Are CompTIA Certifications Worth It in 2023?

Since they launched in 1982, CompTIA certifications have gone from obscurity to become among some of the most popular IT certifications in the world. They are vendor-neutral, which means they are not specific to any one technology or vendor. This makes them a good choice for IT professionals who want to be marketable to a wide range of employers.

The question we all want to know when embarking upon certification study is:

• Will this help me get a job (i.e., is it relevant)?
• Is it worth the time, effort, and expense (i.e., will I be rewarded suitably in the end)?

In 2023, CompTIA certifications are still worth it for a number of reasons, in our opinion.

First, they can help you land a job in IT. According to a study by CompTIA, 82% of employers say that CompTIA certifications are important or very important when making hiring decisions. CompTIA covers the topics missed by most vendor certifications, who usually expect around 18 months of on-the-job knowledge. Stuff like TCP/IP, subnetting, security standards, and so on.

Second, CompTIA certifications can help you advance your career. Many employers require CompTIA certifications for positions at higher levels, such as systems administrator or network engineer.

Third, CompTIA certifications can help you earn more money. A study by PayScale found that IT professionals with CompTIA certifications earn an average of $10,000 more per year than those without certifications.

Here are some specific examples of how much more you can earn with a CompTIA certification:

• CompTIA A+: The average salary for an IT professional with a CompTIA A+ certification is \$52,000 – \$129,000. The average salary for an IT professional without a CompTIA A+ certification is \$47,000 – \$124,000. This means that IT professionals with a CompTIA A+ certification can earn an average of $5,000 more per year than those without a certification.
• CompTIA Network+: The average salary for an IT professional with a CompTIA Network+ certification is \$61,000 – \$102,000. The average salary for an IT professional without a CompTIA Network+ certification is \$56,000 – \$97,000. This means that IT professionals with a CompTIA Network+ certification can earn an average of $5,000 more per year than those without a certification.
• CompTIA Security+: The average salary for an IT professional with a CompTIA Security+ certification is \$52,000 – \$129,000. The average salary for an IT professional without a CompTIA Security+ certification is \$47,000 – \$124,000. This means that IT professionals with a CompTIA Security+ certification can earn an average of $5,000 more per year than those without a certification.

Of course, the amount of money you earn with a CompTIA certification will also depend on your experience, skills, and location. However, having a CompTIA certification is a great way to increase your earning potential and advance your career in IT.

Fourth, CompTIA certifications are a requirement for many Department of Defense roles. The DoD considers the knowledge you gain for many of the CompTIA certifications must-know. Without it, you won’t be considered for many roles either in or for a company contracting for the DoD. For example, Security+ is compliant with ISO 17024 standards and approved by the U.S. DoD to meet directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements.

Of course, there are also some potential drawbacks to getting CompTIA certifications.

First, they can be expensive. The cost of the exams can range from $200 to $300 each.

Second, CompTIA certifications can be time-consuming to earn. The exams can be challenging, and you will need to study for several weeks or more likely, months to pass them.

Third, CompTIA certifications expire after three years. This means that you will need to renew your certifications every three years in order to maintain your skills and knowledge. By this time, you may well be rusty and feel like you are having to start from scratch.

Overall, CompTIA certifications are still worth it in 2023. They can help you land a job, advance your career, and earn more money. However, it is important to weigh the costs and benefits before deciding whether or not to get certified.

Here are some additional pros and cons of CompTIA certifications to consider:

Pros:

• Vendor-neutral, making them marketable to a wide range of employers
• Required for many positions at higher levels
• It can help you earn more money
• Can help you stay up-to-date on the latest IT trends
• Can give you a competitive edge in the job market

Cons:

• It can be time-consuming to earn
• Expire after three years
• Not as respected as some other certifications, such as Cisco certifications
• It can be expensive (especially if you fail once or twice)

If you are considering getting a CompTIA certification, here are a few things you can do to make the most of it:

• Choose the right certification for your career goals. There are many different CompTIA certifications available, so it is important to choose one that is relevant to the jobs you want to apply for.
• Study for the exam thoroughly. The CompTIA exams are challenging, so it is important to study for several weeks or months to give yourself the best chance of passing.
• Network with other IT professionals. Attend industry events, join relevant organizations, and connect with people on LinkedIn. This will help you learn about job opportunities and get your foot in the door with potential employers.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest IT trends. The IT industry is constantly changing, so it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. This will help you keep your skills and knowledge relevant and marketable.

If you do these things, then getting a CompTIA certification can be a valuable asset to your IT career.

Read more on the CompTIA A+ certification page.