Is CompTIA Network+ worth it in 2026? (an honest breakdown)
For most people early in an IT career, yes. Network+ validates the networking fundamentals nearly every infrastructure and security role assumes you have, it's vendor-neutral, and it's approved for U.S. Department of Defense baseline roles. It's less useful if you already have years of hands-on networking experience or are heading straight into a specific vendor track like Cisco's CCNA.
We build Network+ prep ourselves, so weigh our take accordingly — but here's an honest breakdown of who the cert actually helps, who should skip it, and what it costs.
What is CompTIA Network+?
Network+ is a vendor-neutral, foundational networking certification (current version N10-009). It sits one rung above A+ and validates that you understand how networks are designed, implemented, operated, secured, and troubleshot — regardless of which vendor's gear you're touching.
The exam at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Version | N10-009 |
| Questions | Up to 90 |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 720 / 900 |
| Cost | ~$369 (voucher) |
| Format | Multiple choice + PBQs |
What Network+ covers
N10-009 spans five domains:
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Networking Concepts | 23% |
| Network Implementation | 20% |
| Network Operations | 19% |
| Network Security | 14% |
| Network Troubleshooting | 24% |
Jobs Network+ helps you land
Network+ is a resume-screening credential for early-career infrastructure roles. It shows up most in listings for:
- Network technician / NOC technician — monitoring, provisioning, and first-line network support.
- Help-desk tech moving up — the natural next step after A+ toward infrastructure work.
- Junior network administrator — day-to-day switch/router/VLAN operations.
- Junior systems administrator — where networking is half the job.
- Federal / defense contracting — many roles require a DoD-approved baseline cert, and Network+ qualifies.
Salary reality
Take any single salary figure with skepticism — pay depends on role, location, and experience far more than on one cert. That said, the public 2026 data points in a consistent direction: roles associated with Network+ average roughly $70,000–$75,000, with network administrators commonly in the ~$68,000–$98,000 range depending on seniority. Multiple sources estimate certified holders earn on the order of 15–23% more than non-certified peers early on.
The important caveat: Network+'s salary impact is front-loaded. It moves the needle most for people breaking in or leveling up from help desk. A network engineer with five years of experience won't gain much from adding Network+ alone — at that stage, hands-on skills and vendor certs like CCNA matter more.
Where Network+ fits: A+, Security+, and CCNA
| Cert | Role in your path |
|---|---|
| A+ | Broadest entry point — hardware, OS, support fundamentals. Often taken first. |
| Network+ | Networking depth on top of A+. The bridge into infrastructure and security. |
| Security+ | Entry security cert; assumes networking basics. Common next step after Network+. |
| CCNA | Cisco-specific, harder, more respected for network-engineer roles. |
The classic ladder is A+ → Network+ → Security+ for a general IT/security path, or Network+ → CCNA if you're aiming specifically at networking. Deciding between the security options? See Security+ vs Network+.
Who should get Network+ — and who should skip it
Get it if: you're new to IT or moving up from help desk, you want a vendor-neutral networking foundation, or you're targeting federal/defense roles that require a baseline cert.
Consider skipping if: you already have solid networking experience, or you know you want a Cisco networking career and would rather put your study hours straight into the CCNA.
Study for Network+ the efficient way
Adaptive Network+ quizzes, hands-on labs, and full timed mock exams — 7-day free trial, no card required.
See CrushCert's Network+ prep →Ready to plan it out? Read how long it takes to study for Network+ next.
Frequently asked questions
Is CompTIA Network+ worth it in 2026?
For people early in an IT career — help-desk techs moving up, career changers, or anyone targeting network or infrastructure roles — yes. It validates networking fundamentals employers screen for and is approved for U.S. DoD baseline roles. It's less useful if you already have years of networking experience or are heading straight for a specific vendor track like Cisco's CCNA.
Does Network+ get you a job?
On its own, not usually — but it clears resume filters for roles like network technician, NOC technician, and junior network/systems administrator, and it pairs well with A+. Certified holders tend to earn meaningfully more than non-certified peers early in their careers. Hands-on skill still closes the deal.
Should I get Network+ or CCNA?
Network+ is vendor-neutral and easier — a great foundation if you're new to networking. CCNA is Cisco-specific, harder, and more respected for network-engineer roles. Many people do Network+ first, then CCNA. If you already know you want a Cisco networking career, you can go straight to CCNA.
How much does Network+ cost?
A single N10-009 exam voucher is about $369, before study materials. Retakes cost the same, so it pays to be consistently scoring in the mid-80s on practice exams before you book.