CompTIA A+ vs Network+: Which Certification First? (2026)

CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ are the two entry-level CompTIA certifications most people choose between. The CompTIA A+ vs Network+ question comes down to one thing: are you entering IT support, or are you already in it and moving toward networking? They test different skill sets, and picking the wrong one first means months of study aimed at jobs you are not applying for.

The short answer: take A+ first if you have no IT job yet; take Network+ first if you already have about a year of hands-on support work and want a networking role. This guide lays out what each exam covers in 2026, what the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the related jobs pay, and a decision rule you can apply in two minutes. Already studying? Upload your practice exam files to our free browser-based simulator and start testing today, no signup required.

CompTIA A+ vs Network+: Quick Comparison

Both exams are vendor-neutral and both sit at the start of CompTIA’s infrastructure pathway. The table pulls the current figures from CompTIA’s own exam pages for A+ Core 1, A+ Core 2 and Network+, plus the CEU renewal table.

Feature	CompTIA A+ (220-1201 / 220-1202)	CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)
Number of exams	Two (Core 1 + Core 2)	One
Questions	Up to 90 per exam	Up to 90
Duration	90 minutes per exam	90 minutes
Passing score	675 (Core 1), 700 (Core 2), on a scale of 900	720 on a scale of 100–900
Question types	Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, performance-based	Multiple-choice and performance-based
Current version launched	March 25, 2025	June 20, 2024
Expected retirement	Estimated 2028 (about three years after launch)	Estimated 2027 (about three years after launch)
Recommended experience	12 months in an IT support specialist role (no formal prerequisite)	A+ plus 9 to 12 months in a junior network admin or network support role (no formal prerequisite)
Renewal	Every 3 years, 20 CEUs	Every 3 years, 30 CEUs
Typical roles	Help desk, desktop support, IT support technician	Network technician, NOC technician, junior network administrator

On cost: A+ needs two exam vouchers and Network+ needs one, so A+ exam fees run well above Network+ even though each A+ voucher costs less than the single Network+ voucher. CompTIA listed $369 for the N10-009 exam in December 2024 (CompTIA, December 2024). Voucher prices have risen since, and CompTIA no longer prints them on the public exam pages, so check the CompTIA store for the current figure before you budget.

CompTIA A+ vs Network+: What the Jobs Pay

Certification holders are not tracked as an occupation, so the cleanest pay data is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the jobs each cert targets. For May 2025, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $61,860 for computer user support specialists and $76,220 for computer network support specialists (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Support Specialists). The role most Network+ holders grow into, network and computer systems administrator, had a median of $99,130 (BLS OOH, Network and Computer Systems Administrators).

The gap reflects scope. Network+ is a depth credential in one technical domain. A+ is broad by design: hardware, operating systems, networking basics, security and troubleshooting across many scenarios. That breadth opens more entry points, usually at lower starting pay.

Many professionals hold both. A help desk technician who earns A+, then adds Network+ within a year or two, is positioned for the network support and administrator roles where the medians sit $14,000 to $37,000 higher.

CompTIA A+ Exam: What It Actually Tests

The current A+ (version 15) launched on March 25, 2025 and requires two separate exams. CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist role before sitting it, though there is no formal prerequisite (CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam page).

A+ Core 1 (220-1201) domains and weights

• Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%): systematic troubleshooting methodology, device and connectivity faults
• Hardware (25%): cables, connectors, RAM, storage, power supplies, printers
• Networking (23%): TCP/IP, wireless, SOHO networking, internet connection types
• Mobile Devices (13%): laptops, mobile hardware, ports and connectors
• Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%): cloud models, hypervisors, virtual networking

A+ Core 2 (220-1202) domains and weights

• Operating Systems (28%): Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS installation and management
• Security (28%): malware removal, endpoint hardening, mobile device management
• Software Troubleshooting (23%): application errors, OS problems, scripting basics
• Operational Procedures (21%): documentation, change management, incident response, safety

Notice that Networking is already 23% of Core 1 and Security is 28% of Core 2. If you work a help desk where you replace RAM in the morning, remove malware after lunch and set up a printer before you leave, A+ maps directly to the job. Use our free Security+ practice exam to benchmark how much of the security material you already know before you commit to a study plan.

CompTIA Network+ Exam: What It Actually Tests

Network+ N10-009 launched on June 20, 2024. It is a single exam of up to 90 questions in 90 minutes with a passing score of 720 on a 100–900 scale. CompTIA’s recommended background is A+ plus 9 to 12 months in a junior network administrator or network support technician role (CompTIA Network+ exam page).

Network+ (N10-009) domains and weights

• Network Troubleshooting (24%): methodology, tools, wired and wireless faults
• Networking Concepts (23%): OSI model, protocols, ports, cloud networking, subnetting
• Network Implementation (20%): routing, switching, VLANs, wireless standards
• Network Operations (19%): monitoring, documentation, backup, disaster recovery
• Network Security (14%): threats, hardening, authentication, VPNs

Troubleshooting is the largest domain at 24%, and it is where preparation most often decides the result. Unlike hardware troubleshooting in A+, these scenarios involve diagnosing connectivity between subnets, reading routing tables and tracing wireless interference, which are hard to learn without lab time. Take our free Network+ practice test to see how much of this material you already know. If you have your own set of Network+ practice questions, our free file upload simulator runs them in your browser with nothing to install.

Which Exam Is Harder?

CompTIA does not publish pass rates for either exam, so treat any percentage you see online as a guess. What candidates consistently report is a difference in kind rather than degree:

• A+ is harder to study for because of breadth. Two exams, nine domains, and everything from printer maintenance to malware removal. Beginners report feeling overwhelmed by volume.
• Network+ is harder conceptually because subnetting, routing protocols and packet analysis require reasoning rather than recall. Candidates who rush the fundamentals struggle on the performance-based questions.

A+ is more forgiving if you already do IT support for a living. Network+ rewards candidates who have touched real or simulated network equipment, in Packet Tracer or GNS3, far more than those who studied from books alone. Our Network+ vs CCNA comparison covers how much further Cisco’s exam pushes that same material.

Job Market: What the Outlook Actually Looks Like

This is where the 2026 picture differs from older guides. The BLS projects employment of computer support specialists to decline 3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 903,100 jobs (BLS OOH, Computer Support Specialists). It projects employment of network and computer systems administrators to decline 4% over the same period, from about 323,600 jobs (BLS OOH, Network and Computer Systems Administrators). Hundreds of thousands of openings will still come from people leaving those roles, but the headcount is no longer growing.

Practically, that means a certification does more work for you than it did five years ago: it is one of the few signals that separates two entry-level applicants with no degree and no experience. It also argues for not stopping at one cert.

Jobs that typically ask for CompTIA A+

• Help desk technician / IT support specialist
• Desktop support technician
• Field service technician
• IT technician (hardware repair and deployment)
• End user computing technician

Jobs that typically ask for CompTIA Network+

• Network technician / network support technician
• Junior network administrator
• NOC (network operations center) technician
• Systems administrator (networking component)
• IT infrastructure technician

Government and defense IT is the one segment where holding both is close to mandatory. CompTIA’s published DoD 8140 framework alignment lists A+ as an approved certification for the Technical Support Specialist (411), System Administrator (451) and Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist (521) work roles. Network+ is approved for Technical Support Specialist (411), Network Operations Specialist (441) and System Administrator (451). Under DoD Manual 8140.03, that qualification is a demonstration of capability rather than a compliance checkbox, but hiring managers for contractor roles still filter on it.

What Pearson VUE’s Candidate Survey Says

Pearson VUE’s 2025 Value of IT Certification Candidate Report, based on nearly 24,000 IT professionals, found that 32% received a salary increase after certifying, and that 31% of those raises exceeded 20%. The same survey found 82% gained confidence to explore and pursue new job opportunities. Those figures cover all IT certifications, not A+ or Network+ specifically, so read them as the general case for certifying rather than a promise about either exam.

Which Should You Get First?

The right answer depends on three factors: your current experience, the roles you are targeting, and how much study time you can commit.

Get CompTIA A+ first if:

• You have little or no IT background. A+ builds the hardware, OS and networking foundation that makes Network+ easier to absorb later.
• You are targeting help desk, desktop support or IT support technician roles as your entry point.
• You want the credential that appears most often in entry-level support listings.
• You are heading for government or defense IT, where A+ is on the DoD 8140 approved list for support roles.
• You want to follow the sequence CompTIA itself recommends before Network+.

Get CompTIA Network+ first if:

• You already have 9 to 12 months of hands-on IT experience and can troubleshoot basic hardware and software issues.
• You are targeting networking roles rather than general support.
• You want one exam voucher instead of two, so you certify faster and at lower initial cost.
• You plan to pursue Cisco CCNA next; Network+ is strong conceptual grounding for it.
• You already have equivalent foundations from a bootcamp, a degree program or self-study.

The case for getting both

Many entry-level network administration listings name both A+ and Network+ as preferred. Holding both signals breadth (hardware, OS, support procedures) plus depth (networking), and the pair is the first two steps of CompTIA’s core infrastructure pathway. Our CompTIA certification path guide lays out the full A+ to Network+ to Security+ sequence and when to deviate from it. Our active recall and spaced repetition guide covers how to prepare for two exams back to back without burning out.

Free Study Resources for A+ and Network+

You do not need paid courses to pass either exam.

For CompTIA A+

• CompTIA’s exam objectives: download the official 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives from the exam pages linked above and tick off every bullet as you study.
• Professor Messer’s free A+ video course: comprehensive coverage mapped to the current objectives.
• CertQuiz file upload: if you have A+ practice questions in VCE, PDF or DOCX format, upload your A+ practice questions and run them as an interactive quiz in your browser.

For CompTIA Network+

• CompTIA’s N10-009 objectives: the troubleshooting domain in particular reads like a checklist of lab exercises.
• Professor Messer’s free Network+ course: video series covering the N10-009 objectives.
• Cisco Packet Tracer (free): network simulation software. Hands-on subnetting and routing practice is essential for the troubleshooting domain.
• CertQuiz file upload: upload your Network+ practice questions in any supported format and practice them as a timed quiz.

For both exams, the single most effective study activity is timed practice testing with review of every wrong answer. Our study methods guide explains the evidence behind that.

Career Path: Where Does Each Cert Lead?

Think of A+ and Network+ as the first two rungs on connected ladders. Security+ sits above both as the natural next step for security-focused careers.

Typical A+ career path

Help desk technician → desktop support → IT support specialist → systems administrator → (Security+) → security analyst

Typical Network+ career path

NOC technician / junior network admin → network administrator → (CCNA) → network engineer → senior network architect

Both paths converge at the systems and security levels. Network administrators add Security+ to move into security engineering, and security analysts add Network+ to shore up infrastructure fundamentals. If you are planning the security route, our Security+ vs CySA+ guide covers what comes after Security+.

FAQ

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

Yes. Network+ has no formal prerequisite. CompTIA recommends A+ plus 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience, but that is guidance, not a gate. If you already understand basic hardware and operating systems and can troubleshoot common user issues, skipping A+ is a reasonable time and cost decision. Be aware that networking is already 23% of A+ Core 1, so A+ holders arrive at Network+ with a head start on the fundamentals.

Which certification is more recognized by employers?

A+ has broader recognition at the entry level and appears in more help desk and support listings. Network+ carries more weight in networking-specific listings and in government and defense roles under DoD 8140. Neither is obscure, and technical hiring managers accept both.

How long does it take to prepare for each exam?

Plan for 8 to 12 weeks for A+ as a complete beginner, covering both exams, and 4 to 6 weeks if you already do IT support. Plan for 8 to 12 weeks for Network+ without networking experience, and 4 to 6 weeks with hands-on experience. These are planning ranges, not CompTIA figures; the official pages list recommended experience, not study hours. Daily timed practice plus spaced review of weak domains shortens both.

Is A+ still worth it in 2026?

Yes, especially for career changers entering IT for the first time, and for a reason that sounds backwards: the BLS now projects fewer computer support jobs in 2035 than in 2025. In a shrinking pool, employers screen harder, and A+ is the most common screen for support roles. It also sits on CompTIA’s DoD 8140 alignment for three work roles. Most A+ holders add Network+ or Security+ within a year or two to move into the higher-paying specializations.

Should I get A+ before Security+?

CompTIA’s recommended sequence is A+, then Network+, then Security+. Many candidates pass Security+ without A+, since Security+ has no prerequisites either. If your goal is a cybersecurity role and you have networking and OS background from other experience, go directly to Security+. Our Security+ study guide covers the prior knowledge you actually need.

Start Practicing Today, Free

The fastest way to settle the CompTIA A+ vs Network+ question for yourself is to take practice questions right now and see which material feels foreign. Our free Network+ practice test gives you a baseline on the networking material that is 23% of A+ Core 1 and all of Network+. Our free Security+ practice exam covers the security knowledge that overlaps A+ Core 2 and the Network+ security domain.

If you already have practice question files, upload them to our free simulator: VCE, PDF, DOCX and TXT all work, entirely in your browser, with no account or download. Browse the full certification guides library for prep resources across CompTIA, AWS, Azure and Cisco paths.

Already decided on Network+? Read our Network+ vs CCNA comparison to plan your next move after you pass.