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Stepping Up in Pay: Getting the Most Use of Your CompTIA Certification

    

What more can you do with a CompTIA certification?

Everyone wants to earn more money. The challenge is finding the right approach to getting a raise. You can talk to your boss and ask for more money, but will he or she see that you are actually worth more? How can you demonstrate that you have the additional skills and capabilities to increase your value to the company? Why do you deserve a raise?

If you work in tech, then there are several ways to increase your salary:

You can change jobs. Job hopping in tech is fairly common. There was a time when employees would stay with a company for years, even decades, and move up the corporate ladder slowly. Tech, however, is an environment where change happens fast, including promotions. If you aren’t getting the recognition and advancement you want, then you might consider finding another job that pays better.

You can create a new job. Entrepreneurial workers often see a gap in the organization and find ways to create their own job. Rather than losing valuable talent, companies will often create a new role that makes the best use of that worker’s skills. With a new role comes a bigger paycheck.

You can set yourself apart. Of course you work hard, but if you go the extra mile, you can stand out as well. That extra effort could be taking on more tasks, developing new ways to do things, or just being more personable and noticeable. You have to advocate for yourself, both through your work and by ensuring management sees your value.

You can get new technology certifications. Technical certifications are probably the most viable way to get ahead and get that raise. If you get Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) certification in your specialty, you can demonstrate to management that you are worth a higher salary and have what it takes to move ahead in the organization.

Explore what certification is best for you with an education advisor >>

Why CompTIA Certification

CompTIA is an IT professional association that offers certification programs recognized in more than 120 countries. This organization has granted 2.2 million certifications since it was founded in 1982, and those certifications have helped other technology professionals stand out and advance their careers. CompTIA certification is a great way to establish your credentials as an entry-level tech job candidate, or to advance your skill set if you have been in your field for some time. There are many reasons to pursue CompTIA certification, including increasing your value, salary, and career options.

If you are just starting out in your career in tech, you should start with CompTIA A+ certification. With a CompTIA A+ certificate, you can demonstrate that you have proficiency in connecting computer hardware, Windows installation and maintenance, software troubleshooting, operational procedures, basic networking, and even configuring mobile devices.

Once you have your CompTIA A+ credential, you can think about moving up to CompTIA Network Administrator certification. A Network Administrator certificate shows you understand the basics of computer networking, including design and configuration, equipment and infrastructure, virtualization, and networking troubleshooting.

An increasingly valuable certification is CompTIA Security+, which is proof of your expertise in data and network security, including hacker threats and attacks, identity protection, risk management, and dealing with system vulnerabilities. It also certifies you in secure network design, cryptography and wireless infrastructure, and the technology and tools you need to deploy and troubleshoot secure computer networks.

Once you have the basics, you can advance your career with certifications in many different technology specialties, but the A+, Network+, and Security+ certificates give you a solid foundation and offer immediate value.

It Pays to Be CompTIA Certified

While many organizations are seeking candidates with technology experience, CompTIA certification can help you get hired and get a raise. For example, the average pay for a computer technician is $47,000, according to Simply Hired, while a CompTIA A+ certified desktop support technician earns around $56,000.

The same is true for network administrators and security specialists. A networking professional with a year’s experience is paid an average of $45,200 per year. With CompTIA Network+ certification, the average salary is $74,000. Network engineers with a Security+ certificate can earn anywhere from $42,000-$96,000.

Certification can open the door to technology jobs in various industries. Here are just a few examples of jobs that benefit from CompTIA certification:

  • Computer repair technician: Computer repair specialists earn an average of $32,606.
  • PC/network/systems support: This is a more sophisticated job than simple computer repairs, so it comes with a higher salary, $68,884 on average.
  • Information technology specialist: An IT specialist is responsible for managing and maintaining corporate IT systems and earns about $81,100 per year.
  • Information security analyst: An analyst responsible for monitoring and managing network security earns an average of $97,981 per year.
  • Security specialist: An IT security specialist earns an average of $117,374 per year.

There are various certifications available for different technology roles, and according to CompTIA, certification can increase your base salary by an average of 22 percent.

Getting Started on Your Certification

To get started on your CompTIA certification, determine what type of tech career interests you most. Whether you want to bring new credentials to your current job or start studying for a new profession, choose the certification that will help you advance your career. You then can pick the right training classes to prepare for the certification exam.

Choosing where to get started can be daunting, but you don’t have to navigate the certification process alone. We have career experts who can guide you. Contact us so we can help you select and prepare for the right CompTIA certification for you.

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