From No Experience to IT Support
The most accessible true entry point into tech. CompTIA A+ alone, paired with some hands-on troubleshooting practice, is commonly enough to be a competitive candidate.
PrerequisitesNone.
Estimated costCommonly cited around $500 total for both A+ exam vouchers, plus whatever study materials you use.
Estimated timelineRoughly 6–10 weeks of part-time study for most people with no prior exposure.
Skills you'll actually need
- Basic computer literacy and comfort learning new software quickly
- Methodical troubleshooting (working through a checklist rather than guessing)
- Customer-service communication — explaining technical issues to non-technical people without condescension
- Patience with repetitive, similar tickets
Recommended steps
- 1. CompTIA A+ (both exams)
Covers hardware, networking basics, OS troubleshooting, and security fundamentals — the standard entry credential for help desk roles.
Skip the bootcamp for this path. A bootcamp is overkill for this lane — the entry bar is the certification plus demonstrated troubleshooting ability, not a multi-month program.
Roles this typically opens
- Help desk technician
- Desktop support technician
- IT support specialist
What salary progression actually looks like
The biggest pay jump in this lane usually comes from moving into Tier 2/3 support or a specialization (networking, security) — not from tenure in a Tier 1 role alone. Staying in pure Tier 1 support tends to plateau faster than most other lanes on this site. See Entry-Level Tech Salaries for how to research current numbers for your area.
The biggest obstacles people underestimate
- Entry IT support postings are genuinely saturated with A+-certified candidates in many metro areas — the cert alone often isn't a differentiator anymore
- Some employers still informally filter for a degree despite the role not requiring one
- Standing out often takes a visible troubleshooting portfolio (a home lab, documented fixes) beyond the certification itself
Who should not choose this pathway
- If you're expecting this to pay meaningfully more than a typical service-industry job right away — it often doesn't, at least not immediately
- If you dislike repetitive troubleshooting and want daily variety — most Tier 1 work is genuinely repetitive
- If you want to skip straight to interesting technical problem-solving — IT support is usually a stepping stone, not a destination
Explore this pathway further
Career context
- Easiest tech jobs to break into first
- IT Support vs. Cybersecurity vs. Data
- Entry-level tech salaries by role
Certifications
Bootcamps & how to decide
- Do certifications actually get you hired? — why this path skips it
More on this specific situation
Tools
- Take the 2-minute bootcamp-vs-certification quiz
- Explore a different background or goal in the Pathway Finder
Before you decide Cost and timeline figures above are commonly cited ranges, not live-verified pricing. Confirm current exam fees and program costs directly with the certifying body or provider before paying for anything.
TechPathU Editorial Team
Independent research on bootcamps, certifications, and tech career transitions. See our Transparency page for how we're compensated. This page is general information, not professional advice — see our full Disclaimer.
Independent research on bootcamps, certifications, and tech career transitions. See our Transparency page for how we're compensated. This page is general information, not professional advice — see our full Disclaimer.