The best IT certifications depend on where you’re starting and where you want to go, but a few credentials stand out across almost every ranking: CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA, EC-Council CEH, and CISSP. These are the certifications that employers actually require in job postings, that satisfy U.S. Department of Defense requirements, and that correlate directly with salary increases at every career stage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage across all computer and IT occupations is $105,990 as of May 2024, and certifications are the primary mechanism career changers and IT professionals use to move into and through that salary range.
This guide covers the most in-demand IT certifications in 2026, organized by career stage and focus area, so you can identify which ones make the most sense for your situation.
Why IT Certifications Matter
Before getting into specific credentials, it’s worth understanding what certifications actually do for your career.
They get you past resume filters. Most IT job postings list specific certifications as required or preferred. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) screen for keywords, including certification names, before a human sees your resume. Without the right credentials, qualified candidates get filtered out before a single interview.
They prove validated knowledge. A degree shows you completed a program. A certification shows you passed a proctored exam that tested specific technical knowledge against a defined standard. Employers, particularly those with security or compliance obligations, value that distinction.
They correlate with higher pay. CompTIA’s annual workforce research consistently shows that certified IT professionals earn more than non-certified counterparts in equivalent roles. At the entry level, the difference can be $5,000 to $15,000 in starting salary. At the senior level, credentials like CISSP are directly associated with salaries in the $150,000+ range.
They satisfy government requirements. DoD Directive 8140 mandates specific certifications, including CompTIA Security+, CEH, and CISSP, for cybersecurity personnel at U.S. Department of Defense agencies, military branches, and defense contractors. If you’re a veteran or interested in government IT, these aren’t optional.
The Best Entry-Level IT Certifications
CompTIA A+: The Universal Starting Point
Who it’s for: Anyone entering IT with no prior credentials. Career changers, recent grads, people with informal tech experience who need a formal credential.
What it covers: Hardware, software, networking basics, operating systems, troubleshooting, and security fundamentals, across both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) exams in the current V15 series.
Why it’s on this list: Over 1.4 million professionals hold A+. It’s required by Dell, HP, Intel, and the U.S. DoD. It’s the most recognized entry-level IT credential in the industry, and it’s the foundation for every subsequent certification in the CompTIA pathway. Our complete guide to CompTIA A+ covers it in depth.
What it pays: CompTIA A+ holders in IT support and help desk roles report typical earnings of $45,000 to $65,000, according to labor market data (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer). According to the BLS, computer support specialists, the job category most aligned with A+, earn a median of $60,340 as of May 2024.
Best next step: CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Network+: Networking Fundamentals
Who it’s for: IT professionals who want to specialize in networking or who need networking knowledge as a foundation for cybersecurity.
What it covers: Network architecture, TCP/IP, routing and switching, wireless, network security, and troubleshooting, vendor-neutral across any manufacturer’s equipment.
Why it’s on this list: Network+ is the bridge between IT support and networking specialization. It’s also the recommended prerequisite for Security+, which is why most cybersecurity-track candidates earn it. The current exam is N10-009 (released June 2024). See our complete guide to CompTIA Network+ for the full breakdown.
What it pays: Network administrators earn a BLS-reported median of $96,800 as of May 2024. Entry-level network technician and support roles start at $52,000 to $72,000.
Best next step: CompTIA Security+ or Cisco CCNA
Google IT Support Certificate: Honorable Mention
Who it’s for: True beginners who want a lower-stakes introduction to IT concepts before pursuing A+.
What it covers: Basic IT support, troubleshooting, networking, and operating systems, at a less technical depth than A+.
Why it’s worth considering: Accessible and affordable. Less universally recognized by employers than A+, but a useful learning tool for candidates who aren’t ready for A+ prep yet.
The caveat: For most employers, especially those with DoD requirements, A+ is the credential that clears hiring filters. Google’s certificate is better preparation than nothing, but it’s not a substitute for A+.
The Best Cybersecurity Certifications
CompTIA Security+: The Essential Baseline
Who it’s for: Anyone entering cybersecurity. Career changers, IT professionals pivoting to security, military veterans, and recent IT grads.
What it covers: Threat analysis, network security, cryptography, identity and access management, incident response, cloud security, and zero-trust architecture. The current exam is SY0-701 (released November 2023). Our guide to CompTIA Security+ covers the exam in full.
Why it’s on this list: Security+ is the most widely recognized entry-level cybersecurity certification in the world. It’s approved under DoD Directive 8140. It appears in more security job postings than any comparable entry-level credential. CompTIA’s own data shows Security+ is among the top certifications by salary impact at the entry level.
What it pays: Security+ holders in entry-level SOC analyst and security specialist roles report typical earnings of $60,000 to $75,000, according to labor market data (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer). Mid-level information security analysts, the BLS category most closely aligned with Security+, earn a median of $124,910 as of May 2024. The full breakdown is in our Security+ salary guide.
Best next step: CompTIA CySA+ or EC-Council CEH
EC-Council CEH: The Ethical Hacking Standard
Who it’s for: IT professionals targeting penetration testing, ethical hacking, and offensive security roles.
What it covers: The full ethical hacking methodology, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting. Current version: CEH v13 (2024), which added AI-powered attack and defense content.
Why it’s on this list: CEH is the most widely required credential for penetration testing and ethical hacking job postings. It’s recognized by DoD Directive 8140 for Computer Network Defense (CND) roles. MyCC is an EC-Council Center of Excellence, the highest designation for delivering the CEH program.
What it pays: Penetration testers with CEH report typical earnings of $90,000 to $140,000, according to labor market data (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer). Senior penetration testers and red team leads reach $140,000 to $190,000.
Best next step: OSCP (Offensive Security) for hands-on pen testing depth; CISSP for career progression toward security leadership.
CompTIA CySA+: Threat Analysis and Detection
Who it’s for: Cybersecurity analysts working in SOC environments who want a formal credential for threat detection, analysis, and incident response.
What it covers: Threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident response, and security architecture. More defensive-focused than CEH.
Why it’s on this list: CySA+ is the logical next step after Security+ for analysts who aren’t heading toward penetration testing. It’s DoD Directive 8140 compliant and is increasingly appearing in mid-level analyst job postings.
What it pays: Cybersecurity analysts with CySA+ report typical earnings of $80,000 to $110,000, according to labor market data (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer).
Best next step: CompTIA CASP+, CISSP, or EC-Council CEH depending on career direction.
CISSP: The Gold Standard for Senior Security
Who it’s for: Experienced cybersecurity professionals (5+ years) targeting senior analyst, security architect, security manager, and CISO roles.
What it covers: Security and risk management, asset security, security architecture, network security, identity management, security assessment, security operations, and software development security, eight domains across the full security lifecycle.
Why it’s on this list: CISSP is consistently ranked among the top certifications by salary impact. It’s recognized globally as the most prestigious general cybersecurity credential. CISSP holders frequently report compensation of $130,000 to $200,000, according to labor market data (individual results vary).
Prerequisite: Five years of paid work experience in two or more of the eight CISSP domains. This is a mid-to-late-career certification, not for beginners.
The Best Networking Certifications
Cisco CCNA: The Enterprise Networking Standard
Who it’s for: Candidates targeting network administrator and network engineer roles in enterprise environments, most of which run Cisco infrastructure.
What it covers: Network fundamentals, IP connectivity, network access (VLANs, STP, wireless), IP services, security fundamentals, and automation. Exam code: 200-301, updated to v1.1 in 2024. Our complete guide to Cisco certification covers the full Cisco ladder.
Why it’s on this list: Cisco dominates enterprise networking. CCNA is the standard credential that networking employers look for, both as a hiring filter and as a benchmark for validated Cisco competency.
What it pays: Network administrators earn a BLS-reported median of $96,800 as of May 2024. Network engineers with CCNA earn $85,000 to $125,000.
Best next step: CCNP Enterprise or CCNP Security depending on specialization direction.
CompTIA Network+ vs. Cisco CCNA
These two are often compared. The key distinction: Network+ is vendor-neutral (conceptual breadth across all equipment), CCNA is vendor-specific (deep Cisco expertise). They’re complementary, not competing. Most networking professionals who work in enterprise environments hold both, Network+ for foundational concepts, CCNA for Cisco-specific employer requirements.
The Best Cloud Certifications
AWS Certified Solutions Architect: Associate
Who it’s for: IT professionals targeting cloud infrastructure roles with Amazon Web Services, which holds the largest share of the cloud market.
What it covers: AWS architecture, compute, storage, networking, security, and cost optimization. The associate level is the right starting point; the professional level builds on it.
What it pays: AWS Solutions Architects at the Associate level report typical earnings of $110,000 to $155,000, according to labor market data (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer), depending on experience and specialization.
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
Who it’s for: IT professionals targeting cloud infrastructure roles in Microsoft Azure environments, the second-largest cloud platform by market share.
What it covers: Azure compute, storage, networking, and identity management. AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) is the entry point; AZ-104 is the role-based certification.
What it pays: Azure administrators report typical earnings of $95,000 to $140,000, according to labor market data (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer).
Certification Stacks That Work Together
The most effective way to use certifications is as a planned sequence, each one building on the last, each one opening a new range of job titles and salary levels.
IT Support to Cybersecurity Path: CompTIA A+ → CompTIA Network+ → CompTIA Security+ → EC-Council CEH → CISSP
Networking Specialization Path: CompTIA A+ → CompTIA Network+ → Cisco CCNA → CCNP Enterprise → CCIE
Cloud Infrastructure Path: CompTIA A+ → CompTIA Cloud+ → AWS Solutions Architect Associate → AWS Solutions Architect Professional
Penetration Testing / Ethical Hacking Path: CompTIA A+ → Network+ → Security+ → CEH → OSCP
At MyCC, the curriculum is structured to move career changers through the IT and cybersecurity certification path in an accelerated sequence, earning credentials like Network+, Security+, and CEH within a single structured program rather than pursuing them one at a time.
What to Look For in an IT Certification
Not all certifications carry equal weight with employers. When evaluating a credential, assess it on these criteria:
Employer demand: Does it appear in job postings for the roles you’re targeting? Search LinkedIn and Indeed for the job title you want and see which certifications appear most frequently in the listings.
Issuer reputation: CompTIA, EC-Council, Cisco, ISC2, AWS, and Microsoft are the most widely recognized certification bodies in the industry. Credentials from lesser-known vendors may not carry the same weight.
Government recognition: DoD Directive 8140 is a meaningful endorsement. It confirms the certification meets a validated knowledge standard that federal agencies trust.
Current exam version: Certifications that haven’t been updated recently may cover outdated content. Check when the current version was released. (CompTIA A+ V15 series: 2025; Security+ SY0-701: 2023; Network+ N10-009: 2024; CEH v13: 2024.)
Renewal requirements: All major IT certifications expire after 3 years. Understand the continuing education or retake requirements before committing.
FAQ: Best IT Certifications
What is the best IT certification for beginners?
CompTIA A+ is the best starting point for most beginners, it’s the most widely recognized entry-level IT credential, required by major employers including Dell, HP, Intel, and the U.S. DoD, and it’s the foundation for every subsequent CompTIA certification. If you’re entering cybersecurity specifically, A+ followed by Network+ and then Security+ is the recommended sequence.
Which IT certification pays the most?
At the entry level, CompTIA Security+ has the greatest impact on starting salary in cybersecurity roles. At the senior level, CISSP consistently shows the highest salary correlation, holders frequently report compensation of $130,000 to $200,000, according to labor market data (individual results vary). EC-Council CEH drives the highest pay in penetration testing roles specifically.
How many IT certifications do I need to get a job?
For IT support and help desk roles, CompTIA A+ alone is often sufficient. For cybersecurity roles, most entry-level job postings require Security+ at minimum. For networking roles, CCNA or Network+ (or both) are the standard requirements. The A+, Network+, and Security+ combination opens the most doors across both networking and cybersecurity at the entry level.
Can I get an IT certification without experience?
Yes. None of the major entry-level certifications (A+, Network+, Security+) have mandatory experience prerequisites. CompTIA recommends experience, but it’s not required. Candidates who prepare thoroughly through structured study can and do pass without prior IT work experience.
Are IT certifications worth it without a degree?
Yes, particularly in cybersecurity and networking. According to CompTIA, most hiring managers rate certifications as highly as or more highly than degrees when evaluating cybersecurity candidates. A credential stack of A+, Network+, and Security+ positions candidates competitively for roles paying $60,000 to $80,000 without a four-year degree. CISSP and CEH holders at the senior level frequently report compensation of $130,000+, according to labor market data (individual results vary), regardless of academic credentials.
How long does it take to earn multiple IT certifications?
In a structured training program, a foundational stack like Network+ plus Security+ can be completed in 4 to 6 months with focused study. Adding CEH typically extends the timeline to 6 to 9 months. Self-study timelines are longer, 8 to 12 months for the same sequence, because study organization, lab access, and accountability require more self-management.
Bottom Line
The best IT certifications aren’t a secret, they’re the ones that appear consistently in job postings, satisfy government requirements, and correlate with real salary increases at every career stage. CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ form the most recognized foundational stack in IT and cybersecurity. CEH is the standard credential for ethical hacking and penetration testing. CCNA is the networking specialization credential for enterprise environments. CISSP is the senior-level credential that defines the upper end of cybersecurity compensation.
The candidates who move fastest through this landscape are the ones who treat certifications as a planned sequence rather than individual achievements, each one chosen because it builds toward a specific role, salary tier, and career trajectory.
If you want a clear, personalized roadmap, which certifications make the most sense for your background, in what order, and what roles they open for you, MyCC’s free evaluation builds that plan.