CompTIA Network+ Salary: How Much Can You Make In 2024?

CompTIA Network+ is a widely recognized certification for IT professionals that provides a strong foundation in networking and validates an individual’s ability to manage, maintain, and troubleshoot network infrastructure. Obtaining the CompTIA Network+ certification can open up a world of career opportunities and increase earning potential for IT professionals. In this blog post, we will explore the average salary for CompTIA Network+ certified professionals, the impact of the certification on salary levels, and the various career paths available to those who hold the certification.

Let’s get started with our free Network+ practice test to pass the actual exam with a high score on your first attempt.

Benefits of Obtaining the CompTIA Network+ Certification

Before going through the benefits of the CompTIA Network+ certification, let’s have an overview of the CompTIA Network+ exam. The CompTIA Network+ exam consists of 90 questions, comprising a mixture of multiple-choice and performance-based items, administered in a monitored testing environment. The examination is a true testament to the individual’s practical understanding of networking and requires a minimum passing score of 720 out of a 900-point scale. To maintain the validity of the certification, recertification is mandatory every three years through either retaking the updated version of the exam or earning Continuing Education credits.

This certification is the cornerstone for demonstrating one’s capability in overseeing, preserving, and resolving network infrastructure challenges. This vendor-neutral recognition encompasses crucial aspects such as network security, architecture, operations, and troubleshooting, all of which are vital to effective network administration.

The advantages of obtaining this certification are plentiful. For IT specialists, the CompTIA Network+ provides a robust understanding of networking concepts and technologies, serving as validation of their skills and knowledge. This not only expands their career prospects but also elevates their earning potential. 

The Current Job Market for CompTIA Network+ Certified Professionals

The job market for those boasting the CompTIA Network+ certification is thriving and exhibiting no signs of weakening. The scarcity of IT professionals proficient in network infrastructure has resulted in high demand for individuals with this prized accreditation, which is greatly valued across numerous industries.

In the technology sector, companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are eager to hire professionals who have earned the CompTIA Network+ certification to manage and maintain their intricate networking systems. The telecommunications industry is also in need of such experts as they continue to expand their networks and meet the demands of their customers.

Financial services, healthcare, and government sectors are also seeking the expertise of CompTIA Network+ certified professionals to ensure the stability and security of their vital networking systems.

Some of the typical CompTIA Network+ job titles include:

• Network analyst
• Network engineer
• Network support specialist
• IT consultant
• Systems administrator
• Cyber security analyst
• Information technology specialist
• Information security analyst
•  IT director
• Information technology manager
• Help desk technician
• Cyber security engineer

The CompTIA Network+ salary can vary greatly based on various factors such as location, experience, and type of employer. In the United States, the average salary is around $74,000, with seasoned professionals earning over $100,000. Meanwhile, in the UK, the average salary is approximately £30,000, with the potential to earn more in the higher-cost-of-living city of London. In Canada, the average salary is around C$62,000, and in Australia, it’s around AUD 96,000.

It’s worth mentioning that these salary figures are merely rough estimates, and the actual CompTIA Network+ certification salary will be influenced by several factors, such as the individual’s experience, the company they work for, and their geographic location. For instance, a CompTIA Network+ certified professional with a decade of experience working for a tech giant in Silicon Valley is likely to earn a significantly higher salary than a novice in this field working for a small business in a rural area.

Read more >> Things You Should Know About CompTIA Network+ Badge

The Impact of This Cert on CompTIA Network+ Salary

The CompTIA Network+ certification offers numerous advantages, one of which is its effect on the salaries of IT professionals. A recent study by CompTIA revealed that Network+ certified individuals earn an average salary of $78,000, a significant increase compared to the $72,000 earned by non-certified professionals. The reason for this disparity is that the certification showcases a comprehensive understanding of networking technologies, a valuable asset in today’s technology-dependent world.

However, the impact of the certification on salary can be influenced by several factors, including an individual’s experience, location, and the type of employer. For instance, seasoned IT professionals tend to command higher salaries compared to those just starting out in their careers. The CompTIA Network+ certification salary also varies based on location, with urban areas typically offering higher salaries than smaller cities. Moreover, larger companies generally tend to offer higher salaries than smaller organizations.

Despite these variations, obtaining the CompTIA Network+ certification can still result in a substantial impact on salary. The certification testifies to an individual’s commitment to the field and their solid foundation in networking concepts, making them more attractive to potential employers, even in entry-level positions. As a result, certified professionals often have greater bargaining power when negotiating their CompTIA Network+ certification salary.

Career Paths for CompTIA Network+ Certified Professionals

The CompTIA Network+ certification is a gateway to a plethora of opportunities for IT professionals. This accreditation expands the horizons of IT professionals, presenting a variety of career choices, from the entry-level network administrator role to more advanced designations such as network engineer or network architect. In the following paragraphs, we will explore the typical career paths for CompTIA Network+ certified IT specialists and the potential for professional growth and development.

Common Career Paths for Network+ Professionals

One of the most sought-after career paths for CompTIA Network+ certified professionals is that of a network administrator. These tech wizards are accountable for ensuring the seamless operation and maintenance of an organization’s network infrastructure. Network administrators keep a watchful eye over the network, swiftly resolve issues, and guarantee that the network operates at peak performance. With the CompTIA Network+ certification in hand, IT professionals can embark on their journey as junior network administrators and progress to become senior network administrators or network managers.

Another popular career path for CompTIA Network+ certified professionals is that of a network engineer. Network engineers are the masterminds behind the design, implementation, and maintenance of an organization’s network infrastructure. They are tasked with ensuring that the network is both efficient and secure, meeting the performance and security demands of the organization. IT professionals with the CompTIA Network+ certification can start as junior network engineers and advance to roles such as senior network engineers or network architects.

Potential for Career Growth and Advancement with Network+ 

In addition to the network administrator and network engineer positions, there are several other lucrative IT careers that may require or benefit from the CompTIA Network+ certification. For instance, security engineers are the guardians of an organization’s network security. They design and execute security measures to protect the network from cyberattacks and data breaches. CompTIA Network+ certified professionals bring a wealth of network security knowledge to the table, making them highly competitive candidates in the security engineering job market.

Another lucrative IT career that can benefit from the CompTIA Network+ certification is that of a systems administrator. Systems administrators are responsible for the smooth installation, configuration, and maintenance of an organization’s computer systems. They ensure that the systems are performing optimally and meeting the performance and security standards of the organization. CompTIA Network+ certified professionals have a deep understanding of network infrastructure, which they can apply to the administration of computer systems, enhancing their competitiveness in the systems administrator job market.

How to Boost Your CompTIA Network Salary

The CompTIA Network+ salary you can expect from a particular IT job can vary widely from the median pay due to a variety of factors that may benefit your role in a certain position. Here are some tips for potentially increasing your pay:

Prior Experience

Employers may appreciate you more if you can reduce your training time and have expertise that goes beyond your job description. Similarly, prior related job experience establishes trust and builds expectations on the side of an employer, which can help you earn a higher salary.

Additional Training and Certifications

If the CompTIA Network+ certification is not your first, and you can demonstrate that you’ve completed further training, you can expand the scope of your certifications. This can qualify you for jobs that you would not have been eligible for otherwise, as well as make you a candidate for higher-paying career opportunities. Take a look at CompTIA’s stackable certifications to explore how you can use them to build your IT career path.

Commitment

The first step in your career is to become certified. Staying certified is even more crucial, as it can demonstrate to employers that you are dedicated to your job and remain in sync with a rapidly-evolving industry.

Regional Differences

The pay for a job in one area may be very different from what is offered for the same position in another location. For example, a systems administrator working in New York City will earn around 15% more on average, or approximately $14,650 higher than the exact same role in Denver.

Networking

Connecting with IT experts and developing your professional network is incredibly critical for starting and advancing your career. Be active on social networks like LinkedIn, participate in industry-related newsgroups and forums, and join local IT groups.

Staying Up-to-Date

Make sure you’re up to date on new technologies. Spend time on IT-related websites, subscribe to newsletters, and even contribute to blogs.

Soft Skills

Your communication skills might have a great impact on your ability to land a job. And having an overall positive attitude, solving problems, managing your time effectively, coping with pressure, showing self-confidence, and having a strong work ethic all demonstrate that you’re an employee worth investing in.

Read more >> Is Net+ Worth It in 2022? Reasons, Benefits, and Cost

Conclusion

In conclusion, the CompTIA Network+ certification is a valuable investment for IT professionals seeking to enhance their skills and increase their earning potential. By demonstrating a strong understanding of networking concepts and technologies, certified professionals are able to stand out in a competitive job market and command a higher CompTIA Network+ salary.

Whether you’re just starting out in the field or looking to advance your career, the CompTIA Network+ certification provides the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as an IT professional.