CompTIA's 11 voluntary IT certifications range from your basic computer support credential to advanced skills in specific IT areas. These credentials generally require 1-2 exams, and recommend that individuals have a few months to a few years of experience in the exam topics before sitting for the tests.

Along with a relevant degree, these certifications can be good preparation for beginning or advancing a career in network administration, security, computer support, project management, or a variety of other positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that these careers should have excellent job prospects in the coming years, and those with a voluntary credential, as well as a relevant degree, should have the best opportunities. 

CompTIA is a nonprofit industry trade group, which offers a variety of vendor-neutral professional certifications. These credentials are well-known in the IT world, and some major IT employers even require them of their personnel. The credentials range from basic to advanced subject matter, and require varying amounts of IT experience.

Although they are not required to sit for the certification exams, an associate or bachelor's degree in an IT field can be good preparation for many CompTIA credentials. These degrees are also usually required for most professional information technology careers. Professionals who successfully complete an IT degree and CompTIA certification should have some of the best job opportunities during the 2008-2018 period, although the specific job prospects and salaries vary by IT job title.

Career Specializations

• Network, Systems, and Database Administrator: These professionals work to design, install, and maintain a client's networking capabilities, computer systems, or databases. They upgrade equipment as necessary and troubleshoot problems.
• Computer Support Specialist: Computer support specialists are the people you call when you have issues with your home networks and computer systems; they also work as part of in-house IT teams to help increase business productivity.
• Computer and Information Systems Managers: CIS managers help to direct a business's IT, so that it can better contribute to the firm's overall goals. They may manage IT employees, purchase new equipment, or direct large IT projects.
• Computer Systems Analyst: Computer systems analysts look over a business's computer systems and use of IT, and they help formulate ways to make those systems more in-line with the business's needs.

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Degree Levels Available for CompTIA Certifications

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 1-2 years to complete

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Education and Certification Requirements

CompTIA's voluntary certifications do not have any mandatory education requirements. However, each of the certifications (there are 11 in total) have their own recommended amount of IT experience; some also recommend the completion of lower-level CompTIA certifications. For example, CompTIA's Network + certification, which covers networking skills, devices, and security, recommends that candidates have 9 months of networking experience, plus the CompTIA A+ credential.

The A+ credential is the most basic certification offered by CompTIA; it tests an individual's ability to install and maintain computer systems, set up networks, and troubleshoot user issues.  Most of CompTIA's certifications require applicants to pass one to two exams, each of which is 90 minutes in length. Each exam includes around 100 questions.

While the recommended education or professional experience varies between certification, an associate or bachelor's degree in an IT-related subject is good preparation for many CompTIA certifications. Degrees in computer science, information technology, information systems, or a related field give students the ability to explore, in-depth, issues of computer usability, programming, networking, security, and other pertinent IT topics.

Having an associate or bachelor's degree will also open up many more career possibilities in IT. Most lower-level positions require at least an associate degree, and many advanced positions require the bachelor's degree.

There are no additional requirements for maintaining certification, once you have successfully passed the exams and earned your credential. You may choose to use your lower-level certification to earn more advanced CompTIA certifications, which require previous exams. You could also choose to earn additional voluntary certifications from IT product vendors. For example, Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco all offer a number of credentials based on the use of their particular equipment, at various experience levels.

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Salary Information

The amount you can earn with your CompTIA certification will also depend on your degree level and the type of IT career you choose to pursue. Those new to the IT world with an associate degree and A+ certification might choose to pursue a career as a computer support specialist. New workers in this position can expect offers of around $34,000 a year; after gaining experience, earnings can go up to $43,000-56,000. (BLS)

Network and computer systems administrators earn about $52,000 upon entering the field, with an associate degree and professional certification or a bachelor's degree. Experienced workers can earn $66,000-84,000 a year. Individuals with a bachelor's degree could also enter positions as computer systems analysts, earning $58,000 initially; those with a master's degree or professional experience can earn $76,000-96,000. (BLS; BLS)

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Job Outlook

As one could expect, most careers in the information technology sector will be experiencing much faster than average job growth in the coming years. As more businesses become dependent on IT for their productivity, more IT specialists will be hired to help maintain and upgrade these systems.

Network systems and data communications analysts will be experiencing one of the biggest job booms of all occupations, with an incredible 53% increase in jobs expected by 2018. Network and systems administrators will see a 23% increase in jobs, and systems analysts will see a 20% increase.

The growth for computer support specialists will be a bit dampened by the offshoring of these jobs, but this career will still see a 17% increase in positions based in the U.S. Each of these careers will have much better job prospects than the nation's occupations on average, which are predicted to see about 7-10% growth. (BLS; BLS; BLS)

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Related Careers 

Network administrators, or those interested in this career, might find a good fit in CompTIA's Network+ certification. These professionals help businesses maintain their data communications channels, by installing and maintaining LAN and WAN networks. A bachelor's degree, or an associate degree plus professional certification, is the usual requirement for beginning this career. 

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