IT support offers countless paths to fulfilling jobs and rewarding pay – you determine the direction and, ultimately, how much money you can earn with CompTIA A+. Not everyone has the same reason for getting certified. In general, you can apply your CompTIA A+ certification in these ways:
- Attract the attention of employers with an endorsem*nt of your skills that is respected globally and industrywide
- Position yourself to launch your IT career
- Confirm to yourself that you've mastered the latest skills and concepts that act as the foundation of a career in IT
In all scenarios, CompTIA A+ can serve as a springboard for a career in IT. CompTIA A+ is the only industry-recognized credential with performance-based items to prove IT pros can think on their feet to perform critical IT support tasks in the moment.
It is trusted by employers around the world to identify the go-to person in endpoint and technical support roles. CompTIA A+ is regularly re-invented by IT experts to ensure that it validates the core skills and abilities demanded in the workplace.
Jobs That Require or Benefit from a CompTIA A+ Certification
CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and is the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. Jobs like support specialist, field service technician, desktop support analyst and help desk tier 2 support use the skills validated by CompTIA A+ certification.
Furthermore, companies like Intel, Dell, Ricoh, Nissan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and HP all look for CompTIA A+ certification in hiring.
Other CompTIA A+ job titles include the following:
- Service desk analyst
- Technical support specialist
- Field service technician
- Associate network engineer
- Data support technician
- Desktop support administrator
- End-user computing technician
- Help desk technician
- System support specialist
The Reality of Mean Salary Percentiles
When researching salaries and aiming your career at specific job titles, remember that you may see a range of salaries for one particular job because some companies, as well as some geographies, will pay more than others.
Companies that pay more may also demand more – in terms of experience or responsibilities. The result is a range of possible salaries for any particular job title and the reality of mean salary percentiles.
- IT support specialist: $54,500
- Field service technician: $46,000
- Desktop support analyst: $60,000
- Help desk tier 2 support: $45,000
5 Ways to Boost Your Pay
The pay you can expect from a particular IT job can vary significantly from the median pay depending on a number of factors that may benefit your role for a certain position. Here are five ways to help increase your pay:
- Prior Experience: Reducing training time and having expertise that goes beyond your job description may increase your value to an employer. Similarly, prior related job experience provides trust and builds expectations on the side of an employer that can benefit the numbers on your paycheck.
- Additional Training and Certifications: If CompTIA A+ isn’t your first certification and if you can showcase additional completed training, you may expand the reach of your certifications and qualify for jobs that you otherwise would not – and, in turn, become a candidate for a higher-paying position. Review CompTIA Stackable Certifications to find out how you can build your IT career path with CompTIA certifications. CompTIA IT Pro Membership also offers access to training.
- Commitment: Becoming certified is the first step to your IT career. Staying certified is even more important and can show employers that you’re committed to your job and that you’re in sync with a rapidly evolving industry.
- Regional Differences: The pay for a job in one area may be vastly different than what is offered in another area. For example, a systems administrator working in New York, NY, on average, will make about 15 percent, or $14,650, more than the exact same position in Denver, CO.
- Industry Variations: Keep in mind that some industries may have, in their details, different expectations for certain job titles than others and offer different pay as a result.
The Personal Factor
Don’t underestimate your personal impact on the pay that you can expect from your job. In addition to the pay boosters discussed above, there are a few more key things that can give you the best shot at landing that first job and making a case for the pay you’re looking for:
- Network: Connecting with IT pros and building your professional network is incredibly important to starting and advancing your career. Be active on social networks such as LinkedIn, engage in newsgroups and forums, and get involved in local IT groups, such as CompTIA IT Pro Membership. CompTIA IT Pro Membership not only offers training and job tools, but also access to local chapters that enable you to be in touch with what’s going on in your community.
- Keep Your Technical Skills Up to Date: Make sure that you’re proficient in new technologies. Spend time on IT websites, subscribe to newsletters or even contribute to blogs.
- Hone Your Soft Skills: Your communication skills can greatly influence your ability to land a job. Having an overall positive attitude, managing your time effectively, solving problems, showing self-confidence, coping with pressure and having a strong work ethic all prove that you’re an employee worth investing in.
Ready for a Career in IT?
CompTIA now offers a number of exam training options for A+ to fit your particular learning style and schedule, many of which may be used in combination with each other as you prepare for your exam.
There’s a wealth of information to take you from deciding if CompTIA A+ is right for you all the way to taking your exam. We’re with you every step of the way!
