A+ Certified Configuration Associates: Duties & Salary

by Barbara Bellesi

Who needs the Geek Squad when you can become an A+ Certified Configuration Associate? If you know your RAM from your ROM and understand that docking isn't just for boats, then consider working towards A+ certification and get high marks in your new computer career.

What does an A+ certified configuration associate do?
A person who has achieved A+ certification has the unique ability to take apart a computer and put it all back together again. That's because an A+ certified configuration associate needs to be able to identify every single part of a computer's structure, from the CPU to the hard drive.

Another name for A+ certified configuration associate could very well be a Microsoft Genius. That's because most of the certification test deals with the Microsoft operating system, though newer tests do feature questions about Mac operating systems and Unix-like systems. When it comes down to it, an individual who is A+ certified will know his or her way around a variety of different computer and operating systems-which is great news for employers who need to have computers up and running each and every day for their businesses to operate.

How much does an A+ Certified Configuration Associate get paid and what kinds of A+ Certified Configuration Associate jobs can I get?
While certification is not a guarantee for employment, it is certainly a terrific way to showcase your skills to a potential employer. Employers feel more confident in hiring A+ certified applicants because their skills have already been confirmed by industry standards. Many computer hardware engineers get their A+ certification as a way not only to break into the industry, but to show employers that they are committed to sustaining a long-term career in computers.

Salaries are determined by a variety of factors, particularly by how many years of experience one has with working in the computer industry. In a 2008 survey conducted by Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine, respondents reported an average base salary of $78,087. Between an annual raise and a bonus, this salary was further increased by an average of $10,000. Respondents had, on average, 13.7 years of experience in the computer industry and were an average 42.7 years old. Of course, salaries are also dependent on whether one works in the for-profit or non-profit world; non-profits tend to be reliant on available budgets, and therefore raises and bonuses are not as prevalent as they are in the for-profit sector.

Although some employers will favor work experience over certification, getting an A+ certification is a terrific way to prove that your skills are up to the industry's standards. By enrolling in an A+ certification program, available online or at a brick-and-mortar school, you will be well on your way to starting a career in a strong industry.