A+ vs Network+
CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
A+ leads on market demand (13,660 vs 1,855 US job postings), while Network+leads on average salary ($78,000). A+ is the more accessible starting point at 1/5 difficulty versus 2/5 for Network+.
Side-by-Side Data
| A+ | Network+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 13,660leads | 1,855 |
| Market Share | 0.23% | 0.03% |
| Demand Trend | Stable | Declining |
| Avg Salary | $62,000 | $78,000leads |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 1 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $265/exam ($530 total) | $390 |
| Study Time | 60-120 hours | 40-80 hours |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
A+
CompTIA A+
Entry-level IT certification requiring two exams: Core 1 (hardware, networking, mobile) and Core 2 (OS, security, troubleshooting). Each 90-minute exam has up to 90 questions requiring 675-700/900 to pass. DoD 8570 approved. Updated for the 2025/2026 220-1201 & 220-1202 series.
Network+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA's vendor-neutral networking certification covering network architecture, security, and troubleshooting. The 90-minute exam (N10-009) has up to 90 questions including performance-based items, requiring 720/900 to pass. DoD 8570 approved. Valid for 3 years.
A+ vs Network+: FAQ
Which pays more, A+ or Network+?+
Network+ is associated with the higher average salary: about $78,000 vs $62,000 for A+, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, A+ or Network+?+
A+ currently appears in 13,660 US job postings versus 1,855 for Network+ — roughly 7.4× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is Network+ harder than A+?+
Generally yes: we rate Network+ 2/5 difficulty versus 1/5 for A+, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both A+ and Network+?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with A+ (1/5 difficulty) and progressing to Network+. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.