How Much Can I Make with a CompTIA Network+ Certification?

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 Network+. Not everyone has the same reason for getting certified. In general, you can apply your CompTIA Network+ certification in the following ways:

  • Attract the attention of employers with an endorsement of your skills that is respected globally and industry-wide.
  • Position yourself to launch your network career.
  • Confirm to yourself that you've mastered the latest skills and concepts that act as the foundation of a career in IT infrastructure covering troubleshooting, configuring, and managing networks.

In all scenarios, CompTIA Network+ can serve as a springboard for a career in networking and even cybersecurity. Unlike other vendor-specific networking certifications, CompTIA Network+ prepares you to support the network regardless of the platform. It forms the foundation you need before specializing in a vendor solution and going into the cybersecurity career. CompTIA Network+ is the only industry certification that covers both wired and wireless networks.

Jobs That Require or Benefit from a CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT infrastructure covering troubleshooting, configuring and managing networks. Jobs like network field technician and junior network administrator use the skills validated by CompTIA Network+ certification.

And companies like Apple, Best Buy, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Canon, Cisco, Dell, HP, Intel, Konica Minolta, Motorola, Ricoh, Sharp, Time Warner, the United States Department of Defense, Verizon and Xerox all look for CompTIA Network+ certification in hiring.

Other CompTIA Network+ job titles include the following:

  • Network administrator
  • IT consultant
  • Network field engineer
  • Computer technician
  • Help desk technician
  • System engineer
  • Network support specialist
  • Network analyst

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 and 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.

Let’s look at the systems administrator position as an example. While the median salary gives you a sense of where the majority of salaries fall, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also gives percentiles that show the highest and lowest salaries for that job title:

  • Network administrator - $86,340
  • Network support specialist - $67,510
  • Network system analyst - $92,740

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 that can help increase your pay:

  1. 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.
  2. Additional Training and Certifications: If CompTIA Network+ 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 become a candidate for a higher-paying position. Review CompTIA’s stackable certifications to find out how you can build your IT career path with CompTIA certifications. CompTIA AITP also offers access to training for IT professionals.
  3. Commitment: Becoming certified is your first step to your 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.
  4. 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 City, on average, will make about 15 percent, or $14,650 more than the exact same position in Denver.
  5. Industry Variations: Keep in mind that some industries may have 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, such as:

  • Networking: Connecting with IT professionals 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.
  • Be 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.
  • Soft Skills: Your communication skills can greatly influence your ability to land a job. And 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 Networking?

We’ve made it easy to get started planning your path in networking.

  1. Begin by reading up on the four important steps toward your certification.
  2. Then, learn everything you need to know about CompTIA Network+ certification
  3. And finally, download the exam objectives and practice test questions to start learning right away.

CompTIA now offers a number of exam training options for CompTIA Network+ 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 Network+ is right for you, all the way to taking your exam. We’re with you every step of the way!