The Only IT Certifications Worth Getting in 2026 (Based on Real Jobs)
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π My Recommended IT Resources (affiliates help the channel at no extra cost)
π Coursera Certificates
β’ Google IT Support Professional β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/coursera-google-it
β’ Google Cybersecurity Professional β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/coursera-cyber
My Labs
β’ https://jakestechlabs.com
π§ͺ CompTIA A+ (Jason Dion)
β’ Core 1 Course β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core1-course
β’ Core 1 Practice Tests β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core1-practice
β’ Core 2 Course β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core2-course
β’ Core 2 Practice Tests β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core2-practice
π Network+ (Jason Dion)
β’ Full Course β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-netplus-course
β’ Practice Tests β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-netplus-practice
π Security+ (Jason Dion)
β’ Full Course β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-secplus-course
β’ Practice Tests β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-secplus-practice
π‘ CCNA & Networking
β’ David Bombal CCNA Course β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/bombal-ccna
β’ Jeremyβs IT Lab (free CCNA) β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jeremys-it-lab
π§° Hands-on Labs
β’ AZ-104 Microsoft Labs β https://links.jakehulberg.dev/az104-labs
π Books I Recommend (Amazon)
β’ CompTIA A+ (Mike Meyers) β https://amzn.to/401Qkdf
β’ Network+ All-in-One (Meyers) β https://amzn.to/44ylMky
β’ Security+ SY0-701 (Gibson) β https://amzn.to/4ko9GAq
β’ CCNA β 31 Days Before β https://amzn.to/44jKiY8
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π¬ Comment your thoughts below and I'll respond to every one!
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Email: jake@jakehulberg.dev
Website: https://www.jakehulberg.dev
00:00 β Why certifications donβt equal higher pay (ROI mindset)
01:05 β Beginner fears + the entry-level cert trap
01:24 β Best beginner cert #1: Google IT Support (low cost, fast signal)
02:36 β Best beginner cert #2: Network+ (the real foundation)
03:18 β Best beginner cert #3: Security+ (why recruiters love it)
04:46 β Why A+ is usually not worth the money
04:48 β Mid-level careers: where people break out or get stuck
05:02 β CCNA: the highest ROI mid-level cert (by far)
06:08 β Mid-level security paths: CySA+, CASP+, SC-300, SSCP
07:37 β Senior-level certs: CCNP, CISSP, OSCP (when certs amplify experience)
08:29 β Cloud cert reality: projects + certifications
09:07 β Final takeaway: certs are tools, not the goal
β οΈ FTC Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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I think regardless of the certification it's all about your purpose for getting it and what you plan on doing after you earn it. People could possess the greatest certification known to man but if all they do is obtain it and nothing more that it was a complete waste of time.
I love my A+ certification because I am brand new IT and it gave me a solid foundation. I decided to study for my CCNA and build on the skills I learned with my A+. My destination is my own small business with strong skills and projects. IT is a field where you never stop learning and constantly hone your skills and develop more.
Hey, great video I'm 22 looking to change my life around and find an actual career and I think I would like a job in tech the path for beginners is it still viable today. Does the path where I start with the 3 certifications then work on building a resume and trying to find projects for my resume still work as a path. Just a little overwhelmed and have no clue where to go lol I appreciate any feedback.
I been getting 75-80% on Jason dions practice exams about net+ should I take the test or is real test lot harder?
and He's a GUITARIST. Very cool
I worked for Netflix as a tier 2 tech, got laid off when they left Oregon and I was a dumb ass and let my certs laps. I want to get back into IT and I'm having to start all over again.. In a way it's kind of cool that there's so much more info. From the 90s until 2010 ish it was the wild wild West.
Nice one mate!
The CISSP and their $1000 cert can stick it right up their butts with AI now. Never been happier. I can craft an agent that will understand all possible things related to the CISSP and function as a house CISSP without the expensive paycheck. There is no reason to hire a human with this certification anymore.
Good point about the cloud certs! Im network admin wich i landed in this role from help-desk directly after the ccna, it was a big jump. After 1.5 year of experience i passed the az104 hoping that this cert would improve sonmthing in my actual company or get me some offers from other recruters, but nothing happened. BIg disapointment! Never take anymore a cloud cert unless my job is releted to that, bcs for the recruter even you say that: ..."i have done projects and labs with azure/other cloud..."they start to become trustless. Never again!
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that the CASP+ has been completely replaced by the SecurityX certification since December of 2024.
what is your insight on a program like DSDT technology professional 6?
Thanks
If already have CCNA can I think just move on to higher s
Certs?
With over 15-20,000 layoffs in the tech sector recently. How are these things going to do any good? Your up against people with years of experience.
Could you make a video on how to learn Microsoft products for IT thereβs no videos on it anywhere and idk what Microsoft certifications to get or how to go about learning it for IT.
What Microsoft products do you need to know for IT and should I learn these before or after getting IT certs?
I think knowing how to automate tasks is equally important. Don't think there's a cert on it, but I do see it pop up often in several job descriptions.
Could you make a video on the new CompTIA Tech+ cert? It came out in late 2024 and replaced the CompTIA IT fundamentals (ITF+) cert.
Iβm asking because Iβm new to tech and trying to decide if I should start with the newer tech+ cert or the Google it support cert. Many sources say start with tech+ while others say Google it support.
I just want the one thatβs gives me the best foundational knowledge for IT.
What about SC-900?? For beginners level
Thankfully Iβm getting a degree at WGU right now, so the Comptia trio is included
Leah Microsoft certificates are worth getting ????
i made an apprenticeship in germany as an it system engineer in systems integration and couldnt find a job afterwards. i worked 3 months in helpdesk and do my sec+ additionally and hope i can land a entry soc lvl 1 job. thanks for the nice video π
There's gaps in this list. I've never understood the push for network certs for career starters. There are cable pulling jobs that will want Network+, but there's SO much out there.
A lot of jobs list Cloud, so Azure or AWS certs are valuable. Employers are going to expect newbies to support theirs OSes, both Windows Server & Client, and probably VMWare + Linux too. Being an expert in Windows 10/11 because of home PCs is not the same as enterprise managed endpoints.
20+ years ago I got my foot in the door because I held RedHat's Linux Cert (pre-RHCE days). I mostly worked on VoIP, which does need networking expertise too, hooked up branch office WiFi (back in 2g days), etc. but the backend servers I managed ran Linux. OS certs are still very much in demand.
Thank you so much for this great advice. What do you think about ITIL certifications? I have just 1 year of experience in IT support and IΒ΄ve moved to another country so IΒ΄m looking for my first opportunity in this new city. Thank you so much again
I'm enrolled at WGU going through my BSIT degree. A+, Net+, Sec+, Cloud+, Project+, LPI Linux essentials, AWS cloud, and ITIL 4 are part of my curriculum. I have no choice but to take those certs.
honestly this is one of the few certification videos that talks about real career value instead of hype, and comparing these paths with Cert Mage resources helps me choose certifications more carefully.
About getting the microsoft identity access CS300 instead of the CySA+?
Would like to mention I think LFCS is solid and am studying for that
didn't realise CCNA is a mid-level cert. I am a truck driver in the UK, learnt networking out of curiosity and passed the CCNA last week as my first cert. Took me about 8-12 months of daily self study after 10-15 hours shifts.
My current employer (military) will pay for certs before I separate prep work and tests. A+ a good move or are there others youβd recommend to start out with.
These comments got certifications but what about jobs?? Anyone landing anything?
Cant even get a helpdesk job without any experience
What if you are a software engineer/cloud engineer? I dont have 12 months 8 hrs a day luxury to get an advanced networking cert. I also work woth Kubernetes. What is a worthwhile networking cert that actually can boost my knowledge/career but not where im devoting 100% to being a networking specialist.
As someone digging into all of this, thank you so much for these videos. They make things much easier to understand
I would say bite the bullet and get the A+. It's robust, more recognized, and some companies actually have it as an HR barrier.
Jake what about the certificates they give in mediocre high schools? Certiport and Testout? (ie. Networking security, PC Pro, software dev, artificial intell, ethical hacker pro, data analytics etc..? or should they go to a better hs that has only comp sci and comp programming? or neither and just wait until after hs
Im 40, am i too old to start a career in IT?
im in sales but wanna get a good tech sales or cyber tech or fintech job. Is there any good certs worth it for that? I heard okta certs are good and also MS-900 but i heard MS-900 is kinda useless so not sure what to get my cert for. Also dont wanna waste too much money on things that are useless for helping me get a good job
Finally going back to my roots and focusing on studying/obtaining certs again after a hiatus. Your videos are very helpful to getting me back on track, itβs a shame that i wonβt be able to renew my A+ for free by taking Net+/Sec+ since itβll lapse but iβm glad to hear Google IT Support is essentially the same thing Knowledge wise π
What are your thoughts on Cisco's CCST certs?
Hello, i have a rough IT Background because it was 90% related to software dev - learnt basic C, Network, Network fundamentals, security, .NET, Java, C++, python, HTML, CSS, JS, PHP, windows, linux, uml, algorithms, data structure, OracleDB, sqlite, mysql. BUT the curriculum of all of those mentionned above is pretty basic so it doesnt feel deserving to have a diploma and a bachelor in IT - Software. Especially in my country (Lebanon) plus it is hard to get a job since those two certs arent that powerful. I am now aiming for the google cert, i just finished cs50p. Any advice would be appreciated. I love helping people solve problems, troubleshoot, brainstorm ideas, create scripts based on logic and translate it to syntax code. And maintenance... so im playing on both ropes here
What are your thoughts on ITIL V5? I work as an it auditor but plan on changing to security focused roles.
Just starting out. So nervous and feeling inadequate as there are so many ladder steps to achieve. Studying for security + currently. Thanks for the video!
Just got my SEC+ & Google Cybersecurity Cert. CCNA is up next! Feelin confident.
This is really good advice I needed! Iβm 27 with no degree at all and Iβve been feeling nothing but despair , due to AI taking over the tech industry and having no idea where to start. I will do my best !
Very useful content
Hi Jake,
Unfortunately, last year, my previous position as a Panel Support Advisor at Kantar Worldpanel was impacted due to redundancy.
However, I am currently studying the Microsoft IT Support Professional certificate via Coursera. Will certainly document many practical tasks.
Also, I am considering doing the Datacom Service Desk Internship.
I would say that it is very important to build my practical knowledge to be honest.
What do you think?
Thank you my son will love this ( youtube ) post
Man iβm in college working towards getting a help desk job and it feels like a real uphill battle.
Would you say for a beginner the IBM It Support Cert is a valid option too? It seems a lot of the information covered on Google's & IBMs overlap. Hardware, software, basic networking, cloud, troubleshooting.
If you realy want get job this is my 50 cent's first this: CmpTIA-Network+
Server+
Linux+
Security+.
2. this: CompTIA- MS-900
AB-900
AZ-900
MD-102
AZ-104
3. this: CompTIA- MS-102
AZ-800
AZ-801
4. this: CompTIA- CySA+
PenTest+
AI-900(optional)
AI-102(optional)
all this certs give you salary about 85000-150000 USD but they realy is a like a joke and if you wan't realy learn somthing serios you need this 4 certs: RHCSA
RHCE
Terraform
CKA
Sorry but the man make money from this video and google certs is useless!