Should I get CompTIA A+ before Network+?

It depends on your goal. If you want a help desk or desktop support job right now, get A+ first — it directly qualifies you for those roles. If you already have some IT experience or want to go straight into networking, Network+ is fine on its own. CompTIA recommends A+ as a prerequisite for Network+, but it is not a hard requirement. Many people pass Network+ without holding A+.

Which CompTIA cert pays more?

Network+ generally leads to higher-paying roles than A+. A+ qualifies you for help desk and desktop support positions that typically pay $40,000–$55,000 per year. Network+ qualifies you for network technician and junior network administrator roles that typically pay $55,000–$75,000 per year. That said, both certs are stepping stones — most IT professionals quickly layer on Security+, CCNA, or cloud certs to move into higher-paying roles.

How hard is CompTIA Network+ compared to A+?

Network+ is generally considered harder than A+. A+ covers broad, practical IT skills across hardware, software, and operating systems — it is wide but not deep. Network+ goes deeper into networking concepts: TCP/IP, routing protocols, network troubleshooting, and wireless. Most people report needing 3–4 months to prepare for A+ and 2–3 months for Network+ (assuming you already have some networking exposure or A+ under your belt).

Is CompTIA A+ worth it in 2026?

Yes, especially if you are making an entry-level career change into IT. A+ is still widely recognized as the baseline IT credential by employers, particularly for help desk, desktop support, and IT technician roles. The Department of Defense also requires A+ (among other certs) for certain baseline cybersecurity positions under DoD 8570. For experienced IT professionals already working in the field, A+ adds less value than certs like Security+, CCNA, or cloud certifications.

Can I skip A+ and go straight to Security+?

Technically yes — CompTIA recommends Network+ before Security+ but does not enforce it. However, jumping straight to Security+ without foundational knowledge often means you will spend significantly more time studying because Security+ assumes you understand networking, operating systems, and basic IT concepts. Most career-changers do best following the CompTIA path: A+ → Network+ → Security+, or at minimum Network+ → Security+.

CompTIA A+ vs Network+ [2026]: Which Cert Should You Get First?

Bottom Line

CompTIA A+ vs Network+ in 2026: what each cert covers, who each is for, salary expectations, and which one you should pursue first based on your career goal.

Written By

Bo Peng

Kaggle Top 200 · AI Engineer · Founder, Precision AI Academy

Bo builds production AI systems for U.S. federal agencies and teaches the Precision AI Academy bootcamp — a hands-on 2-day intensive in 5 U.S. cities. He writes weekly about what actually works in applied AI.

Kaggle Top 200 Federal AI Practitioner Former Adjunct Professor AI Builder

CompTIA A+ vs Network+ [2026]: Which Cert Should You Get First?

Written By

Bo Peng

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