WHAT IS CompTIA: What Is It, Certification & Salary

Obtaining the appropriate certifications is one of the most reliable strategies to advance swiftly in your job. There are several certifications, particularly CompTIA courses, available to help you better demonstrate your skills if you are currently employed in the IT business and concentrating on fields like computer security, systems administration, or the server environment. CompTIA is a nonprofit trade group with its headquarters not far from Chicago. It has more than 2,000 member organizations and 3,000 business partners. CompTIA is primarily focused on training and certifying IT professionals, but it also actively advocates for charitable causes and changes in public policy. We’ll discuss in full CompTIA certification courses including CompTIA A+ and Security+

What Is CompTIA?

Candidates with CompTIA certifications Computing Technology Industry Association, also known as CompTIA, is an American non-profit trade association that issues professional certifications for the information technology (IT) industry.

CompTIA is an independent organization with the goal of advancing the worldwide IT business by connecting its members and encouraging the highest standards of professional practice. CompTIA is a membership organization for businesses in the information technology sector that provides certification testing, hosts international conferences and summits, and leads international policy initiatives.

It has 3000 business partners in addition to its 2000 members. It not only certifies IT specialists but also engages in extensive charitable work and public policy lobbying.

CompTIA, headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, issues vendor-neutral professional certifications in more than 120 countries. The group issues analyses of the market so that interested parties can keep tabs on developments and trends in the sector. Since CompTIA was founded, over 2.2 million individuals have become certified through the organization.

CompTIA Courses

Becoming certified in relevant areas is a surefire strategy to fast advance in one’s career. There are several certifications, especially CompTIA courses, available to bolster your resume if you’re already working in the IT industry and specialize in fields like computer security, systems administration, or the server environment.

If you want to advance your career in IT, you should consider earning one of the five most popular CompTIA certification courses.

#1. CompTIA Security+ Certification

So, you’re looking to make a name for yourself in the network security industry, right? Therefore getting your CompTIA Security+ certification is the first step you should take. Of the many expanding fields in IT, network security is one of the most dynamic. If you want to prove your mastery of network security, access control, and other related topics, earning this prestigious CompTIA certification is a must.

Earning your Security+ certification is a significant advancement from your Network+ credential because it expands on networking while honing in on the fundamentals of security. There is a great need for IT security professionals as the number and sophistication of attacks on computers grow. Hence, you will become a very valuable addition to any organization that hires you if you develop experience in both networking and networking security.

#2. CompTIA A+

When it comes to starting out in the IT field, many people look to the CompTIA A+ certification, which was introduced in 1993, as the gold standard. The completion of this program certifies the student as an expert in the field of computer technology. This premier CompTIA certification covers a wide range of technologies and operating systems, including those from Microsoft, Apple, Novell, as well as IBM.

Moreover, because it demonstrates a minimum level of skill as a computer specialist, many businesses view this certification as mandatory for computer support technicians. Its bearer has demonstrated proficiency in areas such as preventative maintenance, installation, security, troubleshooting, and networking across a variety of operating systems and technologies. In addition, it is recognized around the world and is vendor-agnostic.

#3. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)

Many people working in IT hope to eventually earn their CASP, or CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner, certification. Basically, it covers the below security certification areas:

Managing risk and forecasting
Enterprise security
Risk analysis

This leading CompTIA certification emphasizes “enterprise security” since it equips the bearer with the know-how necessary to manage medium-to-large enterprises (MLEs) and up. The CASP certification is a mark of excellence in the IT field, signifying that the holder has achieved a high degree of expertise in the field of computer security. It is recognized all across the globe and is independent of any particular technology provider. As such, it demonstrates the holder’s mastery of enterprise-level computing, communication, as well as business security.

#4. CompTIA Network+ Certification

Especially for newcomers to the field of information technology, this is one of the most desirable CompTIA certifications. Generally, if your career goals include working in IT support, then this certification is crucial. As the CompTIA A+ certification barely scratches the surface of networking fundamentals, this is a great supplement. Earning this certification demonstrates your mastery of fundamental network administration tasks like setting up and maintaining a network, as well as identifying and fixing common connectivity issues.

However, the Network+ certification, like the A+ certification, is an entry-level certification, meaning that you need not have a degree in computer science to take and pass the exam.

CompTIA recommends that anybody interested in this certification first get an A+. In addition, CompTIA suggests you have at least nine months of experience in network assistance, academic instruction, or network management.

We also advise beginning with the A+ certification because it lays a strong groundwork for moving on to the more advanced Network+ certification. The A+ certification will increase your self-esteem and is generally easier to obtain than the Network+ certification. You can regardless succeed in this course with hard work, quality study materials, and enough practice examinations.

In conclusion, the CompTIA Network+ certification is highly recommended for every aspiring IT worker. This certification expands on the CompTIA A+ by focusing specifically on computer networking. Such expertise is essential to landing a good job in the field of information technology due to the A+’s widespread use.

#5. CompTIA Server+ Certification

This is an excellent organization from which to launch a career in server support. System administrators would benefit greatly from obtaining CompTIA Server+ Certification. This is basically because it demonstrates an individual’s mastery of the technical abilities required to install, configure, and manage server software and hardware.

Whilst it may seem like an entry-level certification, CompTIA Server+ really covers more sophisticated computer topics and is aimed at a more intermediate audience. As a result, it is written for industry experts who have worked in a server-related field for about 18 to 24 months. It is recommended by CompTIA that you earn your A+ certification before beginning this training. You can skip the A+ if you already have sufficient computer knowledge though. However, it serves as a solid foundation for further CompTIA certifications like Server+.

The combination of A+, Network+, and Server+ is a powerful demonstration of your extensive knowledge of computer systems to prospective employers. These elite CompTIA credentials will provide you with a strong IT foundation and boost your employability. In the end, you may decide to pursue Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) status.

The first step toward earning your CompTIA Server+ certification is passing a traditional-style test that covers topics like server installation, upgrade, maintenance, configuration, and disaster recovery, among others. You should have substantial experience in the aforementioned areas before attempting the Server+ test.

To pass the exam, you’ll need to study, so pick up some helpful books and take some practice exams, just as you would for any other CompTIA certification. Exam samples are included at no cost with most Server+ publications. There are also many relevant example exams available online.

CompTIA Certification

The CompTIA Certified Technology Associate program is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious IT industry certifications since it is vendor-neutral. Since CompTIA created the A+ certification in 1993, more than two million certificates have been distributed.

Early in 2018, CompTIA unveiled its career pathway for infrastructure professionals. Although the core qualifications of the CompTIA certification portfolio will remain the same, this fresh career pathway program more directly links CompTIA certifications to the practical skills that IT professionals need to succeed when managing and maintaining IT infrastructures.

Per level of expertise, CompTIA certifications are generally organized. The four categories that make up the current CompTIA certifications are Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Additional Professional.

#1. Core Certifications

CompTIA offers four Core certifications that are intended to help candidates develop their core foundational skills: IT Fundamentals, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+. These are pre-career certifications that concentrate on the IT foundation framework, user support, and device connectivity, respectively (focused on entry-level cybersecurity skills).

#2. Infrastructure Certifications

In addition to the Network+ certification, CompTIA offers three additional certifications in the Infrastructure category. They are;

The CompTIA Server+ (which focuses on server support and administration)
CompTIA Cloud+ (which covers hybrid cloud, virtual system administration, and deploying network storage resources), and
CompTIA Linux+ (which focuses on server support and administration) (focused on Linux operating system administration and management).

#3. Cybersecurity Certifications

CompTIA’s Cybersecurity certifications consist of;

The CompTIA CySA+ (CySA stands for Cyber Security Analyst and is aimed towards IT security behavioral analysts)
The CompTIA CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner), and
CompTIA PenTest+ (Penetration testing, targets professionals who conduct penetration and vulnerability testing).

#4. Additional Professional Certifications

A number of CompTIA certifications, such as CompTIA Project+, CompTIA CTT+, and CompTIA Cloud Essentials, fall into this category because they don’t seem to fit well into any of the aforementioned CompTIA career tracks.

What Does It Mean to Be CompTIA Certified?

If you have earned the CompTIA A+ certification, you have demonstrated an advanced level of knowledge in core computing technologies. You’ll discover how to troubleshoot a variety of gadgets, including laptops and cell phones.

What Is CompTIA Certification Good For?

It is generally the required qualification for technical support and operational IT roles, and it is the industry standard for starting a career in IT. IT professionals with the CompTIA A+ certification can work as help desk tier 2 support agents, desktop support analysts, IT support specialists, and IT field service technicians.

Does CompTIA Get You a Job?

Having a CompTIA A+ certification to your name has many benefits, and getting the certification is generally enough to get you hired for entry-level IT work. Those who are already established in the IT industry may use the certification to develop their abilities.

Is CompTIA Good for Beginners?

The CompTIA A+ course is intended for people who have never worked in the field before and are total newbies. This comprehensive guide to CompTIA A+ in 2021 will be helpful if you want to build a strong foundation in everything computer-related.

Is CompTIA Hard to Pass?

Basically, this seems like a subjective inquiry. Yes, you can find studying for the CompTIA A+ exam more difficult than others if you have little to no IT expertise. Yet the best part of preparing for the CompTIA exam is that you may choose your beginning point and study method.

How Long Does It Take to Study for CompTIA A+?

Some classroom instruction covers the entire CompTIA A+ syllabus in a single week, while others spread it over a number of months. Guess it depends on your prior knowledge and IT experience Hence you might well be able to pick up the requisite qualifications if you decide to learn by yourself within a few days, weeks, or perhaps months.

How Much Do You Earn With a CompTIA?

Below are some of the top CompTIA A+ Certification jobs and salaries;

Position	Salary Range	Average
Information Technology (IT) Manager	$54k – $116k	$80,301
Systems Administrator	$47k – $89k	$64,709
Information Technology (IT) Director	$65k – $149k	$97,881
Information Technology (IT) Support Specialist	$37k – $71k	$51,880
Network Engineer	$51k – $104k	$75,884
Information Technology Specialist	$39k – $86k	$57,754
Network Administrator	$43k – $85k	$61,750

Is CompTIA a Qualification?

If your mind is set right for a Job in Information Technology, Yes. CompTIA A+ is widely recognized as the benchmark qualification for entry-level positions in technical assistance and IT operations, and can also serve as a springboard to a successful IT career.

Can I Get a Job With CompTIA A+ Without a Degree?

Are employers interested in having only the A+ certification on your resume? Absolutely. Earning the CompTIA A+ certification alone can get you an entry-level IT job if you also have excellent soft skills like communication, professionalism, and a willingness to learn.

What Is CompTIA Security+

The CompTIA Security+ certification is recognized around the world as proof that you have the fundamental knowledge and abilities necessary to carry out fundamental security tasks and further your career in the IT security industry. For IT workers, CompTIA Security+ is basically the first security certification they should strive to obtain.

Conclusion

An IT professional’s competence in the field can be validated by earning a certification from CompTIA. It’s a great way to make contacts in the lucrative IT industry. Nowadays, practically every industry and job requires some level of computer literacy from their workers, therefore it’s in everyone’s best interest for workers to demonstrate their proficiency with computers as far as it goes.

Candidates with CompTIA certifications on their resumes generally have a leg up when applying for specific IT jobs. In the realm of computers and IT, CompTIA is basically the front-runner standing head and shoulders above the competition.

The reality, however, is that a successful IT job requires more than just a credential. But, the CompTIA A+ certification is an excellent place to begin if you’re just getting started in the IT field.