From $22/Hour to $110K in 2 Years: The A+ Certification Success Story That’s Inspiring Thousands

Can you really build a six-figure IT career with just an A+ certification? One professional’s remarkable journey from unemployment to $110,000 annually in just two years proves it’s possible—but not in the way most people expect.

This success story challenges conventional wisdom about degrees versus certifications and reveals the specific strategies that made this dramatic career transformation possible.

The Viral Reddit Success Story

A Reddit user recently shared an inspiring update in the ITCareerQuestions subreddit about their remarkable career transformation. This success story has resonated with thousands of IT professionals and career changers. Here’s their complete journey:

“Well, here we are again. Time for another update that honestly feels surreal to type out.

Two years ago - Laid off from finance, started studying A+

23 months ago - Service desk at $22/hr, feeling like I was drowning half the time

1 year ago - Systems Administrator role, finally felt like I was getting somewhere

This week - Accepted a Systems Engineer position at $110k

I keep having to remind myself this is actually happening. Two years from unemployed to six figures feels like someone else’s story, but here we are.

The sysadmin role taught me more than I ever imagined possible. Managing 17+ remote sites as the sole systems guy will do that to you. It’s sink or swim, and somehow I kept my head above water. VMware, Veeam, Zabbix monitoring, the whole nine yards. Every day was a lesson in ‘figure it out or everything breaks.’

The imposter syndrome is still there, don’t get me wrong. Now I’m wondering if I can handle being a Systems Engineer, if I really know enough about enterprise architecture, if they’ll figure out I’m just winging half of this. But that feeling’s becoming familiar territory. It was there on the service desk, it was there as a sysadmin, and I’m betting it’ll be there in the new role too.

Still just the A+ to my name. Still no degree. Still that same guy who was cramming Professor Messer videos two years ago wondering if any of this would actually work out.”

Breaking Down the Career Progression

The Foundation: A+ Certification Only

What makes this story particularly compelling is that it began with just the CompTIA A+ certification—the foundational entry-level IT credential that covers hardware, software, networking, and security fundamentals.

The A+ certification consists of two exams (Core 1: 220-1101 and Core 2: 220-1102) and validates skills in:

Hardware troubleshooting and configuration
Operating systems and software installation
Network connectivity and security
Mobile devices and cloud computing basics

According to CompTIA’s research data, A+ certified professionals typically earn between $35,000-$50,000 annually in entry-level positions, making this individual’s $22/hour ($45,760 annually) starting position fairly typical for the market.

Year 1: Service Desk Foundation ($22/Hour)

The journey began at a service desk position earning $22 per hour. This aligns with current industry data from PayScale, which shows help desk technicians earning an average of $20.14 per hour, with a range from $15.12 to $26.87 per hour nationally. The poster admitted to “feeling like I was drowning half the time”—a common experience for new IT professionals dealing with the steep learning curve.

Year 2: Systems Administrator Breakthrough

The transition from service desk to systems administrator represents a significant career leap. According to current market data, network and computer systems administrators typically earn between $65,000-$95,000 annually, with experienced professionals in high-demand markets earning significantly more.

Year 3: Systems Engineer at $110K

The final progression to Systems Engineer at $110,000 annually places this individual in a strong position within the market. Current industry data shows Systems Engineers typically earning between $90,000-$130,000 annually depending on location, company size, and specialization, making this salary competitive for the role.

Key Success Factors: What Made This Transformation Possible

1. Embracing High-Pressure Learning Environments

The poster mentions managing “17+ remote sites as the sole systems guy” in their sysadmin role. This sink-or-swim environment accelerated their learning exponentially. They gained hands-on experience with:

VMware virtualization
Veeam backup solutions
Zabbix monitoring systems
Multi-site infrastructure management

2. Taking on Challenging Projects

A crucial quote from the post: “Say yes to the stuff that scares you. Take on the projects nobody else wants. Learn the systems that make everyone else’s eyes glaze over.” This approach to professional development is widely supported by career development research, which consistently shows that employees who take on challenging assignments and stretch projects advance faster in their careers than those who stay in their comfort zones.

3. Continuous Self-Directed Learning

Despite having only an A+ certification, the individual continuously expanded their skill set through practical experience and self-study. This approach aligns with industry trends showing that the majority of IT professionals develop their most valuable skills through hands-on experience and continuous learning rather than formal education alone.

4. Persistence Through Imposter Syndrome

The honest admission about ongoing imposter syndrome resonates with many IT professionals. Studies consistently show that approximately 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers, with the phenomenon being particularly common in technical fields where rapid technology changes can make even experienced professionals feel behind. The key is learning to work through these feelings rather than letting them paralyze career growth.

Setting Realistic Expectations: Is This Typical?

The Reality Check

As the top comment on the Reddit post wisely noted: “*Disclaimer: Results are not typical. Do not study IT if you’re allergic to IT.” This success story, while inspiring, represents an exceptional outcome rather than the norm.

According to current market data, the typical career progression for A+ certified professionals follows a more gradual path:

Traditional Timeline:

Years 0-2: Help Desk Technician ($35,000-$48,000)
Years 2-4: Desktop Support/Junior Sysadmin ($45,000-$62,000)
Years 4-7: Systems Administrator ($60,000-$85,000)
Years 7+: Senior Systems Administrator/Engineer ($80,000-$120,000)

Accelerated Path (Like This Success Story):

Year 1: Service Desk + aggressive skill building
Year 2: Systems Administrator through high-impact projects
Year 3: Systems Engineer by leveraging specialized experience

Factors That Accelerated This Success

Several factors likely contributed to this accelerated timeline:

Prior professional experience in finance provided transferable business acumen
Geographic location (salary ranges vary significantly by region)
Company size and type (growing companies often offer faster advancement)
Individual aptitude and work ethic
Market timing (strong demand for IT professionals post-pandemic)

Actionable Strategies for Similar Success

For Current Students and Career Changers

Start with A+ but don’t stop there: While this individual succeeded with only A+, continue building your knowledge base through hands-on experience and additional learning.
Target smaller companies initially: Smaller organizations often provide broader experience and faster advancement opportunities than large enterprises.
Volunteer for difficult projects: As the poster advises, “take on the projects nobody else wants.”
Build practical skills: Focus on in-demand technologies like virtualization (VMware), backup solutions (Veeam), and monitoring tools (Zabbix, Nagios).

For Current Help Desk Professionals

Document everything you learn: Build a portfolio of your growing expertise.
Network within your organization: Make yourself known to systems administrators and engineers.
Seek mentorship: Find experienced professionals willing to guide your development.
Consider job rotations: If available, rotate through different IT teams to gain broader experience.

The Broader IT Job Market Context

Strong Demand Continues

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects computer and information technology occupations to grow significantly faster than average through 2030, with many specializations seeing double-digit growth rates. This strong demand creates opportunities for rapid advancement for skilled professionals willing to adapt to emerging technologies.

Skills Gap Reality

Industry reports consistently show millions of unfilled cybersecurity and IT positions across the United States, creating a significant skills gap. This shortage means qualified professionals can command higher salaries and advance more quickly than in saturated fields, particularly those with hands-on experience in high-demand technologies.

Addressing Common Concerns

”But I Don’t Have a Degree”

This success story joins a growing number of IT professionals succeeding without traditional four-year degrees. Stack Overflow’s 2024 Developer Survey reveals that while 66% of developers have bachelor’s or master’s degrees, only 49% learned to code at school, indicating that many professionals enter the field through alternative paths including certifications, bootcamps, and self-directed learning.

”The Market Has Changed”

While the tech job market has seen some fluctuation since 2022, industry data continues to show strong demand for experienced systems administrators and engineers. Technology professional salaries remain competitive, with many specializations commanding six-figure salaries in major markets.

Key Takeaways and Action Steps

The Three-Phase Approach

Based on this success story, here’s a framework for similar career progression:

Phase 1: Foundation Building (Months 0-12)

Obtain A+ certification
Secure help desk or service desk position
Focus on learning fundamentals and building soft skills
Document everything you learn

Phase 2: Skill Specialization (Year 2)

Volunteer for complex projects
Develop expertise in specific technologies (virtualization, backup, monitoring)
Seek systems administrator opportunities
Continue self-directed learning

Phase 3: Advanced Positioning (Year 3+)

Leverage specialized experience for senior roles
Network within the industry
Consider additional certifications based on career goals
Mentor others following similar paths

The Success Mindset That Made the Difference

Four mental shifts separated this professional from others stuck in entry-level positions:

Embrace discomfort as growth: “Say yes to the stuff that scares you”
Turn every problem into education: Every challenge became a skill-building opportunity
Normalize imposter syndrome: Accept it as part of rapid advancement, not a reason to avoid opportunities
Persistence over perfection: “Keep going” even when feeling unprepared

Conclusion: Your Journey Starts Today

This remarkable transformation from unemployed to $110,000 Systems Engineer in just two years demonstrates that accelerated IT career advancement is possible—but it requires more than just certification.

Key Success Factors:

Strategic risk-taking: Accepting challenging projects that build valuable skills
Continuous learning: Turning every problem into a skill-building opportunity
Market positioning: Leveraging unique experience for rapid advancement
Persistence through uncertainty: Working through imposter syndrome and fear

While results like these aren’t typical, the underlying principles are replicable. The IT industry’s continued growth and skills shortage create real opportunities for motivated professionals willing to embrace discomfort and continuous learning.

Ready to Start Your IT Career Transformation?

Whether you’re studying for your A+ certification or feeling stuck in a help desk role, remember that this success story began with someone “cramming Professor Messer videos” wondering if any of it would work out.

The difference between staying stuck and achieving breakthrough results often comes down to one decision: saying yes to the opportunities that scare you most.

Your transformation story could be next—but it won’t write itself.

Sources and References

CompTIA Research and Industry Analysis - comptia.org
PayScale Help Desk Technician Salary Data - payscale.com
Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024 - survey.stackoverflow.co
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Computer and Information Technology Occupations
Industry salary and career progression data compiled from multiple sources including PayScale, Glassdoor, and industry surveys
Career development research from academic and professional sources
IT workforce reports and skills gap analysis from industry organizations