- Network+ as a certification is still very much relevant. The current exam series is N10-009, launched June 20, 2024, with up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and a passing score of 720.
- N10-007 as a course syllabus can still be valuable as a networking foundation—if you position it as “core networking skills” and map learners to current objectives for exam readiness.
So the right question in 2026 becomes: Is Network+ (the credential) worth it—and how does N10-007 training fit into that journey?
Why Network+ is still a smart career move
Network+ is a widely recognized, vendor-neutral credential that validates practical networking capability—things employers quietly expect you to know before they trust you with production traffic.
Even CompTIA’s own exam framing emphasizes real-world ability (mix of multiple-choice + performance-based questions).
In plain business terms: it reduces hiring risk. In human terms: it helps you stop guessing.
Career scope: where Network+ fits in 2026
Network+ sits in a sweet spot:
- Above “I know basic IT”
- Below “I’m a specialized network architect”
It supports roles across:
- IT support → network support
- network operations → junior network admin
- cloud and security pathways (because networking is the substrate)
CompTIA also frames Network+ as relevant to roles like network/systems administrator, network/systems support specialist, systems analyst, and even network/cloud engineer tracks depending on experience.
Job roles you can target after Network+ (with realistic positioning)
Here are role clusters Network+ commonly aligns with (titles vary by company):
1) Operations Support (fastest entry)
- Network Support Specialist
- NOC Technician
- Service Desk (Network-focused)
- Junior Network Administrator
These roles reward troubleshooting maturity more than theory.
2) Infrastructure Systems (next step)
- Systems Administrator (with stronger networking)
- Network Administrator
- IT Operations Engineer
This is where “I can configure and maintain” becomes your differentiator.
3) Cloud Security on-ramp (when you add one more skill)
- Cloud Support / Cloud Ops (network-heavy environments)
- SOC Analyst (stronger network visibility)
- Network Security Analyst (with additional security depth)
CompTIA’s own job-role mapping shows Network+ being associated with broader systems and cloud/network engineering pathways (role availability depends on experience, not just the cert).
ROI: what you gain vs what you spend
ROI has two layers: salary upside and time-to-opportunity.
Salary and market-value signals
Public salary analyses suggest certified professionals can earn meaningfully more than non-certified peers, with entry-level salary ranges commonly cited in the ~$50k–$65k band in some markets and uplift estimates in the ~20% range (varies by region, experience, and role).
CompTIA also cites role-based salary expectations in their Network+ “worth it” discussion, indicating the credential can align with a range of mid-level pay bands when paired with experience.
The ROI that’s hard to measure (but very real)
Network+ often pays back by:
- unlocking interviews where your resume previously got filtered out,
- making your troubleshooting faster (higher on-the-job impact),
- reducing the “learning tax” when you move into cloud/security.
That’s not poetry—it’s operational leverage.
