If you’re starting an IT career with no credentials, the answer for most people is the same: begin with CompTIA A+. It’s the most widely recognized entry-level IT certification in the industry, required by major employers from Dell and HP to the U.S. Department of Defense, and held by over 1.4 million professionals. From A+, the path branches depending on your goal, cybersecurity, networking, cloud, or IT support, and each branch has a clear sequence of certifications that get you there. Here’s how to choose based on where you’re starting and where you want to go.
Why the Starting Point Matters
The IT certification landscape has hundreds of credentials. The reason most career changers and beginners feel overwhelmed is that they’re trying to evaluate all of them at once without a clear sense of their destination. Our best IT certifications guide ranks the full landscape; this post focuses on where to begin.
The practical approach: pick a career direction, then identify the two or three certifications that employers most consistently require for entry-level roles in that direction. That’s your starting stack. Everything else comes later.
For the majority of IT career paths, including cybersecurity, the highest-paying track, the starting sequence is the same: CompTIA A+, then CompTIA Network+, then CompTIA Security+. That three-certification stack qualifies you for entry-level roles across IT support, networking, and cybersecurity simultaneously, satisfies DoD Directive 8140 requirements (Security+), and opens every subsequent specialized certification track.
The Best First IT Certification: CompTIA A+
Who it’s for: Career changers, beginners, veterans transitioning out of the military, people with informal IT experience who need a formal credential.
What it covers: Hardware components and troubleshooting, operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS), networking basics, mobile devices, cloud computing fundamentals, security concepts, and operational procedures. The current exam is the V15 Core Series: two separate exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Our complete guide to CompTIA A+ covers the full breakdown.
Why start here: A+ doesn’t just get you a credential, the process of preparing for it teaches you how IT actually works at the foundational level. The knowledge you build in A+ prep is the vocabulary and framework that makes every subsequent certification make more sense. Candidates who try to skip A+ and start with Security+ often struggle because they’re missing the conceptual scaffolding. If you’re weighing the investment, see Is CompTIA A+ Worth It?
What it qualifies you for: Help desk technician, IT support specialist, desktop support administrator, field service technician, computer support specialist.
What it pays: The BLS reports a median annual wage of $60,340 for computer support specialists as of May 2024, the job category most directly aligned with A+. Entry-level positions typically start at $40,000 to $55,000 without A+; with A+, candidates regularly command $50,000 to $65,000 at the starting point (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer).
Exam details: Two exams required: Core 1 (675/900 passing score) and Core 2 (700/900 passing score); up to 90 questions each, 90 minutes each; cost approximately $246 per exam ($492 total for both); valid for 3 years.
Best Second Certification: CompTIA Network+
Who it’s for: IT professionals who have A+ (or equivalent knowledge) and want to deepen their networking skills, either to specialize in networking or to prepare for Security+.
What it covers: Network architecture, TCP/IP, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and subnetting, routing protocols, VLANs, wireless networking, network security fundamentals, and troubleshooting methodology. Vendor-neutral. The current exam is N10-009 (released June 2024). See our complete guide to CompTIA Network+.
Why earn it second: Security+ assumes you understand how networks work. The firewalls, intrusion detection systems, VPNs, and network-layer attack concepts that Security+ covers assume Network+ knowledge as background. Candidates who skip Network+ and go straight to Security+ often struggle with the networking context Security+ requires.
What it qualifies you for: Network technician, network administrator, systems administrator, IT infrastructure specialist, and it makes you a stronger candidate for entry-level cybersecurity roles alongside Security+.
What it pays: Network and computer systems administrators earn a BLS-reported median of $96,800 as of May 2024. Entry-level network technician roles start at $52,000 to $72,000.
Exam details: Single exam (N10-009); up to 90 questions, 90 minutes; passing score 720/900; cost approximately $369 per attempt; valid for 3 years.
Best Cybersecurity Starting Certification: CompTIA Security+
Who it’s for: The required entry-level credential for anyone targeting cybersecurity. Widely considered the most important first certification in the field.
What it covers: Threat analysis, attacks and vulnerabilities, security architecture, network security, cryptography and PKI, identity and access management, incident response, security operations, and cloud security. The current exam is SY0-701 (released November 2023; replaces SY0-601, which retired in 2024). Our guide to CompTIA Security+ goes deeper.
Why it stands out: Approved under DoD Directive 8140, required or accepted for U.S. Department of Defense cybersecurity roles. Consistently the most listed entry-level security certification in cybersecurity job postings. Vendor-neutral and internationally recognized. The gateway to every subsequent cybersecurity credential (CySA+, CEH, CASP+, CISSP).
What it qualifies you for: SOC Analyst (Tier 1), information security specialist, cybersecurity analyst, security administrator, IT auditor (junior), security consultant (entry-level).
What it pays: Entry-level Security+ roles typically pay $60,000 to $75,000 (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer). The BLS reports a median of $124,910 for information security analysts as of May 2024, the category that includes Security+ holders at the mid level and above.
Exam details: Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes; passing score 750/900; cost approximately $404 per attempt; valid for 3 years.
Best Networking-Specific Starting Certification: Cisco CCNA
Who it’s for: Candidates specifically targeting networking 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 and programmability. Cisco-specific. Current exam: 200-301 (updated to v1.1 in 2024). Our complete guide to Cisco certification covers the whole ladder.
Why it’s relevant for beginners: CCNA is Cisco’s most widely recognized credential and the standard entry point for network administrator and network engineer roles at large organizations. If your goal is networking specialization rather than cybersecurity, CCNA is often more directly useful than Network+ alone, though many professionals hold both.
What it pays: Network administrators earn a BLS-reported median of $96,800 as of May 2024. CCNA holders in network engineer roles earn $85,000 to $125,000 (individual results vary based on role, experience, location, and employer).
Exam details: Single exam (200-301); 120 minutes; score scale 300–1000 with a passing score of approximately 825; cost approximately $300 per attempt; valid for 3 years.
The Starting Stack by Career Goal
Here’s how to match certifications to your target destination:
| Career Goal | Starting Stack | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| IT Support / Help Desk | CompTIA A+ | 2–4 months |
| General IT (flexible) | A+ → Network+ | 4–7 months |
| Cybersecurity | A+ → Network+ → Security+ | 5–9 months |
| Ethical Hacking | A+ → Network+ → Security+ → CEH | 9–14 months |
| Networking (Enterprise) | A+ → Network+ → Cisco CCNA | 6–10 months |
| Cloud Infrastructure | A+ → AWS Cloud Practitioner → AWS SAA | 5–9 months |
These timelines assume structured study with 2 to 3 hours per day. Structured training programs compress these timelines because study is organized, lab time is built in, and instructors address gaps that self-study misses.
What NOT to Do When Starting Out
Don’t start with the most advanced certification you’ve heard of. CISSP requires five years of professional experience to qualify. CEH assumes networking and security knowledge. Starting with CISSP or even CEH without a solid foundation is like trying to run before you can walk, and the exam failure rates reflect it.
Don’t pursue vendor-specific credentials first if you don’t know the vendor. If you don’t have a job that uses Cisco, starting with CCNA over Network+ isn’t necessarily the right move. Start with vendor-neutral credentials that apply broadly, then add vendor-specific depth for the environments you’ll actually work in.
Don’t choose based on salary alone. CISSP holders report compensation above $150,000 according to labor market data (individual results vary). But you can’t earn CISSP without five years of experience, and experience requires an entry-level job first. The best certification is the one that’s appropriate for your current career stage and gets you the next job, not the one with the highest eventual ceiling.
Don’t skip the hands-on practice. Every major certification includes performance-based questions (PBQs) that test applied knowledge, not just recall. Candidates who study exclusively with flashcards and memorize terms routinely fail PBQs. Build a home lab. Use practice environments. The hands-on skills aren’t separate from the exam, they’re what the exam is actually testing.
Do You Need a Degree First?
No, and this is one of the most important things for career changers to understand. The majority of IT employers, particularly in cybersecurity and networking, evaluate candidates primarily on certifications, demonstrated skills, and relevant experience rather than academic credentials.
According to CompTIA’s workforce research, most hiring managers rate certifications as highly as or more highly than degrees when evaluating IT and cybersecurity candidates. A candidate with A+, Network+, and Security+ is more competitive for entry-level security roles than a candidate with a generic bachelor’s degree and no certifications, and compensation follows that reality.
A degree helps in some government and defense contracting environments. But across the broader private-sector IT market, certifications are the faster, more direct path to employment.
FAQ: Best IT Certifications to Start With
What is the single best IT certification for a complete beginner?
CompTIA A+ is the best starting point for most complete beginners. It’s the most recognized entry-level IT credential in the industry, required by major employers including Dell, HP, Intel, and the U.S. DoD, and held by over 1.4 million professionals. It’s also the foundation that makes every subsequent certification more accessible.
Can I go straight to Security+ without A+ or Network+?
Technically yes, Security+ has no mandatory prerequisites. But candidates who attempt Security+ without foundational IT and networking knowledge consistently struggle with the networking context the exam assumes. The A+ to Network+ to Security+ sequence exists because each step genuinely prepares you for the next one.
What’s the fastest path to a cybersecurity job?
CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ in sequence, achievable in 5 to 9 months with dedicated study through a structured program. Security+ is the credential most consistently listed as required or preferred in entry-level cybersecurity job postings. After Security+, CEH is the next target for candidates aiming at penetration testing and ethical hacking roles.
How long does it take to earn A+, Network+, and Security+?
In a structured training program: 4 to 6 months for the stack. Self-study timelines are longer, typically 6 to 12 months, because organization, lab access, and pacing require more self-management. MyCC’s programs are specifically designed to move candidates through an accelerated certification sequence with instruction, labs, and lifetime career services built in.
Are there free IT certifications worth pursuing?
The Google IT Support Certificate is free or low-cost and is a useful introductory learning resource. However, it’s less universally recognized than CompTIA A+, particularly with government and enterprise employers who specifically list A+ as a requirement. Think of it as preparation for A+, not a substitute.
What’s the cost to get started with IT certifications?
The core first three certifications: CompTIA A+ at approximately $492 total (two exams at approximately $246 each); CompTIA Network+ at approximately $369; CompTIA Security+ at approximately $404. Total exam cost for all three: approximately $1,265. Study materials, practice exams, and training program costs are separate. Training programs typically bundle exam prep materials and sometimes exam vouchers into the program cost.
Bottom Line
The best IT certifications to start with are the ones that match your career goals and your current stage, not the ones with the most impressive-sounding names. For most career changers and beginners, that means CompTIA A+ first, followed by Network+ and Security+ if cybersecurity is the goal, or CCNA if networking specialization is the direction.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 29% job growth for information security analysts from 2024 to 2034. The median annual wage across all computer and IT occupations is $105,990 as of May 2024. The path into those numbers starts with the right certifications, in the right order, with real hands-on preparation.
If you want a personalized roadmap, which certifications to earn first based on your specific background and target career, MyCC’s free evaluation builds that plan for you.