CompTIA Network+: Cost vs Salary Increase
$358 exam. The most recognized vendor-neutral networking certification for IT generalists — here's the salary data and whether it's worth your time.
Network+ Total Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Exam fee (N10-009) | $358 |
| Professor Messer's course + practice tests | $0–$35 |
| Mike Meyers study guide (McGraw-Hill) | $45–$55 |
| Jason Dion practice exams (Udemy) | $15–$30 |
| Realistic total (budget route) | $390–$420 |
| Realistic total (full materials) | $430–$480 |
| 3-year renewal (30 CEUs or retake) | $0–$358 |
CompTIA exam fees as of 2026. Professor Messer's free Network+ course is the most widely recommended free resource. Renewal requires 30 CEUs over 3 years.
Network+ Salary Impact by Role
| Role | Without Network+ | With Network+ | Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Help desk / IT support | $45,000 | $58,000 | +$13,000 |
| Network technician | $55,000 | $72,000 | +$17,000 |
| Systems / network administrator | $65,000 | $82,000 | +$17,000 |
| Junior cloud / infrastructure | $70,000 | $86,000 | +$16,000 |
Source: BLS OEWS, CompTIA IT Industry Outlook 2025. Network+ alone produces smaller salary jumps than Security+, but it stacks well — Network+ + Security+ combined open a much wider door than either alone.
Your Network+ Payback Calculator
Network+ as a Stepping Stone
Network+ rarely justifies itself as a standalone career move. The salary premium is real — $13,000-$17,000 — but it's highest when combined with other certs. Employers who pay significantly more for Network+ holders are usually paying for the Network+/Security+ combination or the Network+/CCNA pairing, not Network+ in isolation.
The cert's main value is as a foundation. Security+, CCNA, and cloud certifications all assume networking knowledge. Having Network+ on your resume signals that foundation. More practically, many federal contracting positions list Network+ as a DoD 8570 IAT Level I requirement — the lowest-tier cleared IT position. If government work is your target, it's a fast on-ramp.
Network+ vs CCNA: Which One?
CCNA pays more. Cisco's associate networking cert is vendor-specific (Cisco equipment) but commands a larger salary premium than Network+ because Cisco dominates enterprise networking. If you know you want a career in networking administration or engineering, skip Network+ and go straight to CCNA. The CCNA prep covers all the same concepts Network+ does, plus more.
Network+ makes sense if you want vendor-neutral credentials (applies to any network, not just Cisco), if your employer has a CompTIA certification path, or if you need a DoD 8570 baseline cert quickly. CCNA makes sense if you're targeting enterprise networking or telecom roles.
Common Questions
How much does CompTIA Network+ cost?
Should I get A+ before Network+?
Is Network+ still worth it in 2026?
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.