Entry-Level IT Certifications That Pay Well: Your Fast Track to $70k+
Imagine snagging a $70,000+ starting salary in IT without any experience. Entry-level IT certifications that pay well, like CompTIA Security+, make this a reality for career changers. If you’re new to tech or switching jobs, this guide is for you—no degree needed.[1][2]
Why Chase Entry-Level IT Certs Now?
Over 300,000 entry-level IT jobs sit open in the US right now. Certified pros snag 20-30% higher pay than non-certified ones.[3][4]
Cybersecurity and cloud roles explode with demand. Grab CompTIA A+ or AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP)—no experience required.[5]
Security+ alone opens doors to $60k-$80k junior roles. It’s a no-brainer in 2026’s hot market.[6][7]
Which Certs Pay the Most?
CompTIA Security+ nets junior analysts $70k-$90k on average. From what I’ve seen, it beats most starters hands-down.[1][3]
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner pulls $85k+ for cloud support gigs. Think quick wins in booming cloud teams.[8]
Cisco CCNA lands network engineers $65k-$90k starting. Solid for networking fans.[9][10]
Salary Comparison Table
| Certification | Avg Entry Salary | Top Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Security+ | $75k | SOC Analyst [11] |
| AWS CCP | $85k | Cloud Support [8] |
| CCNA | $80k | Network Tech [10] |
Numbers from CompTIA reports and job sites show certified folks earn more fast.[3]
How Do Top Certs Compare?
Costs? CompTIA A+ runs $492 for two exams at $246 each. CCNA’s just $300.[12][13]
Study time varies. A+ takes 3-5 months; Security+ wraps in 2 months with focus.[14]
Demand rules. Security+ hits 70% of cyber postings; AWS rides the cloud wave. Here’s the thing: in aws vs azure certifications compared, AWS edges for entry pay.[15][8]
Pros and Cons List
- Security+: Pros—high pay, huge demand; Cons—some math-heavy crypto bits. The real deal for security.[1]
- A+: Pros—easy entry to IT support; Cons—lower $50k-ish salary. Great starter, honestly overrated long-term.[16][17]
- AWS CCP: Pros—fast study, cloud boom; Cons—less hands-on than CCNA.[18]
For networking certifications roadmap 2026, CCNA tops the list after A+.[10]
How Much Time and Money?
CompTIA A+: $492 total, prep in 3-5 months part-time. Use free YouTube labs.[13][17]
Google IT Support on Coursera? $49/month, done in 3-6 months. Leads to $50k-$60k help desk.[19][20]
AWS CCP: $100 exam fee, study 1-2 months. Free tier for practice—game-changer.[18]
Budget under $500? Stack CompTIA first. Scrum master certification review later for management jumps.[15]
Pick Your Perfect Cert?
Match your goals. Security? Sec+. Networking? CCNA via 2026 roadmap. Support? A+.[10]
Tight budget under $500? CompTIA stack wins. Check job postings—Security+ dominates 70% entry security roles.[3]
In my experience, cloud like AWS beats Azure for pure entry pay in aws vs azure certifications compared.[8]
Land Jobs Fast with Certs?
Build hands-on labs. AWS Free Tier for cloud; TryHackMe for Security+ attacks.[18]
Resume hack: Quantify wins—“Resolved 100+ tickets in sims.” Target help desk at $50k, junior analyst $70k.[4]
Apply to 50 jobs weekly on Indeed. Track progress—certs speed interviews.[21]
Wrapping Up: Top Picks and Next Steps
Entry-level IT certifications that pay well? Go Security+, AWS CCP, CCNA. They boost you to $70k+ fast.[8][10][1]
Next: Pick one, build a 2-month study plan on platforms like Coursera. Apply to 50 jobs. Track salary in 6 months—you’ll thank yourself.