IS COMPTIA A+ WORTH IT?

IS COMPTIA A+ WORTH IT?

IT professionals and those interested in entering the tech world ask this question a lot. You may wonder the same thing. Should I bother with CompTIA A+? What are the benefits to me? The answer is simple – Yes. The CompTIA A+ certification is a valuable achievement and is recognized worldwide. It can lead to a higher salary and job security or assist in landing a new or even your first IT position. The A+ certification confirms your foundational knowledge and opens networking opportunities.

Why is CompTIA A+ Worth It? Higher Salary

Certified professionals are in high demand and the salaries that they receive reflect this. As a premier foundational certification, CompTIA reports that those holding the CompTIA A+ certification earn an average annual salary of $78,629 and that pay rate continues to climb. Between 2019 and 2020, the Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report indicated that the salaries of IT professionals in the United States grew by 3.6%. If you want to move even further in your career and earn an even higher salary, A+ acts as a strong foundational certification on top of which higher certifications can be stacked.

Why is CompTIA A+ Worth It? Job Security

A recent report by LinkedIn reinforced the value of IT certifications like A+. The IT industry has a “negative” unemployment rate, meaning that there are more job openings than there are qualified candidates to fill them. Unemployment is virtually non-existent for those with the proper capabilities. In the first half of 2020 alone, more than 200,000 new positions were added in the tech sector and this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing. The challenge in IT is not in finding jobs but in employers finding skilled employees to fill them. Having a certification such as A+ reinforces your position as a knowledgeable IT expert.

Why is CompTIA A+ Worth It? Upward Mobility

Are you satisfied with your work, but looking for a new position? If so, A+ can make you even more appealing to potential employers. As noted above, there are many job openings for IT professionals, and having a certification can set you apart from other candidates, allowing you to be even choosier when selecting a new position. In fact, 96% of managers report that they use certifications as a factor when making hiring decisions. Are you happy in your current role? Earning the A+ certification puts you in a solid position to ask for a promotion, pay increase, or greater benefits. Earning your A+ certification not only confirms your skills, but also demonstrates your commitment to gaining and applying in-demand technical proficiencies.

Why is CompTIA A+ Worth It? Networking Opportunities

The industry has long recognized the value of A+. A+ is one of the most popular technical certifications, with over one million IT professionals having already earned it. Holding it will not only confirm your knowledge but also open up a number of networking possibilities. Both LinkedIn (16,000+ members) and Facebook (10,000+ members) have groups for A+ professionals. These and several in-person events offer extended chances for those holding the certification to discuss careers, job openings, tips, tricks, suggestions, and more.

Is CompTIA A+ Worth It? Yes!

Simply put, the CompTIA A+ certification is worth the cost and your efforts to earn. With A+ in hand, you can expect to receive a higher salary and benefit from solid job security. A+ can also act as a springboard to a new position, a higher certification, or both. It opens up a number of avenues for personal and professional growth.

So, is the CompTIA A+ certification worth it? It most certainly is.