CompTIA Network+

networking Entry-level Updated: 2025-04-10 Methodology

CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) validates the essential skills needed to establish, maintain, troubleshoot, and secure networks in any environment. It covers network architecture, security, troubleshooting, and industry standards across wired and wireless networks.

$75K
Avg Salary
78%
Pass Rate
28.0K
Job Listings
80h
Study Time
$358
Exam Cost

Exam Details

Exam CodeN10-009
Exam Cost$358 USD
Duration90 minutes
Questions90
Passing Score720/900
ProviderCompTIA
Difficulty4/10

Salary Data

Professionals holding the CompTIA Network+ certification earn between $50,000 and $105,000 annually, with an average of $75,000.

Job market demand trend: Stable (+4% YoY)

Prerequisites

  • No formal prerequisites
  • CompTIA A+ certification recommended
  • 9-12 months of networking experience recommended

Skills Covered

Network ArchitectureNetwork SecurityNetwork TroubleshootingIP Addressing & SubnettingWireless NetworkingNetwork ServicesCable & ConnectivityCloud & Virtualization Concepts

Best Study Resources

Official

CompTIA Network+ Official Study Guide

 Course

Professor Messer Network+ Training

 Practice Exams

Jason Dion Practice Exams — Udemy

Comparisons Featuring CompTIA Network+

Cisco CCNA vs CompTIA Network+

CCNA and Network+ are the two certifications every aspiring network professional considers — but they serve different pu...

CompTIA A+ vs CompTIA Network+

CompTIA A+ vs Network+: two foundational IT certifications that launch tech careers. A+ focuses on hardware, troubleshoo...

Career Paths With CompTIA Network+

Network Engineer

Network engineers design, implement, and maintain the networking infrastructure that connects organi...

$65K - $140K +6% (2022-2032)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CompTIA Network+ worth it in 2025?
Yes. Network+ remains a widely recognized vendor-neutral networking certification. It's valued for help desk, network admin, and junior infrastructure roles. It also meets DoD 8570 requirements for certain government IT positions.
How hard is the Network+ exam?
Network+ is moderately challenging. It requires understanding of subnetting, network protocols, and troubleshooting scenarios. Most candidates with 2-3 months of dedicated study pass on the first attempt.
Should I get Network+ or CCNA?
Network+ is vendor-neutral and broader, ideal if you're unsure about specializing. CCNA is Cisco-specific, deeper on routing/switching, and better if you're targeting Cisco environments. Network+ is often the stepping stone before CCNA.

Data Sources

  • Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
  • Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates (not official vendor data)
  • Exam details — CompTIA official documentation