5 IT Careers Where A+ Really Counts
CompTIA A+ certification is a great starting point for your IT career. The CompTIA certification not only teaches you the basics about hardware, but it also validates your knowledge to managers looking to fill open positions. It'll likely move you higher on the "interview" list.
But what type of career opportunities will the certification open? Especially if you're new to the industry, you may not know exactly which promising career paths are available or how CompTIA A+ can help you get there.
Here are five career pathways that A+ will fast-track for you, listed from least to most advanced.
1. Help Desk Technician / Help Desk Analyst
Average helpdesk tech salary: $41,000 - $50,000 per year
The entry-level help desk position is a starting point for many IT pros. Just as the help desk role is foundational to many IT careers, A+ is foundational to the help desk role itself.
CompTIA's A+ certification demonstrates a broad, comprehensive background in the skills required for a help desk support role, including network administration and information security, as well as troubleshooting software and hardware systems.
2. Systems / Network Administrator
Average network admin salary: $66,000 - $94,000
Network administrators are core to maintaining a company's existing systems and innovating to drive cost savings and modernization.
NOTE: While some shops distinguish between sysadmins and network admins, we're combining the roles into a single umbrella here. As we all know, the job description and actual duties are often quite different.
To be successful as a network admin, you'll need a broad set of skills validated by the CompTIA A+ certification, including troubleshooting. Strong troubleshooting skills are a critical part of the role and an excellent starting point for your entire networking career.
3. Database Administrator
Average database administrator salary: $66,000 - $146,000
Database administrators play a pivotal role in their company's stability and operational success. DBAs also have a high potential for career and salary growth, so if you have your eye on this fast-moving IT career field, getting your A+ certification is a great place to start.
Successful database admins possess a balanced range of skills, beginning with a broad yet thorough understanding of networking, troubleshooting, and security across hardware and software in a business setting.
DBAs must possess communication and customer service skills to work across departments within the business. While it's not on the A+ exam, you might also want to brush up on your soft skills (according to Bruce Lee).
4. Server Technician / Administrator
Average salary: $60,500 - $120,000
There are many ways to make a career in server environments. Whether you're building or maintaining servers running Microsoft, Linux, or UNIX operating systems, the CompTIA A+ certification covers the basics you'll need to know.
While there are some advanced certifications dedicated to server administration, such as Microsoft MCSA Windows Server 2012, the A+ is your starting point.
As with many roles on this list, accurate troubleshooting and solving complex issues are at the heart of server administration. To succeed in today's server job market, you'll need a firm understanding of virtualization, desktop imaging, and deployment. All of these concepts are woven through the A+ certification curriculum.
5. IT Security Specialist
Average salary: $72,000
IT security roles are among the hottest in the market, and a CompTIA A+ certification can help you meet the requirements for some security specialist roles. In these positions, you'll need a thorough understanding of the areas that A+ covers, such as networking, operating system administration, and hardware and software installation and configuration.
Keith Barker said that learning (or brushing up on) the fundamentals is the single most important thing you can do to start your IT security career. For instance, can you list every step that happens when you click "send" on an email? If not, then it's time to start learning.
Even if you have years of experience and never earned the A+, it might be a worthwhile investment for your future security career. Passing the A+ certification exams sends a strong message to employers that you're ready for the nuts and bolts associated with a career in IT security.
Final Thoughts on A+ Certification
While no degree or certification is a guaranteed ticket to your next job, CompTIA's A+ is worth it to show employers that you're ready to advance in the field and prepare you for more advanced certifications.
CompTIA A+ is only the first step toward a successful IT career. Once you've earned your first cert, you'll be ready to take the next steps. If you're wondering what's next, we've laid out career pathways for IT pros following the networking, security, DevOps, virtualization, and system administration routes.
Studying for CompTIA A+? You could win a private 1:1 session with a CBT Nuggets expert trainer. Enter the A+ giveaway — any learner enrolled in A+ Core 1 or Core 2 before March 22nd, 2026 is eligible.
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