Is A+ required before Network+?

No. CompTIA recommends A+ as a precursor to Network+, but it's not required. The exams are independent. CompTIA recommends 9 months of IT experience before Network+. If you're career-changing into IT with some self-study, you can sit for Network+ without A+. The key knowledge A+ provides that helps with Network+ is basic understanding of hardware interfaces, OS networking settings, and troubleshooting methodology. These can be learned through self-study without paying for another exam.

Is CompTIA A+ worth it in 2026?

For a first IT job, yes. A+ remains the most widely recognized entry-level IT credential. It's listed on help desk, desktop support, and field technician job postings more than any other cert. DoD 8570 includes A+ Core 2 for IAT Level 1 compliance, which keeps it relevant for government and defense contractor roles. The concern is career ceiling: A+ validates skills that top out around $50,000–$65,000 as a primary credential. Plan to follow it with Network+ or Security+ within 12–18 months to move to higher-paying tiers.

CompTIA A+ vs Network+: Which Entry-Level IT Cert Pays Back Faster?

Q: Should I get CompTIA A+ or Network+ first?

A+ first if you have no IT experience — it covers the foundational hardware, OS, and troubleshooting concepts that Network+ builds on. Network+ first if you already have IT experience and know you want to go into networking, cloud, or cybersecurity. Network+ skips desktop support fundamentals entirely and goes straight into TCP/IP, routing, switching, and network security. Many experienced IT professionals skip A+ entirely and go straight to Network+ or Security+.

Q: Does A+ or Network+ pay more?

Network+ adds roughly $15,000–$18,000 annually above base salary. A+ adds approximately $12,000–$15,000. Both are modest compared to cloud or security certs, but the entry-level job market is where they operate. Network+ has a better salary ceiling — it's a prerequisite for most networking roles where the real money is (CCNA, Security+, cloud certs). A+ opens help desk and desktop support roles that top out around $55,000–$65,000 in most markets. Network+ leads into higher-earning career paths.

A+ costs $492 for two exams and adds $13,000/year. Network+ costs $358 for one exam and adds $15,000/year. Network+ pays back faster — and opens doors A+ doesn't.

CompTIA A+

$13,000/yr premium

Exam: $246 × 2 exams = $492

Study materials: $50–$200

Renewal: $150/3yr CEUs

Payback: ~5–6 months

Job market: High volume, lower ceiling

CompTIA Network+

$15,000/yr premium

Exam: $358 (1 exam only)

Study materials: $50–$200

Renewal: $150/3yr CEUs

Payback: ~4–5 months

Job market: Better career ceiling

Compare ROI at Your Salary

Current salary

Years to model

Full Comparison: CompTIA A+ vs Network+

Factor	CompTIA A+	CompTIA Network+
Total exam fees	$492 (2 exams)	$358 (1 exam)
Study materials	$50–$200	$50–$200
Renewal	$150/3yr CEUs	$150/3yr CEUs
Salary premium	+$13,000/yr	+$15,000/yr
Payback period	~5–6 months	~4–5 months
5-year net ROI (at $50K)	+$63,608	+$73,792
DoD 8570 level	IAT Level I (Core 2)	IAT Level I, CSSP
Natural next cert	Network+ or Security+	Security+ or CCNA
Best roles	Help desk, desktop support	Network admin, NOC, sysadmin

5-year ROI: (annual premium × 5) − exam fees − study materials − one renewal cycle. Salary data: BLS OEWS, CompTIA IT Industry Outlook 2025.

Network+ Wins on Cost-per-Dollar-Gained

One exam ($358) vs two exams ($492). Network+ costs 27% less to get while paying $2,000 more per year. Over 5 years, Network+ nets roughly $10,000 more than A+ after accounting for the cost difference. The math on Network+ is just better.

Career ceiling matters here too. Network+ leads directly into CCNA, Security+, and cloud certs — all of which pay $25,000–$40,000 above base. A+ leads into roles that top out around $55,000–$65,000 as a primary credential. Network+ is not just a better entry cert; it's a better career foundation.

A+ Wins on Entry-Level Job Volume

Help desk and desktop support job postings list A+ at roughly 3–4x the frequency of Network+. For someone with zero IT experience trying to land a first job, A+ has more doors. Government and defense contractor jobs requiring DoD 8570 IAT Level I compliance list A+ Core 2 explicitly — it's embedded in hiring criteria at defense primes, federal agencies, and military branches.

If you're targeting government IT or defense contractor work specifically, A+ is non-negotiable. Network+ also satisfies DoD 8570 at IAT Level I and CSSP Analyst, but A+ appears more frequently as the baseline requirement in those environments.

The Case for Getting Both

A+ + Network+ together cost $850–$900 in exam fees. The combined credential covers help desk through network administration, government IT through commercial networking. Many IT generalists hold both, especially in small IT shops where one person handles everything from laptop repair to switch configuration.

The sequential path — A+ first, Network+ 3–6 months later — lets you build knowledge incrementally and start earning before you complete both. If employer reimbursement is available, use it for both. The combined cost is low enough that employer reimbursement of either cert effectively makes both free.

See the CompTIA vs CCNA comparison if your goal is enterprise networking — CCNA may be worth skipping CompTIA certs entirely depending on your starting point.

Common Questions

Should I get CompTIA A+ or Network+ first?

A+ first with no IT experience — it builds the hardware and OS foundation that Network+ assumes. Network+ first if you have IT experience and know you're going into networking. Experienced IT people often skip A+ entirely. If you're targeting help desk, start with A+. If you're targeting network roles, start with Network+.

Does A+ or Network+ pay more?

Network+: ~$15,000/yr premium. A+: ~$13,000/yr. Network+ also leads to higher-ceiling roles (CCNA, Security+, cloud certs) that pay $25,000–$40,000 above base. A+ tops out in help desk and desktop support around $55,000–$65,000. Network+ wins on both immediate and long-term earning potential.

How hard is Network+ vs A+?

Network+ is harder. It goes deep on TCP/IP, subnetting, routing protocols, wireless standards, and network security — areas A+ only touches on. A+ covers more breadth (hardware, OS, troubleshooting, mobile, virtualization, cloud basics) but less depth in any single area. Both have comparable pass rates. Network+ typically requires 2–3 months of focused study; A+ takes similar time but covers a wider surface area.

Is CompTIA A+ still worth it in 2026?

Yes for a first IT job, especially in government/defense contractor work where DoD 8570 requirements list A+ explicitly. For commercial IT, it opens help desk and desktop support roles. The concern is career ceiling — plan to add Network+ or Security+ within 12–18 months to move into higher-paying tiers. A+ alone is a starting point, not a destination.

CompTIA A+ ROI

Full A+ cost and payback breakdown

Network+ ROI

Network+ cost, salary, career path

CompTIA vs CCNA

Networking cert comparison

Data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Official Certification Body Fee Schedules, O*NET Occupation Data

Last updated: January 2025

How we calculate this · Payback calculations assume you qualify for and secure a role that values the certification. Outcomes vary by employer, region, and experience level.

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