Is CompTIA A+ Worth It? What You Need to Know

CompTIA A+ certification is recognized as the industry standard for foundational IT knowledge. It’s often the first step for beginners in the industry looking to land an entry-level job in IT.

If you’re just starting your IT journey, the answer to the question, “Is CompTIA A+ certification worth it?” is a definite yes.

However, obtaining the CompTIA certification doesn’t guarantee a job. Most employers will also expect hands-on experience, along with soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and a positive attitude.

That’s where Climb Hire becomes a huge asset. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income working adults land jobs in tech, we go beyond certification training.

Our free IT Support program:

• Thoroughly prepares you for the CompTIA A+ certification exams — which you’ll sit entirely for free.
• Equips you with the practical, hands-on experience you need to land your first tech support role.
• Includes dedicated job placement support from our team that will help you find a job once you graduate.

Thanks to all these features — and not just the certification alone — 80% of Climb Hire alumni land jobs within six months of graduating from one of our courses.

But, before we get too deep into the details of our program, we’ll cover everything you need to know about CompTIA A+, including its benefits, what the exams cover, and the best ways to get certified.

Is CompTIA A+ certification worth it?

For any aspiring IT professional, CompTIA A+ certification is definitely worth it. Here’s why:

1. Having a CompTIA A+ certification on your resume will impress job recruiters. It’s widely regarded as the go-to credential for entry-level IT roles, such as IT support specialist, desktop support technician, help desk specialist, network support technician, and field service technician, where the average starting salary is around $52k. Many of these job postings list it as either a requirement or a preferred qualification.
2. It serves as a solid foundation not just for your first role but for a long-term IT career. This entry-level certification provides a comprehensive understanding of essential IT concepts, creating a strong base to build upon as you gain experience and pursue more advanced certifications — such as CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, or specialized credentials. In other words, you’ll have the base skillset to easily grow into higher-paying and more specialized roles in areas like systems administration, software development, or cybersecurity.
3. It can show that you’re dedicated to getting the skills you need to grow. Certification is not just a piece of paper. It’s a testament to your hard work and commitment to learning — which can show you’d make a good IT professional.

That being said, it’s important to remember that a certification alone probably won’t be enough to get you a job. Potential employers will be looking to see whether you have hands-on experience, soft skills, a strong work ethic, and a desire to grow. It’ll be a lot more difficult to secure employment if you don’t have evidence of these characteristics too.

At Climb Hire, we emphasize the entire package: not just the certification, but the combination of skills, attitude, and connections that truly set candidates apart.

What does CompTIA A+ certification involve?

CompTIA A+ consists of two exams that test your knowledge in areas critical to IT support. Here’s a quick breakdown of the exams:

• Core 1 (220-1101): focusing on hardware, networking, mobile devices, cloud computing, and troubleshooting.
• Core 2 (220-1102): covering operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.

These exams are thorough, reflecting the complexity of real-world IT challenges. They’re designed to validate not just your theoretical knowledge but also your ability to apply that knowledge in practical scenarios, such as configuring devices, managing networks, and securing systems.

If you pay for the certification yourself, the total cost of taking the exams is a little over $500. This is no small sum, and it can add up even more if you need retakes.

But there’s a way to get it for free: with Climb Hire.

How to get CompTIA A+ certification

Since the CompTIA A+ exams test your knowledge of complex concepts, seeking out a training program to prepare is a smart move.

A good program will break down technical concepts into manageable lessons and provide hands-on practice to help you apply what you’ve learned. Plus, the best programs will go above and beyond, including things like soft skills training, job placement assistance, a supportive community, and a far-reaching professional network.

With that in mind, here are the three main paths to earning your CompTIA A+ certification:

1. Get CompTIA A+ certification for free with Climb Hire

Climb Hire’s IT Support program stands out as a comprehensive and accessible way to earn CompTIA A+ certification:

• All the training is free. Through our team’s intensive work to find, apply, and secure funding through government grants and philanthropic funds, we’re able to provide 100% free tuition to all students. Plus, this program is specifically designed to help you get a job, not just to train for the certification.
• We cover the cost of the exams, which typically run over $500. This makes us one of the few places where you can truly get CompTIA A+ certification for free.
• We offer live, remote instruction, which means you’ll get personalized attention from expert instructors while also having the flexibility of distance learning. The IT fundamentals can be technical and complex, so it’s helpful to have someone there to answer your questions and clear up any doubts you may have.
• The program gives you hands-on experience in interactive and assisted work in essential IT tasks like troubleshooting, setting up hardware, managing networks, and resolving technical issues. This practical experience is invaluable in helping you apply your knowledge to real-world IT challenges, making you a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs.
• You’ll get trained in soft skills. This means we help you build transferable skills like effective communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are crucial in any IT role (or any workplace, for that matter). These skills are highly valued by employers and can make a big difference when it comes to landing a job.
• You’ll study alongside a community of supportive peers. This creates a collaborative and encouraging environment, which helps keep you energized, motivated, and on track. In fact, 77% of Climbers value this strong community above all other aspects of the program.
• We offer one-on-one job placement support with a dedicated Career Development Advisor, who will help you find a job, build your resume, LinkedIn, and cover letters, and prepare you for interviews.
• You’ll gain access to our wide professional network, which will connect you to many potential employers in the IT industry. Having a strong network is a powerful resource when you’re job hunting, giving you valuable insights, job leads, and opportunities to build relationships that can help you land your first IT role.

Our alumni see tangible results, with 80% securing employment within six months of graduating, often earning starting salaries of over $50k. And, they have great things to say about their experience in our programs:

For example, Virginia was working as an optician, where most of her clients were in tech and had the opportunity to work remotely. Wanting this kind of freedom for herself, she decided to move forward with Climb Hire. Since graduating, she’s been able to work from home and has “all these nice benefits and perks” that she didn’t have before. “I feel happy and liberated. Climb Hire makes it possible to be where you want to be.”

The goal of Climb Hire is to help our students secure new jobs. Our programs are designed for individuals who are ready to commit to both the coursework and the career development support needed to launch a new career path and start a fulfilling job.

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, sign up to get notified when enrollment to our IT Support program opens again in January 2025.

2. Other CompTIA A+ training programs

In case Climb Hire isn’t quite the right fit for you — for example, if you don’t want support gaining employment — there are other tech training programs available, including those directly offered by CompTIA. The courses vary in cost, with CompTIA’s A+ training programs running hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on which option you choose.

Local CompTIA A+ training programs at educational institutions in your area are another alternative. Many offer in-person and hybrid classes. For example, residents of Memphis, Tennessee have the option of a CompTIA A+ course for $250 through a nonprofit called Tech 901.

You can find similar courses by researching local community colleges, workforce development centers, or nonprofits focused on tech education. For instance, check out our guide to the best free IT training to find a good fit for you.

These types of programs tend to be especially attractive if you prefer the physical classroom environment. However, they also come with certain challenges:

• The cost and availability of the programs can vary widely, making it harder to find a convenient or affordable option.
• Not all programs include personalized guidance in finding a job, which can make it more difficult to land your first IT role, even with your CompTIA A+ certification in hand.
• In-person classes can be difficult to accommodate for people with jobs, family commitments, or other responsibilities.

So, while these options can still be valuable for some learners, they generally come with higher costs, less flexibility, and fewer opportunities for direct job placement support.

3. Studying on your own

Independent learning is also an option for CompTIA A+ training. If you’re a true self-starter, you can find free resources like YouTube videos, articles, and forums that cover a wide range of information technology topics. Just keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for arranging and paying for the CompTIA A+ exams yourself.

Alternatively, pre-made courses to prepare you for the CompTIA A+ exams are widely available online. These offer some structure, but ultimately, you’re doing everything at your own pace and by yourself. Studying on your own offers lots of flexibility, and can be a very affordable path to take toward CompTIA A+ certification.

However, this approach has several notable challenges that can make it less efficient or effective for some learners:

• High level of personal accountability: Without a set schedule or instructor, you have to rely on your own motivation to stay on track, which can be difficult to maintain, especially while juggling other responsibilities.
• Navigating an overwhelming amount of information: With so many resources available, it can be a challenge to choose the right resources or a course that thoroughly covers all the material you’ll need to actually pass the CompTIA A+ exams.
• No feedback or progress assessment: Without an instructor or mentor, it can be hard to gauge whether you truly understand key concepts, or if you’re ready to apply them in hands-on scenarios. This can lead to difficulties when it comes to successfully passing your CompTIA A+ exams.
• No extras: Unlike structured programs, self-study doesn’t generally offer things like soft skills training, access to a professional network, or job placement assistance, all of which can significantly speed up your job search and even increase your chances of landing a higher-quality role.

After all is said and done, self-study does offer flexibility and affordability, but the lack of structured guidance, feedback, and job support can make it harder to both master the study material and secure an entry-level position in the IT field.

Get CompTIA A+ certified and land your first IT job with Climb Hire

So, is CompTIA A+ worth it? Absolutely. It’s a smart move for anyone looking to break into IT, offering immediate benefits like gaining essential technical skills and improving your chances of landing your first IT job. In the long term, it sets the foundation for opportunities to advance into higher level IT roles.

But how you choose to pursue the certification can make all the difference. Climb Hire’s IT Support program offers:

• Free training, with the cost of your CompTIA A+ certification exams covered by us.
• In-depth technical knowledge and hands-on work experience to fully prepare you for the exams.
• Job placement support to help you land your first IT job and start your career with greater ease and confidence.

Our track record speaks for itself: 80% of our alumni land jobs within six months and earn starting salaries of $50k or more.

Ready to take the first step? Get notified when enrollment in our IT Support program opens.