CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ (CLO-002)

cloud Entry-Level Updated: 2025-01-15 Methodology

CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ validates the foundational knowledge needed to make informed cloud service decisions from a business and technical perspective. It is ideal for IT professionals, managers, and business analysts who need to understand cloud principles without deep technical implementation skills.

$70K
Avg Salary
85%
Pass Rate
5.0K
Job Listings
25h
Study Time
$139
Exam Cost

Exam Details

Exam CodeCLO-002
Exam Cost$139 USD
Duration60 minutes
Questions75
Passing Score720/900
ProviderCompTIA
Difficulty3/10

Salary Data

Professionals holding the CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ (CLO-002) certification earn between $55,000 and $90,000 annually, with an average of $70,000.

Job market demand trend: Stable

Prerequisites

  • 6 months cloud experience recommended

Skills Covered

Cloud ConceptsBusiness Principles of CloudCloud ManagementCloud Technical OperationsCloud Governance

Best Study Resources

Official

CompTIA CertMaster Learn for Cloud Essentials+

 Book

Cloud Essentials+ Study Guide — Sybex

 Course

ITProTV — Cloud Essentials+ Course

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should get Cloud Essentials+?
Cloud Essentials+ is designed for IT professionals, business analysts, project managers, and non-technical stakeholders who need to understand cloud computing concepts and how they impact business decisions. It's not aimed at engineers who build cloud infrastructure.
Is Cloud Essentials+ easier than AWS Cloud Practitioner?
Yes, Cloud Essentials+ is generally considered easier and more vendor-neutral. AWS Cloud Practitioner is specific to AWS services, while Cloud Essentials+ covers cloud concepts broadly from both technical and business angles.
Does Cloud Essentials+ expire?
Yes, like most CompTIA certifications, Cloud Essentials+ is valid for three years. It can be renewed through continuing education (CE) credits or by passing a higher-level CompTIA certification before expiration.

Data Sources

  • Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
  • Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates (not official vendor data)
  • Exam details — CompTIA official documentation