CompTIA Server+

C
By Certalyze Research Desk Automated Research & Source Audit
Reviewed by Certalyze Source Audit Updated 2025-04-10
networking Entry-level Updated: 2025-04-10 Methodology

CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005) validates the hands-on skills required to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot server hardware and software technologies in data center and on-premises environments. It covers server architecture, storage, security, networking, and disaster recovery — making it ideal for IT professionals working with physical and virtual server infrastructure.

$72K
Avg Salary
75%
Pass Rate
6.0K
Job Listings
80h
Study Time
$358
Exam Cost

Is the CompTIA Server+ Worth It?

Strengths

  • Entry point into IT careers with $72,000 average salary
  • Achievable exam with 75% community-reported pass rate

Considerations

  • Moderate exam investment at $358
  • Has prerequisites — not suitable for complete beginners

Bottom line: At $358 exam cost with an average salary of $72,000, the CompTIA Server+ offers a solid return on investment for networking professionals.

Who Should Get the CompTIA Server+?

This certification is a good fit if you are:

  • Anyone targeting roles that list CompTIA Server+ as preferred or required

Exam Details

Exam CodeSK0-005
Exam Cost$358 USD
Duration90 minutes
Questions90
Passing Score750/900
ProviderCompTIA
Difficulty5/10

Salary Data

Professionals holding the CompTIA Server+ certification earn between $52,000 and $95,000 annually, with an average of $72,000. For context, the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty averages $145,000.

Job market demand trend: Stable (+2% YoY)

Disclaimer: Salary figures are US-median estimates compiled from BLS wage statistics, Glassdoor, and job-posting aggregates. They are estimates only, not financial advice or a guarantee of earnings. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, employer, and negotiation.

Prerequisites

  • No formal prerequisites
  • CompTIA A+ certification recommended
  • 18-24 months of server administration experience recommended

Skills Covered

Server ArchitectureServer AdministrationStorageSecurityNetworkingDisaster Recovery

Best Study Resources

Official

CompTIA Server+ Official Study Guide

 Course

LinkedIn Learning Server+ Training

 Practice Exams

CertMaster Practice for Server+

More Networking Certifications

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is CompTIA Server+ worth it?
Server+ is worth it if you work with on-premises server infrastructure or data centers. It validates vendor-neutral server administration skills and meets DoD 8570 requirements. However, if your career is focused on cloud, certifications like AWS SAA or Azure Administrator may offer better ROI. Server+ is strongest for roles in government, healthcare, and enterprises that maintain physical infrastructure.
How hard is the Server+ exam?
Server+ is considered moderately easy with a 75% pass rate. It covers server hardware, storage, virtualization, and basic networking. Most candidates with 2-3 months of study and hands-on server experience pass on the first attempt. The exam includes multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
What jobs can I get with CompTIA Server+?
Server+ prepares you for roles like Server Administrator, Data Center Technician, Systems Administrator, and IT Support Specialist. Average salary is $72K, with a range of $52K-$95K depending on experience and location. It pairs well with Network+ and Security+ for broader infrastructure roles.
How long should I study for the CompTIA Server+ exam?
Most successful candidates report approximately 80 hours of study time. At 10-15 hours per week, plan for 5-10 weeks. Prior hands-on experience can reduce this. Focus on both theory and practical skills.

Explore other options in networking: AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty, Cisco CCNP Enterprise, and more in our Networking Certifications hub.

Sources for every data point

Each quantitative claim on this page is mapped to a verifiable source. Official vendor pages and government datasets are preferred; community estimates and editorial extrapolations are flagged explicitly.

Data point Source Tier Last checked
Exam duration CompTIA — official exam guide
Pattern-generated from vendor URL convention. Pending manual verification against the current exam guide PDF.
 Official verified 29d ago
Exam code CompTIA — official certification page
Pattern-generated from vendor URL convention. Pending manual verification against the current exam guide PDF.
 Official verified 29d ago
Passing score CompTIA — official exam guide
Pattern-generated from vendor URL convention. Pending manual verification against the current exam guide PDF.
 Official verified 29d ago
Exam price CompTIA — official certification page
Pattern-generated from vendor URL convention. Pending manual verification against the current exam guide PDF.
 Official verified 29d ago
Question count CompTIA — official exam guide
Pattern-generated from vendor URL convention. Pending manual verification against the current exam guide PDF.
 Official verified 29d ago
Job listings LinkedIn — active US postings mentioning "CompTIA Server+"
Count sampled quarterly; fluctuates daily.
 Aggregate verified 29d ago
Average salary Glassdoor — CompTIA Server+ role salary (US)
Aggregate from public salary postings. Cross-checked against BLS OEWS for the closest SOC category.
 Aggregate verified 29d ago
Salary range Glassdoor + Payscale — CompTIA Server+ salary distribution
10th–90th percentile derived from public salary aggregators.
 Aggregate verified 29d ago
Pass rate Community consensus — CompTIA pass-rate discussions
Most vendors do not publish pass rates. Community data is self-reported with survivor bias.
 Community verified 29d ago
Study hours Community consensus — certification subreddits and TechExams threads
Typical range for candidates with modest prior experience in the domain.
 Community verified 29d ago
Demand trend LinkedIn + Indeed — multi-quarter listing comparison
Editorial summary of YoY listing change.
 Editorial estimate verified 29d ago

Data Sources & Transparency

  • Salary data — Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and job posting aggregates (US median)
  • Job listings — LinkedIn, Indeed, and Dice active postings (sampled quarterly)
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates from Reddit, TechExams, and certification forums
  • Exam details — CompTIA official certification documentation
Last reviewed: 2025-04-10 Our Methodology Editorial Standards