2026 IT 职业洞察报告 IT Career Insights Research Report October 2026

CompTIA.

ITCareerInsights

ResearchReport

October2026

Ireland|Japan|Mexico|SaudiArabia|

Australia|Brazil|Canada|Germany|India|

SouthAfrica|UnitedKingdom|UnitedStates

TableofContents

Summary

2

KeyTakeaways

3

1|Careers&WorkExperience

4

2|Skills,AI,&Reskilling

9

3|Learning&EmployerSupport

12

4|Credentials,CareerValue,&Opportunity

16

Methodology&AboutCompTIA

19

Appendix:RespondentProfile&CompTIATechJobsTaxonomy

20

*Themixofrolesvariesbyemployerandsector.SeeCompTIA’sStateoftheTechWorkforceandmonthlyTechJobsReportfortechemploymentandhiring

demandtrends.AlsoseetheAppendixformoredetailsaboutCompTIA’sTechJobsTaxonomy.

Summary

Demandfortechtalentcontinuestogrow.EmploymentintheITworkforce

keepsexpanding,andemployersacrossindustrysectorsposthiring

opportunitiesspanningallsixtechjobfamilies:support,infrastructure,

software,data,cybersecurity,andenablement.*ForITprofessionals,enteringthetechfieldisonlythefirststep.Opportunitiesforcareerprogressionvary,asdoesaccesstodevelopmentsupport.

Resultsfromthissurveyshowbothsidesofthis.Three-quartersofIT

professionalsarerelativelysatisfiedwiththeirjobsoverall,whilecareer

growthrateslowestofthefivejobaspectsmeasured,andmorethanathirdnamealackofadvancementasaconcern.

ITprofessionalsespeciallyexpectfurtherlearningtobepartoftheyear

ahead.AndAIisreshapingskillneeds.MostreportthatAIalreadyhelpsthemworkmoreefficiently,whilethecapabilitiestheywanttodevelopvaryby

role.

Professionalsseecredentialsasonewaytosupportcareeradvancement.

Three-quartersagreeCompTIAcertificationsarevaluableforadvancingtheircareer,andmostholdersreportabenefit,mostcommonlyastrongerresumeorgreaterconfidence.Employersupportisnotuniversal,however,asonly

about1in3employeesindicatetheiremployerpaysforcertificationcosts,withsupportlesscommonatsmallerfirms.

CompTIA’sITCareerInsightsstudyexamineshowprofessionalsin12

countriesnavigatetheircareers:whattheywanttolearn,thelevelofsupportemployersprovide,andwhatcredentialsdeliver.

Copyright©2026CompTIA,Inc.|CompTIAITCareerInsights

|

CompTIAITCareerInsights

Copyright©2026CompTIA,Inc.

KeyTakeaways

ITworkersaresatisfiedwiththeirjobs,butcareergrowthlags

76%

Aresatisfiedoverallwiththeirjob(net),risingto84%amongITmanagersand80%ofITstaffvs.64%outsideIT

47%

Aresatisfiedwithcareergrowthopportunities(net),thelowest-ratedoffivejobaspectsmeasured

37%

Morethanone-thirdcitelackofcareergrowthasacareerpathconcern

IndividualsseeAIefficiencygains,whileskillprioritiesdivergebyjobfamily

55%

ReportAIishelpingthemworkmoreefficiently

57%

IndicateusingAItoolseffectivelyisatopskilltodevelop

68%

OfcybersecurityprofessionalsprioritizeAIsecurity/riskmanagement,vs.32%indataroles

Professionalsseekarangeoflearningsupport

92%

Coulduseatleastoneresourcetoreachtheircareergoals

43%

Wouldfindhands-onprojectsorlabsmosthelpful,followedcloselybyemployer-paidtraining(40%)

33%

OfSMBemployeessaytheiremployerdoesn’tofferlearningsupportforITstafforareunsurewhat’savailable

Credentialsdelivercareervalue,butbarrierslimitaccess

81%

AgreeCompTIAcertificationsarerelevanttotoday’sITroles(net)

84%

HaverealizedatleastonebenefitfromCompTIAcertification,ledbyastrongerresumeandgreaterconfidence

34%

Reportthattheiremployerofferscertificationpayment,fallingfrom40%atverylargefirmsto29%atSMBs

Copyright©2026CompTIA,Inc.

ITworkersaresatisfiedwiththeirjobs,butcareergrowthlags

Amongworkingprofessionals,mostaresatisfiedoverallwiththeirjob(76%net),thoughsatisfactionvariesacrossdifferentpartsofthejob.Job

satisfactionisalsogenerallyhigheramongthoseworkinginIT,thoseinmoreseniorroles,andthosewithmoreyearsofITexperience.

Satisfactionwithcertainjobaspects

Satisfied

(net)

67%

68%

59%

54%

47%

Supportfromdirectmgr

Work-lifebalance

Learning/professionaldevelopmentsupport

Compensation/pay

Careergrowthopportunities

16%17%

27%

30%

31%

15%17%

21%20%

26%

20%

33%

28%

25%

27%

40%

38%

27%

22%

20%

Overalljobsatisfaction

84%

80%

Satisfied(net)

Somewhatsatisfied

Verysatisfied

64%

39%

39%

33%

45%40%

31%

ITmgr/execITstaffOther/non-IT

Dissatisfied(net)NeutralSomewhatsatisfiedVerysatisfied

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,062employedindividuals

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,066employedindividuals

Copyright◎2026CompTIA,Inc.

AptitudeandpassionfortecharethetopdriversforenteringtheITfield.Beyondthosetwo,motivationsvarybymarket,withpaymoreprominentintheUSandjobstabilityorproblemsolvingmorecommonelsewhere.

MainreasonsforseekingcareerinIT

#1

#2

#3

#1

#2

#3

#1

#2

#3

Australia

Alignmentwith

passion

Goodskillsfit

Stableemployment

Topreasonsbycountry

BrazilCanada

Germany

Alignmentwithpassion

Goodskillsfit

Stableemployment

Alignmentwithpassion

Goodskillsfit

Solvereal-worldproblems

Alignmentwithpassion

Goodskillfit

Solvereal-worldproblems

Goodfitformyskills/aptitudewithtech

Alignmentwithmypassion/interestin

tech

Highpay/earningspotential

57%

57%

IndiaIreland

AlignmentwithAlignmentwith

passionpassion

GoodskillsfitGoodskillsfit

Stableemployment|Stableemployment

Japan

Goodskillsfit

Alignmentwithpassion

Solvereal-worldproblems

Mexico

Alignmentwithpassion

Goodskillsfit

Stableemployment

45%

Availabilityofjobopportunities/stable

employment40%

Opportunitytousetechtosolvereal-worldproblems

Jobflexibilityinworkhoursorlocation

Followedadviceoffamilymember,teacher,etc.

EndedupinITroleafterholdingother

non-ITpositions

38%

SaudiArabia

SouthAfrica

UnitedKingdom

UnitedStates

Alignmentwithpassion

Alignmentwithpassion

Alignmentwithpassion

Goodskillsfit

Goodskillsfit

Goodskillfit

Goodskillsfit

Highpay

Solvereal-world

problems

Solvereal-worldproblems

Highpay

Alignmentwithpassion

25%

15%

13%

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,623individuals

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,623individuals

Copyright©2026CompTIA,Inc.

ITcareerpathsinvolvesubstantialmovementwithinthefield,andcredentialsatentryvarywidely.PriortechexperienceisthemostcommonpathwayintoacurrentITrole,withnearly7in10ITworkerspreviouslyworkinginthe

sameoradifferenttechfield(69%net).Still,nearlyone-thirdcamefromnon-ITwork,schoolortraining,oranotherpriorsituation.

ThecredentialsandexperienceITworkershadwhenstartingtheirfirsttechjobalsovaried.Bachelor’sorpostgraduatedegreesweremostcommon,

whilenotableproportionsalsoreportcertification,highschool,somecollegeortechnicalschool,andpersonaltechexperience,amongothers.

Together,thesefindingshighlighttheneedforworkforceandlearningstrategiesthatsupportcontinuedmobilitywithinITandmultipleentrypathways.Furthermore,employerscanbroadenaccesstoqualified

candidatesbyapplyingfour-yeardegreeandpriortechexperiencerequirementsonlywhentrulynecessary.TheycanalsobuildinternalpathwaysthatletexistingstaffmoveacrossITdisciplines,increasingthelikelihoodtheystayandgrowwithintheorganization.

Topcredentials/experienceindividualshadatfirstITjob:

43%Bachelor’sorpostgraduatedegree29%Certification

27%Highschooldiploma(orGED)/secondaryschooldiploma27%Somecollegeortechnicalschoolwithoutadegree

21%Personaltechexperience

27%

16%

10%

2%

1%

2%

PositionpriortocurrentITrole

42%

SameITfieldDifferentITfieldNon-ITroleSchool/trainingNotworkingOtherNA/nopriorrole

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=2,378employedITprofessionals

Net87%ofworkingprofessionalsreportatleastoneconcernabouttheircareerpath.Lackofgrowthanduncertaintyaboutnextstepslead(37%each),butbettersalaryandbenefitsisthestrongestreasontoconsideramove(64%).

Careerpathconcerns

Total

ITmgr/exec

ITstaff

Other/

non-IT

Lackofcareergrowthopportunities

37%

32%

37%

41%

Uncertaintyaroundnextstepsforcareer

37%

28%

36%

44%

AI,automation,orotheremergingtech

30%

32%

32%

22%

Jobstress/lackofwork-lifebalance

28%

39%

27%

28%

Riskofskillsbecomingobsolete

27%

20%

29%

24%

Riskofjobbeingoutsourcedorpositionterminated

22%

19%

24%

16%

Lackofresourcestodojobeffectively

19%

26%

20%

15%

None

13%

15%

13%

15%

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,051employedindividuals

Reasonsforconsideringanewjob

Bettersalaryandbenefits

Bettercareeroptions/long-termopportunities

Betterwork-lifebalance

Pursuefieldofgreaterinterest

Movetodifferentlocation

ConcernsaboutAI/automationchangingmyrole

Nothappyincurrentjob

NA/wouldn'tconsider

64%

48%

37%

MuchhigheramongthoseoutsideIT

19%

16%

16%

10%

MuchhigheramongthoseworkinginIT

MuchhigheramongthoseoutsideIT

31%

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=2,903employedindividuals

Mostprofessionalsplantodevelopwithintheircurrentfield.Slightlymorethantwo-thirdsintendtodosobystrengtheningtheirtechnicalskillsoradvancingtoahigherlevel(68%net).Amongthoseseekinganewordifferentrole(21%net),interestsspanseveralfields,withcybersecuritythemostcommonselection(51%).Foremployers,thissuggeststhatskillsdevelopmentandclearadvancementtracksaddresswhatmostofthe

current,andpotential,workforceisseeking.

Topdesirednewrole:

Cybersecurityspecialist,engineer,analyst,etc.

Systemsadmn,engineer,architect,etc.

ITmgr/dir,CIO,CISO,etc.

Consultant,businessowner,

etc.

Nextcareerpathstepovernext1-2yearswithsegmentationofworkersbycurrentjobfamily

Total

Support

Infra-

structure

Soft-ware

Data

Cyber-security

Enable-

ment

Other/

non-IT

39%

Improvetechnicalskillsincurrentrole

30%

45%

50%

45%

44%

36%

32%

29%

Movetohigherlevelwithincurrentfieldorareaofinterest

31%

28%

25%

32%

39%

38%

21%

17%

Moveintodifferentornewtechrole

26%

13%

11%

9%

10%

12%

28%

3%

Moveintoroleoutsideoftech

3%

2%

3%

5%

2%

3%

4%

12%

Unsure

9%

12%

11%

9%

5%

11%

16%

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=749newroleseekers|n=3,631individuals(Total)|n=3,068employedindividuals

ProfessionalsseeefficiencygainsfromAI,whileskillprioritiesalreadydivergebyjobfamily

Morethanhalfreportimprovedefficiency(55%),about1in3sayAIis

changingtheskillstheyneed(34%),and57%prioritizelearningtouseAItoolseffectively.Certifiedprofessionalsreportefficiencygainsandnewcareeropportunitiesatsignificantlyhigherratesthannon-certified

professionals.

MostimportantAIskillstodevelopbycurrentjobfamily

Total

Support

Infra-

structure

Software

UsingAItoolseffectively

57%

53%

61%

61%

AIsecurity/AIriskmgmt

47%

42%

42%

37%

Automatingworkflows

46%

39%

44%

47%

IdentifyingAIusecases

37%

31%

38%

44%

EvaluatingAIoutputsforaccuracy/quality

34%

23%

33%

40%

Dataanalysis/model-relatedskills

26%

21%

18%

28%

Data

Cyber-security

Enable-

ment

Other/

non-IT

UsingAItoolseffectively

59%

61%

59%

55%

AIsecurity/AIriskmgmt

32%

68%

55%

37%

Automatingworkflows

50%

55%

49%

43%

IdentifyingAIusecases

43%

43%

42%

36%

EvaluatingAIoutputsforaccuracy/quality

44%

39%

41%

32%

Dataanalysis/model-relatedskills

53%

25%

29%

29%

HowAIisaffectingcurrentrolesorcareerplans

55%

Helpingmeworkmoreefficiently

34%

ChangingtheskillsIneed

26%

Creatingnewcareeropportunities

24%

Creatinguncertaintyaboutmyfuturerole

19%

Havinglittleornoimpactsofar

3%

Other

7%

Unsure

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,623individualsSource:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,395individuals(Total)|n=2,881employedindividuals(byjobfamily)

Copyright©2026CompTIA,Inc.

Continuingwiththecountry-levelview,professionalsinnearlyallthemarketscoveredaremostlikelytociteefficiencygainsfromusingAI.NotablecountrydifferencesincludehigherratesofimprovedefficiencyandnewcareeropportunitiesinBrazil,changingskillneedsinJapan,anduncertaintyaboutfuturerole/careerplansinCanada,theUK,andtheUS.

AIimpact

Australia

Brazil

Canada

Germany

India

Ireland

Japan

Mexico

SaudiArabia

SouthAfrica

UK

US

Helpingmeworkmoreefficiently

57%

75%

54%

58%

55%

48%

59%

63%

53%

59%

53%

51%

ChangingtheskillsIneed

29%

37%

38%

30%

32%

29%

60%

49%

25%

21%

30%

35%

Creatingnewcareeropportunities

21%

51%

25%

31%

41%

24%

28%

47%

32%

29%

14%

24%

Creatinguncertaintyaboutmyfutureroleorcareerplans

22%

15%

28%

19%

18%

22%

14%

12%

14%

14%

27%

29%

Havinglittleornoimpactso

far

23%

12%

16%

16%

17%

29%

12%

12%

18%

22%

26%

20%

Other

3%

1%

5%

4%

0%

1%

1%

2%

0%

1%

3%

3%

Unsure

8%

1%

7%

12%

8%

6%

4%

2%

12%

9%

7%

6%

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,619individuals

Copyright©2026CompTIA,Inc.

Lookingacrossdesiredroles,interestinimprovingsecurityskillsextendsbeyondcybersecurityroles,leadingprioritiesforbothsupportandinfrastructurepathways.Role-specificAIskillsaremoreprominentamongthosepursuingdataandcybersecurity.

Securitycrossescareerpaths

Itistheskillareaindividualsseekingaroleinsupport(68%)orinfrastructure(69%)

mostwanttoimprove,and,naturally,iscentraltotheentirecybersecurity

pathway.

AIprioritiesvarybycareerpath

AI-relatedskillsrankhigheramongthoseseekingdata(50%)orcybersecurity(59%)rolesthanforthosetargetingsupport

(36%)andinfrastructure(34%)roles.

Desiredrole

Leadingskillpriorities

Support

68%

Cybersecurity

61%

Networking

45%

Softwareinstallation,configuration,&troubleshooting

Infrastructure

69%

Networksecurity

61%

Networkmonitoring&performanceanalysis

61%

Networkautomation/scripting

Data

65%

Databaseadministration

59%

Dataanalysis

58%

Scripting/programming

Cybersecurity

64%

Threatdetection,investigation,&response

64%

Cloudsecurity

61%

Networksecurity

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=531individualswho’dliketomoveintooneormoreofthesefourroles

Professionalsseekarangeoflearningsupport

Currentandaspiringworkerspointtoarangeofresourcesthatwouldmosthelpthemreachcareergoals.Net92%reporttheycoulduseatleastone.

Total

Whatwouldmosthelpreachcareergoals

43%

Hands-onprojectsorlabs

40%

Employer-paidtraining

39%

Moretimeforlearning

38%

Certificationguidance/recommendations

35%

AccesstoAI-relatedtraining,tools,orlearningresources

33%

Networking/communityopportunities

31%

Clearercareerpathinformation

27%

Mentorship/coaching

2%

Other

8%

Noneoftheaboveorunsure

Samplingofotherwaysspecified:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

“Awaytobypassthe2yearexperiencerequirementforentrylevelpositions”

“AIlicensesprovidedbymycompany““Employertuitionassistance”

“Guidancetowardslargerhands-onprojectsthatarecomprehensiveandcanbelistedasrelevantexperienceinjobapplications”

”Internship”

“Jobopportunitiesingeneral”

“Moneyforeducation”

“Moreopportunitiesinourdepartmenttoprogress”

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,344individuals

Employer-providedlearningsupportvariesbyorganization

size.SeveralformsofsupportforITemployeesaremore

commonlyreportedatlargerorganizations.Thewidest

differencesappearinaccesstoonlinelearning,certification

reimbursement,andemployer-paidtraining.Manyother

resources,includingdedicatedlearningtimeandhands-onlabs--bothamongthetopthreeresourcesprofessionalssaywouldhelpthemreachtheircareergoals--arelesscommonly

offeredacrosscompanysizes.One-thirdofSMBemployeesreportthattheirorganizationdoesn’tofferanycontinuous

learningsupportforITstafforareunsurewhatisavailable.Evenatthelargestfirms,1in5saysthesame,showingroomtoimprovebothaccesstosupportandawarenessofexistingresources.

WaysemployersupportscontinuouslearningforITstaffbyorganization’stotalnumberofemployees

Certificationreimbursementorexamvouchers

Accesstoonlinelearningplatformsor

subscriptions

Employer-paidtrainingcoursesorprograms

Training&supportwhenstartinganewrole

Dedicatedlearningtimeduringworkhours

Careerpathingorskillsassessments

Mentorshiporcoaching

Hands-onlabs/simulationenvironments

Stretchassignments,jobshadowing,orrotational

opportunities

Noneoftheaboveorunsure

29%

34%

40%

23%

38%

42%

28%

32%

38%

17%

20%

24%

16%

SMB

19%

Large

24%

Verylarge

16%

20%

12%

13%

15%

10%11%

14%

33%

23%20%

14%

16%

19%

14%

Employeeswhoaremoresatisfiedwiththeirjobsgenerallyreportgreateraccesstolearningsupport,whileneutralanddissatisfiedemployeesaremorelikelytoreportnosupportorbeunsurewhatisavailable.

Supportalsovariesbyindustry.Financial/banking/insuranceleadsacrossmanyformsofsupport,includingonlinelearning,certificationpayment,andcareerpathing,whilegovernmentworkersreportemployer-paid

trainingatgreaterrates.

CertificationpaymentisreportedmoreoftenamongCompTIAsamplevs.third-partypanelsample.

SMB(1-499employees),Large(500-9,999),Verylarge(10,000+)

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=2,993employedindividuals

Mostprofessionalsanticipateneedingadditionaltrainingoreducationinthenext12months,including44%withmoredefinitelikelihood.Perhapsasexpected,thoseearlierintheircareertendtoindicatedefinitelyorprobablyathigherratescomparedtothosewithmoreyearsofITworkexperience.

Whenaskedmorespecificallyabouttheformatstheyexpecttouseoverthenextyear,9in10reportatleastone.Planneduseisgreatestforflexibleoptionsthatcanbeaccessedwhenneeded,andgenerallylowerforformatsthatrequirescheduledparticipation(thesefindingsreflectexpectedusage,notthe

relativevalueofeachapproach).

Yes,definitelyYes,probably

Generalneedfortraining/educationovernext12months

44%

26%

10%17%

No,probablynotMaybe

Unsurenotshown:3%

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,595individuals

Trainingmethodsplannedovernext12months

59%

42%

40%

39%

37%

32%

21%

18%

10%

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,595individuals

Self-pacede-learningcourse

Shortonlinevideos/tutorials

Hands-onlabsorsimluation-basedlearning

Books/eBooks,studyguides,orpracticetests

On-the-jobtrainingorproject-basedlearning

On-demandrecordedvideocourse

Livevirtualclasstaughtbyaninstructor

In-personinstructor-ledclassorworkshop

NAornoneoftheabove

Furtherregardingtrainingmethodsplannedbycountry,self-pacede-learningistheleadingplannedtrainingmethodoverallandinnearlyeverycountrycovered.However,preferencesforothermethodsdifferbycountry,reinforcingtheneedtotailorthemixoftrainingmethodsofferedineachmarket.

Trainingmethod

Australia

Brazil

Canada

Germany

India

Ireland

Japan

Mexico

SaudiArabia

SouthAfrica

UK

US

Instructor-ledlivevirtualclass

15%

39%

17%

19%

32%

19%

15%

17%

18%

30%

25%

20%

Instructor-ledinpersonclass

13%

28%

15%

18%

28%

14%

8%

10%

25%

22%

18%

18%

On-demandrecordedvideocourse

36%

59%

30%

35%

33%

30%

13%

48%

32%

25%

31%

32%

Shortonlinevideos/tutorials

43%

60%

43%

45%

41%

40%

20%

38%

40%

42%

43%

43%

Self-pacede-learningcourse

66%

67%

60%

62%

58%

63%

35%

71%

56%

60%

64%

59%

Hands-onlabsorsimulation-basedlearning

42%

65%

46%

42%

52%

40%

17%

50%

33%

44%

43%

37%

Books/eBooks,studyguides,orpracticetests

45%

56%

44%

42%

37%

46%

30%

71%

25%

37%

42%

36%

On-the-jobtrainingorproject-basedlearning

37%

43%

35%

39%

45%

29%

10%

23%

33%

38%

44%

38%

NAornoneoftheabove

9%

2%

10%

11%

6%

10%

34%

4%

10%

6%

12%

9%

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,592individuals

Credentialsdelivercareervalue,thoughbarrierslimitaccess

About8in10agreeCompTIAcertificationsarerelevanttotoday’sITThegreatmajorityofrespondentstothisstudy,bydesign,hold/haveheld

roles(81%net),developedbycredibleindustryexperts(80%),helpfulinCompTIAcertification.Amongthe11%ofrespondentsnotcurrentlyholding

preparingpeopleforreal-worldroles(78%),trustedbyemployersaCompTIAcertification,themainreasonisthatitisnotrequiredbyan

(77%),andvaluableforadvancingtheircareer(75%).employer,followedbyothersituationsorconstraints.

ThegreatmajorityofCompTIAcertifiedprofessionalshaverealizedat

leastonebenefit(84%net),ledbyastrongerresume(50%)andgreaterTopreasonsfornotearningorrenewingCompTIAcertificationconfidence(49%).

68%netsaycertificationhasalreadyhelpedtheircareer,including26%

whoadvancedintheircurrentITrole.Notrequiredbycurrent45%

employer

44%paidoutofpocketwithnoreimbursement,vs.28%whose

employercoveredthecost.

Ididbutitexpired/haven’t

about1in3saytheiremployerofferscertificationreimbursementorexamvouchers(34%).

AmongthesmallsharewithoutacurrentCompTIAcertification,thetopTooexpensive23%

reasonsinvolveemployerrequirements,expiration/non-renewal,andcostratherthandoubtsaboutcareervalue.

Unlikelytohelpwithgetting

20%

ajob/careeradvancement

“ThevalueofhavingaCompTIAcertificationishighlyDon’thaveenoughtimeto

consideredwhenhiring,hereinBrazil.However,manyprepare15%

companiesheredonothelptopayforthepurchaseofthe

exam.”Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=402individualswhodon’tcurrentlyholdCompTIAcertification

Acrossallemployedprofessionals,employer-fundedsupportislimited:renewed25%

Copyright©2026CompTIA,Inc.

Morethan8in10reportexperiencingatleastoneofthesebenefitsfromearningCompTIAcertification

(84%net).Abouthalfpointtoastrongerresume(50%)andgreaterconfidence(49%),followedbysenseofprideinachievement(41%).

Benefitsaremostpronouncedamongthosewhokeeptheircertificationcurrent:85%ofcurrentholders

reportatleastonebenefit,vs.71%whosecertificationisnolongercurrent.

Strongerresumevalueisgreateramongthosenewertotheirrole.Sixin10withlessthantwoyearsintheircurrentrolereportastrongerresume(60%),vs.37%with10yearsormore,forinstance.

Beyondthebenefitsshownhere,nearly1in3amongthesmallersubsetofthoseemployedatthetimeof

certifyingreportreceivingapayincreaseand/orbonusfromtheiremployer(29%net).

TopbenefitsrealizedfromCompTIAcertification

50%

49%

Strongerresumeorprofessionalprofile

whenapplyingforjobs

Greaterconfidenceinabilities

41%

Greatersenseofprideoraccomplishment

32%

30%

22%

17%

16%

StrongersenseofbelongingintheIT

profession

Greatercredibilitywithemployersorhiring

managers

Increasedrespectfromworkpeersor

manager

Increasedproductivity&efficiency

Greatersatisfactionwithcurrentjob

Source:CompTIAITCareerInsights|n=3,193individualswhohold/haveheldCompTIAcert

CompTIAcertificationsupportscareerprogressindifferentways.RespondentsdescribeenteringIT,changingcareers,advancingprofessionally,andgainingconfidenceandexternalvalidationoftheirskills.

Samplingofverbatimcomments:

Careerentry&careerchange

“ThetwocertificationsIgotallowedmetogetmyfirstjobintech!Agreatplatformforme,Iwouldrecommendittomanypeople.”

“Averygoodcertificationthatjumpstartedmycareer.”

“ThesecertshelpedmegofromalowpayaveragetechroleintoacareerinthemedicalITfield.InolongerneedCompTIAspecificcertstodomyjob,butI'vealwayshadasenseofprideinhavingthesecerts.”

“IloveCompTIAthanksforhelpingmeswitchmycareertotech”

“CompTIApavedthewayformetogetmyfirstjob”

Advancement&opportunity

“CompTIACertshaveopenedmanydoorsduringmy30yearITTechcareer.Madethedifferencewhenotherjobcandidatesaremoreorlessequaltome!”

“Thecertificationsarecriticaltoadvanceinthisever-changingtechenvironment”

“Theyarereallyverygood,andIrecommendthemtoanyprofessionalwhowantstoevolveinthetechnologyareaandintheircareer.”

“CompTIAcertificationhavebeenveryvaluableformycareeradvancement.”

“CompTIAcertificationsprovidegreatvalueforcareergrowthandupskilling”

Confidence&skillvalidation/credibility

“CompTIAcertificationshelpedmeboostmyconfidenceinthetechfieldwhichhelpedmelandmyfirstjob.”

“CompTIAcertificationsvalidateyourskills,increaseemployertrust,improvejobopportunities,andsupportlong-termcareergrowth.”

“CompTIAarearespectedCertificationwithgreatrecognitionwithintheindustry.”

“IthinkCompTIAdoesagreatjobofprovidingcertificationexamsthatreallytestyourskills”

“IappreciateCompTIA'scommitmenttoprovidinghigh-qualitycertificationsan