Is A+ worth it for someone already in IT?

Usually not. A+ is an entry cert. If you have more than 1 year of IT experience, Network+ or Security+ will produce a larger salary premium for similar or less study time. The exception is federal contracting: A+ satisfies DoD 8570 IAT Level I, which covers the lowest-tier cleared IT positions. In the DC/Northern Virginia corridor, this opens $55,000-$65,000 roles that may otherwise require degree substitution.

CompTIA A+: Cost vs Salary Increase

Two exams totaling $984. The entry point for IT support careers — here's what it actually pays and when it's worth pursuing.

A+ Total Cost Breakdown

Item	Cost
Core 1 exam fee (220-1101)	$246
Core 2 exam fee (220-1102)	$246
Professor Messer's study guide + practice tests	$35–$50
Mike Meyers All-in-One study guide (optional)	$45–$55
Practice exam software (Jason Dion)	$15–$30
Realistic total (budget route)	$530–$560
Realistic total (full materials)	$580–$630
3-year renewal (20 CEUs or retake)	$0–$492

A+ requires two separate exams. Both must be passed to earn the certification. CompTIA exam fees as of 2026. Renewal requires only 20 CEUs — the lowest of any CompTIA cert.

A+ Salary Impact

Role	Without A+	With A+	Annual Increase
IT support / help desk (entry)	$38,000	$50,000	+$12,000
Desktop support technician	$44,000	$57,000	+$13,000
Field service technician	$42,000	$54,000	+$12,000
Federal IT support (DoD 8570 Level I)	$48,000	$62,000	+$14,000

Source: BLS OEWS, CompTIA IT Industry Outlook 2025. A+ premium is strongest at the entry level. As experience grows, other certs (Network+, Security+) typically matter more than A+.

Your A+ Payback Calculator

Current Annual Salary

Expected Total Cost

The Honest A+ Assessment

A+ has lost some of its premium over the past decade as IT support has commoditized. The salary floor for uncertified IT support is lower than it used to be, and A+ lifts you out of that floor. But the ceiling hasn't moved as much as certs in cloud and security.

Where it still pays well: federal and defense contracting, and corporate IT roles with DoD 8570 requirements. A+ satisfies IAT Level I, which covers help desk and desktop support roles requiring access to DoD systems. These positions pay $50,000-$65,000 in markets like DC, Colorado Springs, and Huntsville — places with heavy defense contractor presence.

Should You Get A+ Before Network+?

Only if you have zero IT background. A+ covers hardware diagnostics, Windows/macOS/Linux basics, mobile devices, printers, and basic networking. If you can already troubleshoot a PC, understand IP addressing, and work with Active Directory, you're beyond the A+ material. Skip it and start with Network+.

The two-exam requirement is also worth considering. $492 in exam fees for a cert that produces a $12,000-$13,000 salary premium. Compare that to Security+: $392 for one exam, $17,000-$25,000 premium. If you're past the entry level, the math favors Security+ strongly.

Best Study Path

Study Core 1 and Core 2 materials simultaneously. The exams can be taken separately, but the topics overlap and studying them together is more efficient than sequential prep. Professor Messer's free courses cover both. Take Core 1 first — it's slightly more hardware-focused and most people find it easier. Pass Core 1, then take Core 2 within 6 months while the material is fresh.

Common Questions

How much does CompTIA A+ cost?

Two exams at $246 each = $492 in exam fees. Study materials add $35-$140 depending on resources. Total realistic cost: $530-$630. A+ is the only CompTIA cert that requires two exams, which makes it more expensive than Network+ ($358) or Security+ ($392) despite being considered an easier cert.

Is A+ worth it for people already in IT?

Rarely. If you've been in IT for more than a year, the premium for A+ is small relative to what you'd get from Network+ or Security+. Employers generally don't increase pay for A+ in mid-career IT roles — it's an entry cert. The exception is federal contracting, where it satisfies specific DoD 8570 requirements that increase your contract value or billable rate.

How long does A+ take to prepare for?

1-3 months for most people studying 1-2 hours per day. People with hands-on IT experience can often pass in 4-6 weeks. The exam tests breadth, not depth — hardware, operating systems, networking basics, cloud concepts, virtualization, mobile devices. The performance-based questions (like Security+) require hands-on familiarity, not just memorization.

ROI Calculator CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Security+ Top Certifications Ranked Best ROI Rankings

Data: BLS OEWS, CompTIA IT Industry Outlook 2025. Updated March 2026.

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.