By Quick answer: Which IT certifications get you hired in 2027?
- Help desk — CompTIA A+.
- Security — Security+.
- Cloud — AWS SAA or AZ-104.
- Network — CCNA.
Key takeaways
- Match the certification to the job title you're applying for.
- Write exact names on your résumé.
- Show a lab or project for every certification.
IT job posts name certifications more than almost any field outside security. These five cover the main IT job titles, from help desk to cloud and network engineering.
The top 5 at a glance
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CompTIA A+CompTIA | Two exams1 | 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store2 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1503 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country4 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 5 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page5 | Check issuer | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- CompTIA A+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA A+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the job post it matches
- CompTIACompTIA A+Help desk and IT supportTwo exams
- CompTIACompTIA Security+Security analystVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateCloud engineer$150
CompTIA A+
- Cost
- Two exams1
- Format
- 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support
Matches help desk and IT support posts. Two exams. CompTIA's A+ is two exams covering hardware, operating systems, networking basics and support. It's the help desk credential many job posts name, is ANAB-accredited, and CompTIA recommends about a year of hands-on support experience.
Best forhelp desk and IT support
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Matches security analyst posts; the most common entry security requirement. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forsecurity analyst
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1503
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
Matches cloud engineer posts. $150. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud engineer
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country4
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Matches Azure administrator posts; renew free yearly. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forAzure administrator
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page5
Matches network engineer posts. Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. It's ANAB-accredited and widely recognised for network engineer roles; check Cisco's page for the fee.
Best fornetwork engineer
Résumé lines that pass IT screens
- Exact names — 'CompTIA Security+', 'Cisco CCNA'.
- Tools — Active Directory, ticketing, Wireshark, AWS.
- One lab line — 'Built a home lab with AD, DNS and a firewall'.
How we ranked these picks
We chose IT certifications most often named in IT job posts, matched to titles. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which IT certification gets jobs fastest?
CompTIA A+ for help desk roles, which hire many beginners.
Can freshers get IT jobs with certifications?
Yes, especially help desk and support roles.
Is CCNA still valued?
Yes for network roles; it's widely recognised.
How many IT certifications do I need?
One that matches the role, plus practical work.
Is there a free IT practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free A+, Security+, CCNA and cloud tests.
Sources
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Science of Apps free certification catalogue — 1,200+ free tests
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 cloud computing certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones cloud job posts nameThe top 5 cloud certifications to get hired in 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, CKA and Terraform, matched to job titles.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 networking certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones job posts nameThe top 5 networking certifications to get hired in 2027: CCNA, Network+, Security+, AWS Solutions Architect and Azure AZ-104.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 DevOps certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones job posts nameThe top 5 DevOps certifications to get hired in 2027: CKA, Terraform, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104 and Google Cloud ACE.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 cybersecurity certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones security job posts nameThe top 5 cybersecurity certifications to get hired in 2027: CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH, ISC2 CC and CISM, matched to security job titles.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 10 IT certifications for 2027, from your first help-desk job to senior cloud and security rolesThe top 10 IT certifications for 2027 on one career ladder: CompTIA A+, Google IT Support, Network+, CCNA, Security+, ITIL 4, AZ-104, AWS SAA and AI.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best networking certifications of 2027: seven for network engineers and IT staffThe 7 best networking certifications of 2027: Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+, A+, Security+, Google IT Support, AWS Solutions Architect and Azure AZ-104.
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