Google IT Support Professional Certificate
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate teaches beginners core IT support skills and prepares them for entry‑level helpdesk roles.
- Exam fee
- $49/mo
- Typical salary
- $55K–$75K
The certificate is a solid, low‑cost pathway for beginners who want concrete, hands‑on IT support skills and a portfolio to show employers. If you already have substantial IT experience, a more advanced or specialized certification may be a better fit.
What Google IT Support Professional Certificate covers
Google's flagship IT support certificate on Coursera. The most recognized employer-backed credential for IT beginners. Covers technical support, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security fundamentals.
Key topics covered: Technical support fundamentals, Networking essentials, Operating systems (Linux & Windows), System administration, IT security basics, IT automation with Python.
Best suited for: Complete beginners and career changers seeking entry-level IT support, helpdesk, or system admin roles.
Common career paths: IT Support Specialist, Helpdesk Technician, System Administrator, Junior Network Administrator.
Google IT Support Professional Certificate exam details
Exam domains
- Technical support fundamentals
- Networking essentials
- Operating systems (Linux & Windows)
- System administration
- IT security basics
- IT automation with Python
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $49/mo
How to prepare for Google IT Support Professional Certificate
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the Certificate Overview Familiarize yourself with the Google IT Support curriculum and the skills it targets, such as technical support fundamentals and networking basics. | Week 1 |
| 2 | Learn Core Technical Concepts Study the foundational topics—technical support, operating systems, networking, and security basics—through the video lessons and reading material. | Weeks 2‑4 |
| 3 | Hands‑On Labs and Projects Complete the practical labs and the capstone project to apply system administration and IT automation with Python in real‑world scenarios. | Weeks 5‑7 |
| 4 | Review and Self‑Assessment Use the self‑check quizzes and any practice assessments to gauge readiness and identify any gaps before moving to job‑search activities. | Week 8 |
| 5 | Portfolio Building & Job Search Assemble a portfolio of completed labs and projects, then leverage Google AI Pro tools to craft resumes, practice interviews, and apply for entry‑level IT support roles. | Weeks 9‑10 |
Jobs and salary with Google IT Support Professional Certificate
People holding this certification commonly report pay around $55K–$75K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.
Roles this certification supports
Google IT Support Professional Certificate questions answered
What is the Google IT Support Professional Certificate certification?
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate teaches beginners core IT support skills and prepares them for entry‑level helpdesk roles. It is issued by Google and sits in the IT Fundamentals field.
Is Google IT Support Professional Certificate hard?
Google IT Support Professional Certificate is rated Beginner. Most candidates can prepare without prior professional experience in the field.
How much does the Google IT Support Professional Certificate exam cost?
The listed exam fee is $49/mo. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with Google before you book.
What salary can I expect with Google IT Support Professional Certificate?
Professionals with Google IT Support Professional Certificate commonly report pay in the $55K–$75K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.
How should I prepare for Google IT Support Professional Certificate?
Start with the official exam outline, build hands-on practice for each domain, then finish with timed practice questions. The study plan on this page breaks this into steps.
Alternatives to Google IT Support Professional Certificate
| Certification | Vendor | Level |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | CompTIA | Beginner |
| ITIL 4 Foundation | — | Beginner |
| Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) | Microsoft | Beginner |
| RHCSA - Red Hat Certified System Administrator | Red Hat | Beginner |
| LPIC-1 Linux Administrator | Linux Professional Institute | Beginner |