Microsoft Power BI (PL-300) vs CompTIA Data+

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

Microsoft Power BI PL-300 vs CompTIA Data+: a tool-specific visualization certification versus a vendor-neutral data analytics foundation. PL-300 validates deep Power BI expertise for building reports and data models, while Data+ proves broad data literacy across concepts, governance, and analysis.

$95K
Microsoft Power BI (PL-300)
$72K
CompTIA Data+

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Microsoft Power BI (PL-300)CompTIA Data+
Provider MicrosoftCompTIA
Level AssociateEntry
Exam Cost $165 ✓$358
Avg Salary $95,000 ✓$72,000
Pass Rate 65%78% ✓
Study Hours 120h80h ✓
Difficulty 6/104/10 ✓
Job Listings 28.0K ✓15.0K

For a deeper look at each certification, read our full Microsoft Power BI (PL-300) guide and CompTIA Data+ guide. Also compare: CompTIA Data+ vs AWS Cloud Practitioner, CompTIA Data+ vs Google Data Analytics Certificate.

Our Verdict

Power BI PL-300 is the stronger career investment by a wide margin: roughly 1.9x more active job listings in the data set (28K vs 15K), a $23K higher average salary ($95K vs $72K), and a lower exam fee ($165 vs $358) for immediately applicable, tool-specific skills that employers actively hire for. Data+ remains valuable as a vendor-neutral foundation — especially for government roles requiring DoD 8570/8140 compliance — but it validates conceptual knowledge rather than production-ready ability. For maximum ROI, start with PL-300; add Data+ later if you want breadth across tooling and governance.

Choose Microsoft Power BI (PL-300) if you...

  • Want higher earning potential ($95K vs $72K avg)
  • Want a lower exam cost ($165 vs $358)
  • Want broader job market demand (28.0K listings)
  • Focus on Microsoft ecosystem and associate-level roles
Read full Microsoft Power BI (PL-300) guide →

Choose CompTIA Data+ if you...

  • Prefer a more accessible exam (78% pass rate)
  • Prefer a less challenging exam path (4/10 difficulty)
  • Have limited study time (~80h vs ~120h)
  • Focus on CompTIA ecosystem and entry-level roles
Read full CompTIA Data+ guide →

Can You Get Both?

Yes — and many professionals do. Since both Microsoft Power BI (PL-300) and CompTIA Data+ are in the data-analytics space, they complement each other well. Start with the Microsoft Power BI (PL-300) (lower barrier to entry) and add the other after 1-2 years of hands-on experience.

Combined study commitment: approximately 200h and $523 in exam fees.

These certs feature in career paths like Business Intelligence Analyst and Data Analyst.

Deep Dive Into Each Certification

Microsoft Power BI (PL-300)

Microsoft · Associate · $95K avg

CompTIA Data+

CompTIA · Entry · $72K avg

Explore more: Data & Analytics Certifications · All comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get Data+ before Power BI PL-300?
Not necessarily. If you already know you will work with Power BI, go directly to PL-300 — it has better job market returns and teaches practical skills. Data+ can be a useful first step if you are completely new to data concepts and want a broad foundation before specializing. Some professionals earn both: Data+ for conceptual credibility and PL-300 for tool-specific expertise.
Is Power BI PL-300 harder than Data+?
Yes. PL-300 has a lower pass rate (65% vs 75%), higher difficulty (6/10 vs 4/10), and requires more study time (100 vs 80 hours). PL-300 tests practical skills like writing DAX formulas, building data models, configuring row-level security, and deploying reports — topics that require hands-on experience with the tool. Data+ is conceptual and does not require mastery of any specific tool.
Can I get both Microsoft Power BI (PL-300) and CompTIA Data+?
Yes, many professionals pursue both certifications as they complement each other. Consider starting with the one that best aligns with your immediate career goals, then adding the other to broaden your expertise. Having both can significantly strengthen your resume.

Related Career Paths

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business intelligence analysts turn raw data into actionable business insights that drive strategic ...

$60K – $120K

Data Analyst

Data analysts transform raw data into actionable insights that drive business decisions. With organi...

$55K – $120K

Data Engineer

Data engineers design, build, and maintain the infrastructure and pipelines that move and transform ...

$80K – $165K

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
Last reviewed: 2025-04-10 Our Methodology Editorial Standards