CompTIA Certifications Guide: A+, Security+, Network+ & More (2026)

What Is CompTIA and Why Do Its Certifications Matter?

CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) is a vendor-neutral IT certification body that has issued credentials since 1993. Its certifications are widely recognized by employers, the U.S. Department of Defense (which requires CompTIA Security+ for many contractor roles under DoD 8570), and IT hiring managers across virtually every industry.

What makes CompTIA unique is its vendor-neutral approach. While certifications from AWS, Microsoft, or Cisco validate skills on specific platforms, CompTIA credentials test fundamental concepts that apply across all environments. This makes them especially valuable at the beginning of an IT career — before you've committed to a specific platform stack — and as a complement to vendor-specific certs later on.

CompTIA certifications are performance-based, using a mix of multiple-choice and simulated, hands-on questions that require demonstrating skills, not just recalling facts. This makes preparation more demanding but also makes the credentials more credible to employers.

The CompTIA Certification Roadmap

CompTIA organizes its certifications into several tracks:

• Core certifications: IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+), A+, Network+, Security+
• Infrastructure certifications: Server+, Cloud+
• Cybersecurity certifications: CySA+, PenTest+, CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner)
• Data and analytics: Data+
• Additional: Project+, CTT+

For most IT professionals, the core path is: A+ → Network+ → Security+. From Security+, paths diverge based on specialization.

CompTIA A+: Entry-Level IT Foundation

The A+ is the standard starting point for IT support careers. It covers hardware, software, operating systems, networking fundamentals, troubleshooting, and basic security. No prerequisites are required, though CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of hands-on lab or field experience.

A+ exam details:

• Two exams required: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102)
• Maximum 90 questions per exam; 90 minutes per exam
• Question types: multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based simulations
• Passing score: 675/900 for Core 1; 700/900 for Core 2

A+ exam cost: $246 per exam, so $492 for both. CompTIA bundles are available that provide discounted pricing for both exams plus study materials.

Jobs A+ unlocks: Help Desk Technician, IT Support Specialist, Desktop Support Analyst, Field Service Technician. Starting salaries: $40,000–$55,000/year depending on market.

The A+ is particularly valued by managed service providers (MSPs), IT staffing firms, and corporate IT departments for entry-level hiring. It is also a gateway credential for U.S. government and defense contractor IT roles, which often list A+ as a baseline requirement.

CompTIA Network+: Networking Fundamentals

The Network+ covers networking concepts, infrastructure, network operations, network security, and network troubleshooting. It is typically the second credential in the CompTIA core path, taken after A+ or by candidates with existing networking experience.

Network+ exam details:

• One exam: N10-009 (current version as of 2026)
• Maximum 90 questions; 90 minutes
• Multiple choice and performance-based questions
• Passing score: 720/900

Network+ exam cost: $338

Jobs Network+ unlocks: Network Administrator, System Administrator, Network Support Specialist, IT Analyst. Salary range: $55,000–$75,000/year in most markets.

Network+ is also accepted by the DoD 8570 framework as a baseline networking credential for certain contract roles. It complements Cisco certifications (CCNA) and is often pursued before or alongside the entry-level Cisco credential.

CompTIA Security+: The Cybersecurity Standard

Security+ is CompTIA's most popular and widely recognized certification. It is the DoD 8570 baseline certification for information assurance technical roles and is listed as a requirement or strong preference on thousands of government contractor, federal agency, and corporate security job postings.

Security+ exam details:

• One exam: SY0-701 (current version)
• Maximum 90 questions; 90 minutes
• Multiple choice and performance-based questions
• Passing score: 750/900

Security+ exam cost: $392

Security+ content domains:

• General Security Concepts (12%)
• Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%)
• Security Architecture (18%)
• Security Operations (28%)
• Security Program Management and Oversight (20%)

Jobs Security+ unlocks: Security Analyst, IT Auditor, Security Engineer, Cybersecurity Specialist, Systems Administrator (with security focus). Salary range: $70,000–$95,000/year. In government contracting and federal roles, Security+ is often a hard requirement for employment.

CompTIA recommends Network+ experience and 2 years of IT administration experience before sitting for Security+. In practice, motivated candidates with strong foundational knowledge and good preparation materials can pass Security+ without that background — but it is genuinely difficult without some hands-on context.

CompTIA CySA+: Intermediate Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is a mid-level security certification focused on threat detection, analysis, and response. It bridges the gap between Security+ and advanced certifications like CASP+ or industry-standard credentials like the CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or CISSP.

CySA+ exam details:

• One exam: CS0-003
• Maximum 85 questions; 165 minutes
• Multiple choice and performance-based questions
• Passing score: 750/900

CySA+ exam cost: $392

Jobs CySA+ unlocks: SOC Analyst (Tier 2+), Threat Intelligence Analyst, Vulnerability Analyst, Security Operations Engineer. Salary range: $80,000–$110,000/year.

CySA+ is also DoD 8570 approved for Cyber Security Service Provider (CSSP) roles, making it a natural progression for government and contractor security professionals.

CompTIA PenTest+ and CASP+: Advanced Tracks

For security professionals pursuing offensive security or senior architecture roles:

• PenTest+ (PT0-003): Covers penetration testing methodologies, planning, scoping, and reporting. Exam fee: $392. Competes with the OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) but is generally considered more accessible and less hands-on in its validation approach. Good for roles as Penetration Tester or Vulnerability Researcher at $90,000–$130,000+/year.
• CASP+ (CAS-005): CompTIA's advanced-level security certification for practitioners (not managers) who design and implement security solutions in complex enterprise environments. Exam fee: $494. Targets senior security engineers, security architects, and principal security roles at $110,000–$150,000+/year. CASP+ is DoD 8570 compliant for the IAT Level III category.

CompTIA Cloud+ and Data+

For professionals building toward cloud or data roles:

• Cloud+ (CV0-004): Covers cloud architecture, deployment, security, and operations from a vendor-neutral perspective. Exam fee: $338. Good complement to AWS, Azure, or GCP vendor certifications. Unlocks Cloud Administrator, Cloud Engineer, and DevOps roles at $85,000–$115,000/year.
• Data+ (DA0-001): Covers data concepts and environments, data mining, data analysis, visualization, and data governance. Exam fee: $338. Useful for IT professionals moving into data roles who want to complement SQL and tool-specific skills with a recognized credential.

CompTIA Certification Costs: Full Comparison

• ITF+: $123
• A+ (per exam): $246 × 2 = $492 total
• Network+: $338
• Security+: $392
• Cloud+: $338
• Data+: $338
• CySA+: $392
• PenTest+: $392
• CASP+: $494
• Server+: $338

CompTIA CertMaster exam vouchers are sometimes available at discounted prices through academic institutions, employer education benefits, or CompTIA partner programs. Always check whether your employer offers exam fee reimbursement — many IT employers treat CompTIA certifications as standard professional development expenses.

CompTIA Certification Renewal

CompTIA certifications are valid for 3 years. Renewal is managed through CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program, which requires earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs):

• A+: 20 CEUs
• Network+: 30 CEUs
• Security+: 50 CEUs
• CySA+, PenTest+: 60 CEUs
• CASP+: 75 CEUs

CEUs can be earned through training courses, conferences, publishing, mentoring, and other professional development activities. The annual CE fee is $50 for most certifications. Alternatively, passing a higher CompTIA exam automatically renews lower-level certifications in the same track.

How Much Do CompTIA Certifications Boost Your Salary?

CompTIA certifications deliver measurable salary impact across the career progression:

• A+: Entry salary $40,000–$55,000 vs. $30,000–$40,000 without any cert — meaningful for career starters
• Network+: Typical salary jump of $5,000–$12,000 over A+ level when combined with experience
• Security+: Often unlocks a $10,000–$20,000 salary increase over Network+-level roles, especially in government and defense contracting where it is a hard requirement
• CySA+/PenTest+: Mid-level security roles at $80,000–$110,000+ in most markets
• CASP+: Senior security roles at $110,000–$150,000+

The highest salary leverage comes from Security+, primarily because it is a hard requirement — not just a preference — for so many government and contractor roles. If you're targeting federal IT or defense contracting, Security+ is the single highest-ROI certification in the CompTIA stack.

Ready to put your CompTIA certifications to work? Use TryApplyNow to find IT and cybersecurity roles that specifically require or prefer CompTIA credentials — and match your certification level to roles where you'll be competitive.