As organizations worldwide face increasing digital transformation pressures, the demand for CompTIA A+ certified professionals continues to climb. At the same time, Northern Virginia—particularly Loudoun and Prince William counties—is experiencing a data center construction boom that’s reshaping the regional job market.
A+ Certification: Launchpad for IT Support Careers
CompTIA’s Tech Jobs Report and related industry data show that IT hiring in Virginia remains robust. In 2022, Virginia added nearly 4,900 new IT jobs (a 1.4% increase), and projections for 2023 suggested another 7,500 new IT roles—reflecting sustained local demand for foundational IT skills (wtop.com). Notably, many employers prefer candidates who already hold CompTIA A+ certification, since it demonstrates verified hands-on proficiency in essential support skills.
A national overview of tech job trends indicates that a growing percentage of postings—86% of Network Support Specialist roles and 71% of IT Support Specialist roles—do not require a four-year degree, making certifications like A+ even more valuable (comptia.org).
If you are interested in pursuing A+ and want structured, career-focused instruction, check out our CompTIA A+ IT Support Specialist training program.
Northern Virginia: The World’s Leading Data Center Market
Northern Virginia has become the globe’s largest and fastest-growing data center hub. Between 2015 and 2023, the colocation data center market in the region grew nearly 500%, with key metro areas like Ashburn—nicknamed “Data Center Alley”—driving most of that growth (nvtc.org). Broader data shows that Northern Virginia alone accounts for roughly 20% of the world’s hyperscale data center capacity, alongside Beijing (datacenterknowledge.com).
Further underscoring regional dominance, Northern Virginia and Dallas accounted for 50% of U.S. data center absorption in the first half of 2025, with 647 MW absorbed in Northern Virginia alone. Leading forecasters also expect that by 2030, North America’s data center market could reach $1 trillion in value, with Northern Virginia planning a massive 5.9 GW of new capacity (techradar.com).
Economic Impact & Job Creation from Data Center Growth
The expansion of the sector extends beyond IT support roles. Data centers are major economic catalysts: Virginia’s industry supports approximately 78,140 jobs—a combination of 12,140 operational jobs and 14,240 construction jobs—and generates $31.4 billion in economic output (nvtc.org). Even in quieter phases, the construction of a single data center can engage up to 1,500 construction workers.
Intersection: CompTIA A+ Skills and Data Center Demand
The convergence of these two trends—data center growth and foundational IT hiring—means that CompTIA A+ graduates are exceptionally well-positioned. Many A+ skills align well with real-world data center operations: hardware troubleshooting, network and OS fundamentals, and diagnostic procedures.
Additionally, employers in data center environments—whether in operations, help desk, or field support—often value hands-on certification as proof of readiness. In practical terms, this uptick in infrastructure means A+ certified technicians have increased visibility and opportunity in the regional job market.
Final Thought
For students and professionals eyeing IT careers in Northern Virginia, earning CompTIA A+ certification in 2025 is a smart move. Backed by booming data center activity and strong hiring demand, it’s a credential that opens doors to careers in technical support and beyond. Start your training today with our CompTIA A+ IT Support Specialist program and be ready to take advantage of the opportunities this growing industry offers.
