When seeking work, having IT certifications offers an excellent first impression. According to IDC, 96 percent of human resource managers utilize IT certifications as screening or hiring criteria during recruiting. If you want to work in IT, keep reading to discover more about the sorts of entry-level positions that CompTIA A+ recognizes. In this article, IT Exams will help you explore some of the best CompTIA A+ jobs out there and how to land them.
What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?
CompTIA A+ certification is obtained by completing a series of two examinations designed by IT industry professionals to certify abilities required for entry-level IT positions. However, CompTIA A+ is more than simply computer repair. CompTIA A+ candidates are better equipped to troubleshoot and fix a broader range of issues, including networking and operating systems, as well as mobile devices and security.
Unlike other certifications, which often only demand coverage of one area, CompTIA A+ covers a greater range of knowledge required of technicians today, making A+ applicable to a wider range of work vocations.
The certification covers a broad range of topics related to the following areas:
- Computer hardware
- Software
- Operating systems
- Networking, security
- Troubleshooting.
To obtain this certification, you need to pass two exams: CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1001) and CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002). Access the article on CompTIA A+ Passing Score for more information about these two CompTIA exams as well as their passing requirements.
On this website, we offer thousands of free CompTIA A+ practice test questions to help you easily pass your coming exam on the very first attempt. Check it out!
Why is CompTIA A+ Certification Important?
CompTIA A+ is the Key to Your IT Career
Getting CompTIA A+ certified indicates you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of computer hardware and software. You’ll learn how to troubleshoot everything from PCs to cell phones. CompTIA A+ is the finest beginning point for any IT profession; it can help you acquire your first IT job and set you on the path to IT success.
CompTIA A+ Allows You to Go Anywhere
There are no restrictions on what you may accomplish with CompTIA A+. Because the certification does not focus on vendor-specific hardware and software, it allows you to focus on developing your technical foundation and being comfortable with the technological language you will need on your professional path, regardless of which route you choose. CompTIA A+ opens the door to in-demand areas such as computer networking and cybersecurity in any vendor environment. Moreover, A+ is ISO/ANSI accredited, which implies that your qualification is accepted by companies worldwide.
CompTIA A+ Allows You to Work From Anywhere
Several IT occupations no longer need individuals to work in an office or another specified place. With CompTIA A+, you may get access to occupations that allow you to work from anywhere, whether it is an employer’s office or your own home.
CompTIA A+ Can Open the Door to Higher Earnings
Getting CompTIA A+ certified indicates you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of computer hardware and software. You’ll learn how to troubleshoot everything from PCs to cell phones. CompTIA A+ is the finest beginning point for any IT profession; it can help you acquire your first IT job and set you on the path to IT success.
CompTIA A+ Paves the Way to a Better Work-Life Balance
With CompTIA A+, you can take control of your work-life balance. Changing careers from a stressful, physically demanding, or unpleasant job to one in IT might offer your life a new purpose. Many IT occupations offer acceptable stress levels, a sense of achievement, possibilities to enhance your mental and physical health, and prospects for advancement. Not to mention that you will still have time for meaningful interactions with friends and family.
CompTIA A+ Is Built by IT Industry Professionals
A committee of IT industry specialists from diverse businesses and professions creates and maintains the CompTIA A+ certification. When you obtain CompTIA A+ certification, you may be confident that your knowledge meets the standards that actual organizations place on their IT professionals today. That signifies that individuals who live and breathe IT on the cutting edge of change every day are confident in their ability to complete the task.
CompTIA A+ Is Held By More Than 1 Million People
When you obtain your CompTIA A+ certification, you will be joining the ranks of over 1 million other IT professionals who have based their careers on this credential.
CompTIA A+ Is an Achievement
Passing your CompTIA A+ tests usually necessitates a study and training commitment. It may take days or weeks to prepare for the two examinations that lead to a CompTIA A+ certification, depending on what you already know, how comfortable you are with computer hardware and software, and how readily you can acquire new information. Yet, when you obtain your certification, you will not only have a valuable professional credential but also a certificate of success and completion that you can proudly display.
CompTIA A+ Demonstrates Your Dedication to Your Work
With recertification and training options, CompTIA makes it simple to renew your certification and upgrade your expertise after you are A+ certified. Remaining on this road demonstrates your dedication to your profession and perseverance in keeping up with the latest advances in the IT business.
CompTIA A+ Enables You to Join a Community
CompTIA A+ certification holders have developed a robust community from which you may learn, communicate, seek help, and give back. Locate your peers on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit, or in person through CompTIA’s IT professional association, AITP, which you may join on a national and local level to further your career.
Read more >> Is CompTIA A+ Certification Worth It In 2023?
9 Best CompTIA A+ Jobs for IT Entry Level
There are several CompTIA A+ jobs available, ranging from entry-level to mid-career employment. The greatest jobs for CompTIA A+ certified professionals are those that provide competitive pay, possibilities for advancement, and in-demand job roles.
The 9 most in-demand job roles for CompTIA A+ certified professionals include:
- Service Desk Analyst
-
Technical Support Specialist
-
Field Service Technician
-
Associate Network Engineer
- Data Support Technician
-
Cybersecurity Manager
-
Desktop Support Administrator
- Help Desk Technician
-
System Support Specialist
1. Service Desk Analyst
Service desk analysts are highly experienced IT experts that provide technical support to an organization’s users. Their key tasks include responding to queries as well as assessing and resolving problems. They look after all of the technical requirements of information system units. In the United States, service desk analysts may make up to $45,470 per year.
A service desk analyst’s primary tasks are as follows:
- Handle Problems: Help requests can come through a variety of networks, including phone calls, chats, and emails. Service desk analysts are responsible for recording the severity of such issues and resolving them using prescribed processes.
- Escalate Issues: If service desk analysts are unable to fix difficulties, they must quickly escalate them to the relevant support specialists.
- Maintain Documentation: Service desk analysts maintain track of any software and hardware issues affecting the enterprise. They also keep detailed records of these difficulties.
- Remote Problem Resolution: They handle all types of technical issues and are even permitted to fix issues remotely.
2. Technical Support Specialist
One of the most sought-after jobs with A+ certification in the world is technical support expert. A technical support professional provides hardware and computer system assistance and maintenance. Their duties include installing, configuring, and upgrading software and hardware. They might help the company as well as provide maintenance in-house or for consumers. They are in high demand across all sectors; depending on the size of the firm, their job may be divided over numerous domains. Their current yearly pay in the United States is $57,200.
What are their major obligations?
- Upkeep of Software and Hardware: Constant upkeep of internal software and hardware.
- System configuration: Entail installing and configuring technologies.
- Address Technical Problems: Assist with technical difficulties in the company.
- Troubleshooting: That is the process of troubleshooting programs and systems.
- Healthcheck: Entail thoroughly inspecting the whole system and replacing any broken components.
- Security Audits: Conduct security audits on all systems in the organization.
- Reports: Produce status reports on hardware and software.
- Updates: Discover new updates
3. Field Service Technician
This occupation, also known as a network technician, is one of the top jobs you can acquire with CompTIA A+ certification. A field service technician is in charge of delivering on-site end-user help, maintenance, programming, and installation, among other things. These technicians troubleshoot telecommunications systems and cabling. Repairs and customer demos are among their tasks. Field technicians must be okay with not having a sedentary work life because their line of work needs them to be always on the go. Field service technicians with outstanding communication skills and an associate’s degree will continue to be in great demand, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. They currently make $60,000 per year in the United States.
Their primary tasks include the following:
- Services and Examinations: Offering network services and testing equipment.
- Resolve Problems: Identifying and resolving issues along with managing on-site activities.
- Support Clients: Providing assistance to clients during field trips.
- Testing: Testing the integrity of network infrastructure.
- Troubleshoot: Monitoring and troubleshooting of computer networks.
- Repair and Support: Provide support for all customer programs, as well as repair connections and data cables.
4. Associate Network Engineer
Associate network engineers, often known as network architects, manage the network infrastructure. They guarantee network design uniformity and uphold high-security standards and rules. As long as organizations want associate network engineers, this CompTIA A+ job will be in high demand. The current yearly average compensation for associate network engineers in the United States is $44,282.
Their primary duties include the following:
- Identify Problem Areas: They are supposed to provide value to the organization by identifying problem areas.
- Implement Network Tools: After carefully examining network capacity, they implement network tools.
- Collaborate and Resolve: They work with the systems administration team to resolve storage, backup, and interconnection concerns.
- Handle Documents: They must handle documentation and systems used in audits.
- Network Performance: They assess the network’s performance.
- Monitor Networks: They provide network monitoring tools.
5. Data Support Technician
A data support technician gathers and records all organizational information. They also help with the recovery of organizational data. In a data-driven firm, this job role is critical. To be successful in this industry, you must have a degree in computer science. Moreover, qualifications such as CompTIA A+ might assist you in easily acquiring this position. A data support technician currently earns $54,076 per year in the United States.
Their primary roles are as follows:
- Maintenance and assistance: Manage data analysis databases and assist data analysis teams in projects.
- Data Delivery: Work with several teams to supply data.
- Data Visualization: Utilize data visualization tools to improve your strategy.
- Troubleshoot: Prepare systems for employees and troubleshoot remotely using analytical techniques.
- Identify Problems: Identify issues in accordance with company needs.
- Diagnostics: Identify hardware and software problems.
6. Cybersecurity Manager
This is one of the most sought-after jobs with CompTIA A+. A cybersecurity manager monitors the channels via which information enters and exits the company. They are in charge of monitoring and observing all network activity. They ensure that they have an adequate quantity of resources to enable these activities.
Application security, cloud security, and infrastructure security are all areas in which cybersecurity managers might specialize. Cybersecurity managers are in high demand across businesses, from government to healthcare. The average yearly compensation for cybersecurity managers is $134,010.
According to certain cybersecurity data, the pandemic has drastically altered the cybersecurity environment. As a result of cybernetics, the need for cybersecurity managers has soared, which is a positive effect on prospective cybersecurity managers.
A cybersecurity manager’s major tasks include:
- Handling Threats and Tools: Obtain cybersecurity tools and combat cybersecurity risks through risk management.
- Maintenance and Upgrade: Update software and service hardware systems.
7. Desktop Support Administrator
Desktop support administrators work hard to improve the end-user experience for both remote and in-house personnel. They handle service desk tasks and reply to emails and phone calls. They also handle day-to-day operational activities including settings, upgrades, and licensing tracking.
Demand for desktop support administrators is high and is anticipated to rise more in the coming years. In the United States, they presently make $46,532 per year.
A desktop support administrator’s primary tasks are as follows:
- Configuration: Set up systems for new personnel as well as configure equipment for internal usage.
- Hardware Evaluation: Evaluate and replace hardware components
- Network Evaluation: Examine network and connectivity concerns
8. Help Desk Technician
One of the most significant CompTIA A+ jobs is that of a help desk technician. This position is critical to the successful operation of IT departments since it offers technical support for hardware, software, and computer systems. A help desk technician’s core responsibilities include providing IT assistance, maintaining technology, and developing solutions. He or she is also in charge of responding to consumer emails, chats, and phone calls.
A help desk technician is an excellent CompTIA A+ entry-level employment for honing your technical abilities. The current wage range for this position is $35,000 to $70,000 from entry-level to lead-level.
Their primary tasks include the following:
- Troubleshooting and Technical Assistance: Troubleshoot client issues and provide technical advice and support to customers.
- Feedback and Improvement: Collect client input and find areas for development.
- Maintenance and Training: End-user training sessions, as well as PC maintenance, cleaning, and repair.
9. System Support Specialist
A system support expert is in charge of all types of help desk services. He or she deals with issues that impact end users, such as network outages, software problems, hardware problems, and so on. If an issue is beyond their knowledge and competence, they escalate it to the proper departments.
Because businesses change their software and hardware on a regular basis, a system support expert is a CompTIA A+ Certification career that will always be in demand. Their annual pay is $57,500 on average.
A system support specialist’s primary tasks are as follows:
- Monitoring and Support Activities: Develop and implement support activities as well as monitor all systems.
- End-user Guidance: Provide end-users with information on software and application access and usage.
- System Application Upgrade: Monitor, evaluate, and update system applications.
- Supporting: Provide assistance with operating systems, SaaS, and other important organizational applications.
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Skills Required For Comptia A+ Jobs
To succeed in CompTIA A+ certification jobs, professionals must possess both technical and soft skills.
Technical skills include:
- Knowledge of computer hardware and software systems
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Understanding of network and security systems
- Familiarity with virtualization and cloud technologies
- Knowledge of mobile devices and operating systems
Soft skills required for A+ certification jobs include:
- Communication skills
- Time management skills
- Customer service skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work in a team
Certifications and qualifications such as CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, and ITIL Foundation Certification can also be beneficial in securing jobs for CompTIA A+.
FAQs
Is CompTIA A+ Enough To Get a Job?
Even though the value is there, individuals wonder if CompTIA A+ is sufficient to secure a job. That can be, but it also depends on your level of experience. Did you know that the CompTIA A+ certification is included in more tech support job advertisements than any other IT certification? Just having CompTIA A+ on your CV might put you ahead of non-certification holders in the interview queue. That’s important when you’re looking for your first IT career.
Yet, there are additional factors to consider. Employers, for example, will want to know how many years of experience you have. Possessing the information is one element of the jigsaw; demonstrating your ability to act on that information is another.
What Experience Is Required To Sit for the CompTIA A+ Exams?
While there are no official prerequisites for taking the CompTIA A+ tests, we recommend that applicants have 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience as a help desk support technician, desktop support technician, field service technician, or similar expertise. Having this sort of expertise can help you succeed on the exam.
Is the CompTIA A+ Exam Hard?
This is a personal choice. If you have little to no IT expertise, you may find studying for the CompTIA A+ test more difficult than others. But that’s the beauty of CompTIA test preparation: you choose your beginning point and your study method.
The CompTIA A+ core series certifies that certification holders can troubleshoot on all operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, Chrome OS, Android, and Linux OS. Because CompTIA A+-certified technicians frequently have to design sophisticated consumer networks and set up small office environments, IT infrastructure fundamentals such as IP addresses, network configurations, and networking tools are taught.
These topics (and others) will be examined using a combination of multiple-choice questions (single and multiple replies), drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions.
When it comes to what you put in against what you get out, the CompTIA A+ certification is unquestionably worthwhile – just ask the almost 1.2 million CompTIA A+ certification holders.
Is CompTIA A+ Right for Me?
If you want to start a new profession in the IT field, CompTIA A+ may be the course for you. There are several more popular certificates to choose from, and the ideal one for you is the one that will bring you where you want to go.
How Long Is CompTIA A+ Good for?
CompTIA-certified workers realize that the world of technology moves at a fast rate, and CompTIA certifications adapt to it. Your CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the day you passed the exam. The Continued Education (CE) program allows you to extend your certification in three-year increments by participating in activities and training related to your certification’s subject. CompTIA A+ CE, like A+, carries globally recognized ISO/ANSI accreditation.
Final Words
In conclusion, the organizational need for qualified technical professionals is steadily expanding. Getting a CompTIA A+ Certification may lead to a plethora of work prospects in the IT business. As a result, CompTIA A+ jobs like Desktop Support Administrator and End-User Computing Technician are predicted to rise significantly in the next years.
