CompTIA is a well-recognized vendor that provides candidates with multiple certifications to help them expand their technical expertise and enhance their knowledge in IT technologies. Moreover, it allows the candidates to take up-to-date training courses that will help them prepare for the related certification exams. Simply put, CompTIA is one of the popular vendors that can train you for a better future in the IT sector and make the candidates skilled enough to manage small to medium projects in large organizations.

CompTIA Learning Paths

The CompTIA organization introduces you to various certification paths that will aid you in climbing the ladder of success. In particular, their certification program includes the entry-level designations that are also known as Core certifications namely, the ITF+, A+, Network+, and Security+. And if you want to further expand your skills and upgrade your knowledge, you can apply for the Server+, Linux+, Cloud+ certifications that are part of the Infrastructure track. Furthermore, the candidates who want expertise in Cybersecurity can apply for the PenTest+, CASP+, and CySA+ validations. At last, the Additional Professional certifications that you can go for are the Project+, CTT+, and Cloud Essentials+. These certificates cover all the important IT aspects to help the candidates to become fully skilled in a specific field of the IT sector.

Top CompTIA Certifications

When it comes to renowned certifications by CompTIA, you will encounter these options that will prepare you for the essential roles in IT:

• IT Fundamentals

  The candidates who are interested in gaining fundamental knowledge of IT should go for this certification. To get the ITF+ certificate, you will need to pass the FC0-U61 exam. This test, in particular, includes the domains like database basics, software development, and IT infrastructure as well as security thus, anyone interested in entering the IT field can benefit from the affiliated designation. As for the exam structure, it includes 75 questions that are in the form of multiple-choice items that you have to attempt within 60 minutes. When it comes to the registration for the actual exam, you have to pay $126 via Pearson VUE, and to pass such a test, a passing score of 650 points is required.

• CompTIA A+

  It is the second core certification that can be achieved by clearing the 220-1001 and 220-1002 exams. These tests help you validate your knowledge of IT technologies from cloud to data management to security. Moreover, they give the candidates the opportunity to learn about the core technologies and work on the roles like a Help Desk Tech, Data Support Technician, Associate Network Engineer, System Support Specialist, and Field Service Technician. When it comes to the details of the official exams, there are 90 questions that you have to attempt in 90 minutes for each test. Also, it is recommended by experts to have 9-12 months of experience in IT technologies before starting out the certification journey. To add more, you have to get 675 grades on the scale of 100-900 in the 220-1001 exam and a 700-point score on the scale of 100-900 in the 220-1002 evaluation. Then, the format of the two exams is performance-based items, single and multiple responses, multiple-choice, and drag & drop questions. Moreover, you have to register with Pearson VUE and pay $232 for each exam. On the whole, the candidates have to show competence in hardware, mobile devices, cloud computing, virtualization, and network troubleshooting in the CompTIA A+ 220-1001 test while you should also have knowledge of configuring and installing OS, operational procedures, expanded security, and software troubleshooting for passing the 220-1002 exam. Once you get the A+ certification, you can apply for the Network+ designation and demonstrate your competence to enter the digital world of networking.

• CompTIA Linux+

  The Linux+ certification helps the candidate to demonstrate their competencies that are required for a career as a System Administrator supporting the Linux systems. This validation, in particular, is created for candidates who want to use Linux to manage smartphones, cars, supercomputers, and servers. Besides, many firms use Linux in cybersecurity, cloud, and web & mobile applications. To earn this certificate, the candidates are required to pass the XK0-004 exam. It validates the skills of the specialists in configuring, supporting, and monitoring servers running the Linux operating system. Overall, there are 90 questions in the main test and the candidates have to complete them in 90 minutes. To know more, the format of the final exam is multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, and performance-based questions. Then, the evaluation comes in Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and English, and to pass the test, the candidates have to get a 720-grade score on a scale of 100-900. In a nutshell, the focus of the actual exam is on the domains such as storage and virtualization, device management, kernel modules, networking & firewalls, server coverage, troubleshooting, and SELinux together with device management at an enterprise level. Note that it is recommended for the candidates to achieve the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications before applying for this one. Plus, the minimum Linux admin experience required is 9-12 months. Finally, the registration fee for the official evaluation is $338.

Salaries Offered to CompTIA Certified Individuals

The CompTIA designations can make your resume strong and give you the opportunity to attract potential employers. Thus, you will not only get good job roles but also a chance to expand your knowledge by working with IT experts. More so, the candidates who successfully achieve the CompTIA certifications get better opportunities than the candidates who are not certified by such a vendor. So, if we look at the annual income of the ITF+ certified specialists, that is around $17k per year according to ZipRecruiter and it can further increase up to $52k. Then, the salary of the CompTIA A+ certified specialists can be around $63k per year as revealed by PayScale while the same salary provider claims that the Linux+ certification can get its holders somewhere about $74k per annum. So, it is clear from the annual compensation that these designations are worth it and can take you to heights of success in the IT sector.

Certification Path

Regarding the appropriate certification track, it’s commendable to commence your CompTIA training with the Core ITF+ certificate, especially if you don’t have any prior experience in IT. After that, it’s sensible to achieve the A+ designation that can be followed by the Network+ and Security+ validations. Once the Core path is finished, you may further polish your skills in the Infrastructure track, and so on.