CompTIA is often the first stop for IT professionals looking to refresh their tech careers. For those new to tech, our certifications serve as dependable starting points, allowing learners to explore the different options available for a career in technology.
If you’re interested in a career in computer networking, you should learn the foundations of IT by completing the CompTIA A+ certification, the industry standard for preparing for entry-level IT roles. The next step is our core networking certification, CompTIA Network+.
The newest version of CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) focuses on foundational networking tools and technologies used to create secure networks and guarantee the availability of critical business information. After developing the in-demand set of skills covered under Network+, you can pursue specific networking jobs.
IT professionals who have CompTIA Network+ are qualified for the following IT jobs:
What skills does CompTIA Network+ cover?
CompTIA Network+ provides the foundational skills required to work on networks anywhere. It is the only certification that covers the specific networking tools and technologies that network engineers need to create secure connections and guarantee the availability of business-critical data. Other certifications are more broad and don’t cover the hands-on skills and precise knowledge needed in today’s networking environments.
To be successful in any of the above-listed jobs, an individual should be able to do the following:
- Implement enterprise-level wired and wireless network solutions
- Guarantee the availability of critical business information.
- Identify and troubleshoot network performance issues
- Harden networks against threats to mitigate security vulnerabilities
- Stay up to date on the latest security protocols to maintain network security
CompTIA Network+ covers these topics in depth to prepare you for a networking career. (Check out the exam objectives for yourself — download them for free!) Additionally, unlike other vendor-specific networking certifications, CompTIA Network+ prepares candidates to support networks on any platform. It provides the foundation you need to work on networks anywhere.
Four jobs you’ll be prepared for with CompTIA Network+
The following job roles align directly with what you learn while studying for the CompTIA Network+ exam. If you’re already CompTIA Network+ certified, read on to see if one of these jobs is of interest to you!
1. Junior network administrator
If you like to manage systems and solve connectivity issues, then network administration may be a good next step for you. A junior network administrator supports the company’s internal servers by:
- Installing and maintaining the network and hardware systems
- Diagnosing and repairing connectivity issues
- Ensuring users only have access to allowed files
- Monitoring the network to maintain speed and availability
- Managing backup systems for the network
CompTIA Network+ exam objective includes a range of skill objectives including how to install and configure the appropriate wireless standards and technologies and troubleshooting common cable connectivity issues.
The demand for network administrators has been growing over the past several years and is expected to continue to grow, which makes it a great career path for those with CompTIA Network+. Network administrators also earn a median annual wage of $90,000 according to the CompTIA Career Explorer.
Read more about becoming a network administrator
2. Junior systems engineer
If you like computer software and designing solutions for specific problems, then a career as a systems engineer could be right for you.
Some responsibilities of a junior systems engineer include:
- Communicating with a team to understand system requirements, including network design, device installation, and usage of data
- Verifying operability, portability, and scalability of system architecture
- Evaluating current and emerging technologies and considering their implementation within an enterprise network
- Monitoring systems to detect and prevent potential threats
CompTIA Network+ exam objectives cover critical skills including network architecture and network security that systems engineers manage on a regular basis.
Read more about becoming a systems engineer
3. Network Support Specialist
If you like solving problems or building computers, then a career as a network support specialist could be for you.
Network support specialists typically have the following responsibilities:
- Backing up network data
- Configuring security settings or access permissions to ensure the right people can get in and the wrong ones cannot
- Analyzing and reporting security breaches or attempted breaches
- Troubleshooting the network to identify connectivity issues and using diagnostic testing software and equipment
- Configuring wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment
- Installing network software, such as security or firewall software
- Evaluating network performance data regarding things like speed, connectivity and disaster recovery
For example, CompTIA Network+ exam domain 5.0 encompasses all things network troubleshooting, and domain 4.0 covers network security, which are a large part of the job for network support specialists. Exam objective 1.2 covers the characteristics of network topologies and network types like WAN and LAN.
Network support specialist salaries range from $42,000 to $120,000 with a median annual wage of $68,000 (CompTIA Career Explorer).
Read more about becoming a network support specialist
4. Systems Administrator
Systems administrators keep a company’s IT systems running. Their critical role ensures that employees can access what they need when they need it.
A systems administrator’s responsibilities include:
- Ensuring the company hardware and software are working as intended
- Installing all the applications needed to support the organization
- Updating systems when new software is released
- Maintaining user accounts and access
Network implementations and monitoring network operations — which are most of a systems administrator’s role — make up all of exam domains 2.0 and 3.0. These two domains equal 35% of the exam!
A systems administrator’s salary can range from $56,000 to $140,000 depending on experience with a median annual wage of $90,000 (CompTIA Career Explorer).
Read more about becoming a systems administrator
Organizations value IT professionals that can prove they have the foundational networking skills to troubleshoot, configure and manage networks. CompTIA Network+ validates the technical skills needed to securely establish, maintain and troubleshoot the essential networks that businesses rely on.
Download the CompTIA Network+ exam objectives to get started in your computer networking career. And if you already have CompTIA Network+, explore the jobs you can get that are related to your certification.
