CompTIA A+ guideStart here
Is CompTIA A+ Worth It?
Decide whether A+ fits a specific IT support goal, using what the credential shows, current government job data, a posting check you can run, and the costs to count.
Short answer
A+ is worth it when the IT support jobs you are applying for ask for it, or when you have no IT work history and need structured proof of help desk fundamentals. It is weaker value if you already do the job and no employer is asking for it, or if your target role names a different credential. Earning it means passing two exams from the same version and renewing every three years. Federal data shows the occupation is projected to shrink slightly while still producing tens of thousands of openings a year, so check real postings before you pay.
What passing A+ shows, and what it doesn't
Passing both V15 exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), shows you met CompTIA's passing standard on a broad support blueprint: hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization and cloud, Windows, macOS, Linux, security, troubleshooting, and operational procedures. CompTIA says passing both prepares you "for roles like IT support specialist and help desk technician."
It does not show that you have done that work. CompTIA itself recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support role before the exams. An employer comparing two candidates will weigh the credential next to evidence of real support work, such as a previous job, a home lab, or volunteer tech support.
CompTIA also says A+ "appears in more tech support job listings than any other IT credential." That is CompTIA's claim about its own product. Passy has not verified it, and it says nothing about the listings where you live. The posting check below tests it for your situation.
What federal job data says about the occupation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics covers this work under computer support specialists, which combines user support and network support roles. Its Occupational Outlook Handbook page, last modified August 27, 2026, and checked on October 17, 2026, reports:
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay, 2025 | $62,890 per year |
| Number of jobs, 2025 | 903,100 |
| Projected employment change, 2025–35 | −3% (decline) |
| Projected openings | About 48,700 a year, on average, over the decade |
Read these carefully. The median is for the whole occupation, not for people who hold A+. BLS says the openings come from the need to replace workers who move to other occupations or leave the labor force, and that user support employment is projected to decline as organizations implement automated tools such as chatbots for troubleshooting.
On qualifications, BLS says entry requirements vary: network support specialists typically need an associate's degree, and user support specialists typically need some college courses, but "candidates may qualify with a high school diploma plus relevant information technology (IT) certifications." It also notes that companies may require certifications in the products they use. That is the honest frame for A+: one way to get past an entry requirement, not a guarantee of a job.
A ten-posting check you can run this week
- Search for the exact job title you want, such as "help desk technician" or "IT support specialist," in the area where you would work, or for remote roles if that is your plan.
- Open ten current postings. Skip duplicates from the same employer.
- For each one, record four things: whether A+ is required, preferred, or not mentioned; any other certification named; the experience asked for; and the education asked for.
- Count the results.
| What the ten postings show | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Several list A+ as required | A+ is likely worth it for you. Plan both exams |
| Most say "A+ or equivalent experience" | It helps most if you have little or no experience. With a year of support work, the experience may already count |
| Most name a different certification | Look at that certification first. A+ may still help as a foundation, but it is not what these employers screen for |
| Few mention any certification, but most want experience | Spend more of your effort on getting experience, and treat A+ as structure for learning |
Write the date on your tally. Postings change, and a result from a year ago does not describe today's market.
Federal and defense roles
CompTIA's Core 1 page lists DoD 8140 approved work roles for A+: technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist. If you are aiming at Department of Defense positions or contractors, that list is a reason to look closely at A+. Still read the qualification section of the specific posting, because the posting decides what that role requires.
When A+ is not worth the money
- You already work in IT support and neither your employer nor the jobs you want ask for it. Your experience is the stronger evidence.
- The roles you want name a different credential. If every posting you tallied asks for Security+, Network+, or a vendor certification, start there. The A+ vs Security+ guide helps if Security+ is the alternative.
- You cannot fit both exams into the version window. A+ needs Core 1 and Core 2 from the same version. V15 launched March 25, 2025, with retirement estimated for 2028. Passing one core and running out of time before the other wastes the first exam.
- You have not decided that IT support is the job you want. Try the free A+ practice questions and a week of the study guide before you buy anything.
Costs to count before you decide
Prices change by region and date, so check CompTIA's store on the day you buy. The A+ cost guide records the price CompTIA listed and the date it was checked. The items to count are:
- Two exam vouchers, one for each core.
- Possible retakes. CompTIA's retake policy has you pay the exam price for every attempt. The retake guide covers the waiting periods.
- Study materials and time. The study time guide shows how to estimate the hours.
- Renewal. CompTIA's renewal policy says A+ is valid for three years from the certification date and is renewed through its continuing education program, which carries its own requirements and fees. CompTIA's renewal options also say that earning a qualifying higher-level certification, such as Security+, fully renews A+ and aligns its expiration date with the newer certification.
If your posting check says yes, plan your A+ study weeks around both exam dates with Passy. The plan helps you prepare. It does not estimate a salary or a hiring outcome.
Trust the source
Official sources
Exam policies can change. Use these primary sources for the most current details.