 675 on Core 1 and a 700 on Core 2. Both are scored out of 900. For the full breakdown of domains, costs, and study strategy, see our complete guide to CompTIA A+.
The exams test you on real scenarios, not just theory. The performance-based questions (PBQs) simulate troubleshooting situations that mirror what you’d encounter in an actual IT support role. A+ is designed to reflect what employers actually need entry-level IT professionals to know and do.
The Case For: Why CompTIA A+ Is Worth It
It Opens Real Employment Doors
The most direct measure of whether any certification is worth it: does it help you get hired? For A+, the answer is clearly yes, particularly for help desk, IT support, and desktop support roles.
According to CompTIA, the A+ consistently appears among the most frequently listed certifications in IT support job postings across the country. Dell, HP, and Intel require A+ for their own technician workforces. The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes it under Directive 8140 as a baseline credential for information technology roles.
It Pays More Than Starting Without It
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer support specialists, the role category most directly tied to A+, earn a median annual wage of $60,340 as of May 2024. Entry-level positions often start at $40,000 to $50,000 for uncertified candidates; A+ holders regularly command $50,000 to $65,000 at the entry level. Individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer.
CompTIA’s own compensation research consistently shows that certified IT professionals earn more than their non-certified counterparts in equivalent roles.
It’s the Gateway to the Certifications That Pay Well
The highest-paying IT roles, cybersecurity analyst, security engineer, network architect, aren’t reached in one step. They’re reached by building a credential stack, and A+ is typically the first layer.
Network+ and Security+ both build directly on A+ concepts. The EC-Council CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) assumes you have a foundational IT background that A+ provides. Cisco CCNA training goes deeper on the networking foundations A+ introduces.
It’s Accessible Without a College Degree
A+ is a recognized, employer-verified credential that you can earn in 2 to 4 months without going back to school for four years. For someone making $38,000 in a physically demanding or dead-end job, A+ represents a concrete way to credential their way into technology with a training investment of months, not years, and a certification cost of under $500 in exam fees.
The Honest Case Against: Where A+ Falls Short
It Won’t Get You a High Salary on Its Own
The BLS reports median pay of $60,340 for computer support specialists as of May 2024. Entry-level positions in this category typically report compensation in the $45,000 to $65,000 range. That’s a meaningful improvement for many career changers, but it’s not the top of the IT pay scale. Individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer.
The certifications that reach the higher salary tiers, CySA+, CEH, Security+, CISSP, come later. A+ is the on-ramp, not the destination.
It’s Not a Match for Everyone’s Career Direction
If you already know you want to go deep into software development, data science, or cloud architecture, A+ may not be the most direct path. Those tracks have their own entry points, and the A+ curriculum is specifically oriented toward IT support and infrastructure.
The First Job Still Takes Work to Land
Passing A+ doesn’t guarantee a job offer. You’ll still need to apply strategically, prepare for interviews, and compete with other candidates. What helps alongside the certification: a well-built resume, interview preparation, a small portfolio of hands-on work, and a realistic job search approach.
Who CompTIA A+ Is Most Worth It For
Career changers in their 30s, 40s, or 50s who want a structured, employer-recognized pathway into IT without a four-year degree. Military veterans transitioning to civilian careers (A+ satisfies baseline DoD requirements; MyCC programs are GI Bill-approved and DoD SkillBridge-eligible). People with informal IT experience who need a formal credential. Beginners who are genuinely starting from zero.
What to Do After CompTIA A+
Step 2: CompTIA Network+. Validates networking knowledge (TCP/IP, routing, switching, wireless, security). Opens roles in networking and makes Security+ more accessible.
Step 3: CompTIA Security+. The industry baseline for cybersecurity. DoD-approved. Directly tied to entry-level SOC analyst, security specialist, and information security roles.
Step 4 (specialized tracks): Cybersecurity/ethical hacking: EC-Council CEH. Networking/Cisco environments: Cisco CCNA. Cloud infrastructure: AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Microsoft Azure Administrator. Advanced cybersecurity: CompTIA CySA+, CISSP.
At MyComputerCareer, students earn multiple in-demand certifications like Network+, Security+, and CEH in a single structured program, so the credential stack gets built in sequence rather than one standalone exam at a time.
FAQ: Is CompTIA A+ Worth It?
How much does CompTIA A+ cost?
Each of the two A+ exams (Core 1 and Core 2) costs approximately $246 per attempt as of 2026. Total exam cost to earn the certification is approximately $492, assuming you pass both on the first attempt.
Is CompTIA A+ enough to get an IT job?
For IT support, help desk, and desktop support roles, yes, A+ alone is enough to qualify and often to get hired. For networking, cybersecurity, or systems administration roles, you’ll want to add Network+ and Security+ to your credential stack.
How long does it take to study for CompTIA A+?
Most candidates need 60 to 120 hours of total preparation across both exams. That translates to roughly 4 to 10 weeks at 2 to 3 hours of study per day, depending on your starting knowledge level.
Is CompTIA A+ harder than Google’s IT Support Certificate?
The Google IT Support Certificate is generally considered less technically demanding and less comprehensive than CompTIA A+. It’s a useful introductory learning resource but it’s not a substitute for A+ with employers, particularly companies and government agencies that specifically list A+ as a hiring requirement.
Does CompTIA A+ expire?
Yes. A+ is valid for three years. You can renew it by earning 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through approved activities, or by passing a current version of the A+ exam.
Is CompTIA A+ worth it if I already work in IT?
It depends on your current role. If your employer requires it or if you’ve been doing IT work without the credential, earning A+ formalizes what you know and can open doors to roles or salary bands you don’t currently qualify for.
Bottom Line
CompTIA A+ is worth it, with one condition: you need to see it for what it is. It’s the entry point to an IT career, not the entire career. It qualifies you for help desk and IT support roles that pay meaningfully more than most entry-level non-technical positions. It satisfies requirements from the DoD to major enterprise employers. And it’s the foundation for a certification path that leads to cybersecurity, networking, and the salaries that come with those specializations.
For career changers, veterans, and beginners who want a clear, structured, employer-recognized pathway into IT without a four-year degree, A+ is exactly what it’s supposed to be: the right first step.
If you want a concrete roadmap based on where you are and where you want to go, MyCC’s free evaluation is the place to start.