make CRAZY money in tech (top 5 Entry-Level Certs)

Entry-level IT certs can act like job-ready stepping stones, but not all credentials land you in the same place. A five-path shortlist prioritizes certifications based on popularity, hiring value, what skills they actually build, and whether they map to real openings—help desk work, security foundations, networking roles, cloud entry, and ethical hacking.

For the help desk track, the recommended starting point is CompTIA A+. It’s positioned as the most common first IT job gateway, with two exams that cost $226 each (at the time of recording). The curriculum emphasizes practical fundamentals—networking, operating systems, security, and mobile devices—without going deep into advanced topics. The payoff is both employability and baseline knowledge: an average salary around $53,000 per year is cited for help desk roles, and the cert is framed as a foundation that can support later moves into areas like cloud and security.

Security is treated as the next high-demand lane, with Security+ selected as the entry-level credential for building vulnerability and threat understanding. The choice is driven by market recognition: hiring managers value it, and it can satisfy a key requirement for government security jobs. The exam is described as one test costing $381, and the transcript notes that large companies—including Netflix and Target—helped contribute to the exam’s development. The expectation is clear: Security+ isn’t a hacking credential, but it builds the baseline needed to progress.

Networking is handled with a single, resume-friendly pick: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). It’s described as highly sought after, though not easy. The exam structure is said to have shifted to one broader test (previously two), costing about $300. Beyond core networking and Cisco equipment, the CCNA is said to expand into adjacent areas like security, cloud concepts, and a bit of programming relevant to networking automation (the transcript references “DevNet ops”). The credential is presented as a direct door to network admin or network engineer roles.

For cloud, the shortlist points to AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. It’s recommended for beginners because AWS is the largest cloud provider, and the cert is framed as both accessible and affordable—about $100. The goal is not deep engineering, but a solid entry into cloud concepts and terminology that can support later specialization.

Finally, ethical hacking is presented as the most fun but also the most dependent on prerequisites. The recommended credential is PenTest+ (CompTIA’s entry-level penetration testing certification). It’s marketed as marketable and aligned with CompTIA’s entry-level approach, but the transcript warns against treating it as a first-ever cert. Instead, it’s positioned as an “after the foundation” step—typically following help desk experience and Security+—because ethical hacking is more advanced than the earlier baseline credentials. PenTest+ is described as one exam costing $381, with the transcript jokingly noting the “odd number” pricing pattern.

Overall, the list argues for a path-based approach: start with CompTIA A+ or Security+ depending on direction, then stack into networking (CCNA), cloud (AWS Cloud Practitioner), and only later penetration testing (PenTest+). Training resources are also mentioned, including ITProTV, with a note that PenTest+ training has been released.