How to Choose Your First IT Certification in 2025
A complete step-by-step guide to selecting the perfect IT certification for your career goals and experience level
Starting your IT certification journey can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of certifications available, how do you choose the right one? This comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision based on your career goals, current skills, and budget.
Quick Answer
For absolute beginners with no IT experience: Start with CompTIA A+. For those with some IT background: Choose based on your interest - AWS Solutions Architect (cloud), Security+ (security), or CCNA (networking).
Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation
Your Experience Level
Your current experience determines which certifications are realistic and valuable:
No IT Experience (Career Changer)
Best First Certifications:
- •CompTIA A+ - Covers computer hardware, software, networking basics, and troubleshooting. Perfect foundation for any IT career. Required for many help desk jobs.
- •CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) - Even more basic than A+. Good if you have zero tech background.
- •Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) - Easy certification, good for office IT roles.
1-2 Years IT Experience (Help Desk, IT Support)
Best Next Certifications:
- •CompTIA Network+ - Dive deeper into networking. Opens doors to network technician roles.
- •CompTIA Security+ - Perfect entry into cybersecurity. DoD 8570 approved. High demand.
- •AWS Cloud Practitioner - Easy cloud fundamentals cert. Good starting point for cloud career.
3+ Years IT Experience (System Admin, Developer)
Best Advanced Certifications:
- •AWS Solutions Architect Associate - Most valuable cloud certification. $130k+ salary potential.
- •Cisco CCNA - Gold standard for network engineers. Challenging but rewarding.
- •Azure Administrator (AZ-104) - For enterprise IT and Windows shops.
- •CISSP - Requires 5 years experience. Top security certification. $135k+ average salary.
Step 2: Choose Your Career Path
Your certification should align with your desired career direction. Here are the main IT career paths and their starter certifications:
☁️ Cloud Engineering Path
Career Goal: Design, build, and manage cloud infrastructure on AWS, Azure, or GCP.
Recommended Path:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner (beginner)
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate (intermediate)
- AWS Solutions Architect Professional or DevOps Engineer (advanced)
💰 Salary Range: $95k - $160k | 📈 Job Growth: Very High
🔒 Cybersecurity Path
Career Goal: Protect organizations from cyber threats, conduct security assessments, incident response.
Recommended Path:
- CompTIA Security+ (entry)
- CompTIA CySA+ or CEH (intermediate)
- CISSP (requires 5 years experience)
💰 Salary Range: $85k - $150k | 📈 Job Growth: Extremely High
🌐 Network Engineering Path
Career Goal: Design and maintain network infrastructure, troubleshoot connectivity issues.
Recommended Path:
- CompTIA Network+ (entry)
- Cisco CCNA (intermediate - can skip Network+)
- Cisco CCNP or CCIE (advanced)
💰 Salary Range: $75k - $130k | 📈 Job Growth: Steady
💼 IT Management / Project Management
Career Goal: Lead IT projects, manage teams, oversee technology implementations.
Recommended Path:
- CompTIA A+ or tech-specific cert (foundation)
- Project Management Professional (PMP) or Scrum Master
- ITIL 4 Foundation (IT service management)
💰 Salary Range: $90k - $140k | 📈 Job Growth: High
📊 Data & Analytics Path
Career Goal: Analyze data, create visualizations, drive business insights.
Recommended Path:
- Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- AWS Certified Data Analytics or Google Data Engineer
- Tableau or specialized analytics certifications
💰 Salary Range: $85k - $135k | 📈 Job Growth: Very High
Step 3: Consider Practical Factors
Budget and Costs
Certification costs vary significantly. Consider both exam fees and study materials:
| Certification | Exam Cost | Study Materials |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | $246 (2 exams) | $50-200 |
| CompTIA Security+ | $404 | $30-150 |
| AWS Solutions Architect | $150 | $0-50 (many free resources) |
| Cisco CCNA | $300 | $100-300 |
| CISSP | $749 | $100-500 |
Cost-Saving Tip
Use free practice tests on ExamReady to save $50-150 on practice exam costs. We offer free, high-quality practice tests for AWS, Security+, CCNA, CISSP, and more certifications.
Study Time Required
Be realistic about the time commitment:
- ⏱️CompTIA A+: 1-2 months (2-3 hours/day) - Beginner-friendly
- ⏱️Security+ / AWS Cloud Practitioner: 1-2 months - Moderate difficulty
- ⏱️AWS Solutions Architect / Azure Administrator: 2-3 months - Challenging
- ⏱️CCNA / CISSP: 3-6 months - Very difficult, requires significant dedication
Market Demand in Your Location
Check job postings in your area to see which certifications are most valued:
- Search "IT jobs" + your city on LinkedIn or Indeed
- Look at "preferred qualifications" in job descriptions
- Note which certifications appear most frequently
- Prioritize certifications with highest local demand
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing Based on Ease Alone
Don't just pick the easiest certification. Choose one aligned with your career goals, even if it's harder.
Collecting Certifications Without Direction
Having A+, Network+, and Security+ might seem impressive, but it's better to specialize (e.g., go deep into AWS or Cisco).
Ignoring Prerequisites
Don't attempt CISSP or CCIE without required experience. You'll waste money and get frustrated. Follow the progression path.
Underestimating Study Time
Many people fail because they underestimate difficulty. Budget 2-3 months minimum for serious certifications like AWS SAA or CCNA.
Final Recommendation Framework
Answer these questions to finalize your choice:
- 1
What's your current experience level?
Beginner → A+ | Some experience → Security+/Network+ | Experienced → AWS/CCNA
- 2
Which career path excites you most?
Cloud → AWS | Security → Security+ | Networking → CCNA | Data → Power BI
- 3
What's your realistic study budget?
Limited → AWS ($150 exam) | Moderate → CompTIA ($250-400) | Higher → Cisco/CISSP ($300-750)
- 4
How much time can you dedicate?
1-2 months → A+/Cloud Practitioner | 2-3 months → Security+/AWS SAA | 4-6 months → CCNA/CISSP
- 5
Check local job market demand
Search job boards for certification requirements in your area
Ready to Start Studying?
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