The median salary for a CompTIA Security+ holder is around $88,000. That's not a starting salary—it's what people are pulling mid-career in roles that explicitly list Security+ as a requirement. For a certification you can earn in 8–12 weeks of prep, that's a return few training investments can match. But Security+ is one cert among many, and the salary jump varies dramatically depending on which CompTIA credential you hold and what role you're targeting.
This guide breaks down CompTIA salary ranges by certification tier, the roles each credential actually unlocks, and where the real earning ceiling sits once you stack credentials over time.
CompTIA Salary by Certification: The Real Numbers
CompTIA organizes its certs into three tracks—Core, Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity—plus specialty exams. Salaries correlate closely with which track you're on and how far along it you are.
CompTIA A+ — Entry Point, Not Dead End
A+ holders typically land roles like IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, or Field Service Technician. Median salary sits around $45,000–$58,000 nationally, with higher-cost markets (San Francisco, New York, DC) pushing closer to $65,000–$70,000 for the same role. The ceiling for A+-only jobs is real, but A+ is rarely a destination—it's a door opener. Most people hold it for 12–18 months before adding Network+ or pivoting into security.
CompTIA Network+ — Solid Mid-Tier Earner
Network+ targets network support roles, junior network engineers, and systems administrators. Median salary: $62,000–$78,000. The DoD 8140 framework lists Network+ as baseline for several IAT Level I and II roles, which matters if you're targeting federal contracting work—those positions often pay a 15–20% premium over equivalent private-sector jobs.
CompTIA Security+ — Best ROI in the Portfolio
Security+ is where CompTIA salary data gets genuinely interesting. The cert is required or strongly preferred for a massive slice of cybersecurity roles, particularly anything touching federal systems. Median salary for Security+-holding professionals: $82,000–$95,000. Job titles include Security Analyst, Information Security Specialist, SOC Analyst (Tier 2/3), and Systems Security Engineer.
Security+ holders in defense contracting or government work often earn $100,000–$115,000, especially with clearance. The credential's DoD 8140 IAT Level II status creates a floor of demand that keeps salaries from dropping even when tech hiring slows broadly.
CompTIA CySA+ — Analyst Track Premium
CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) targets threat detection, behavioral analytics, and SIEM work. It's harder than Security+ and shows it in the salary data: median around $90,000–$108,000. Roles include Threat Intelligence Analyst, SOC Lead, and Vulnerability Management Specialist. CySA+ holders who also hold Security+ and work in regulated industries (finance, healthcare, government) routinely clear $110,000+.
CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005) — The Ceiling
Formerly CASP+, SecurityX is the expert-level credential targeting architects and senior practitioners. It's not an entry point—most people who sit for it have 5–10 years of experience. Median salary: $112,000–$140,000. Job titles include Security Architect, Senior Security Engineer, and Principal Engineer (Security). This is where CompTIA's salary ceiling sits for those who stay in the vendor-neutral track.
CompTIA PenTest+ — Offense Pays, But Differently
PenTest+ targets penetration testers and vulnerability assessment roles. Median salary range: $92,000–$118,000. Worth noting: PenTest+ competes with OSCP for the same roles, and many employers consider OSCP more rigorous for offensive security work. PenTest+ is better positioned as a complementary credential or a stepping stone rather than a standalone differentiator in offensive security.
CompTIA Salary vs. Experience: Which Matters More?
The honest answer is both, but not equally at every stage. Early career (0–3 years), the certification does most of the filtering work—it gets your resume past ATS systems and signals baseline competency to hiring managers. Past the 5-year mark, experience and specialization matter far more than adding another cert.
The biggest salary jumps in CompTIA career paths come from:
- Pairing Security+ with a clearance — adds $15,000–$25,000 to median comp in many markets
- Moving from generalist to specialist — a Security+ holder who becomes a cloud security specialist earns 30–40% more than one who stays in general IT security
- Transitioning from salaried to contract/W2 consulting — certified contractors in cybersecurity frequently bill $75–$120/hour, which annualizes higher than most salaried roles
- Federal/defense contracting — the DoD mandate creates structural salary floors that private sector rarely matches for comparable roles
Top Courses to Prepare for CompTIA Certifications
These are the highest-rated prep courses currently available, selected based on student ratings and coverage of current exam objectives.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep 2026 – For Beginners
Covers the full SY0-701 exam domain map with a focus on practical scenarios over rote memorization—which is exactly how the Security+ exam is structured. Rated 9.5 on Udemy with strong pass-rate feedback from recent test-takers.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) 1,000+ Practice Questions 2026
If you've already covered the material and need exam conditioning, this question bank is one of the most comprehensive available. Practice volume matters for Security+—the performance-based questions catch people who only study theory.
CompTIA SecAI+ Fundamentals: AI Cybersecurity Basics CY0-001
CompTIA's newest cert targeting AI security roles—a fast-growing area where certified practitioners are scarce and compensation is notably above Security+ medians. This course introduces the CY0-001 domain map for early movers. Rated 9.6.
CompTIA SecAI+ (CY0-001) Course + EBook + Exams (ALL IN ONE)
Bundles the full prep package for SecAI+—video, written content, and practice exams in one purchase. Useful if you prefer a single resource over assembling separate materials. Also rated 9.6.
CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005) 6 Practice Exams
SecurityX is the exam that separates senior practitioners from mid-level analysts. Six full practice exams simulate the exam's scenario-heavy format. The cert it prepares for targets $112,000–$140,000 roles—the prep investment is straightforward to justify.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Full Course & Practice Exam
For those starting from zero, this full-length A+ Core 1 course covers hardware, networking, and troubleshooting fundamentals. Rated 9.4 with clear progression through the exam domains.
Which CompTIA Cert Gives the Best Salary Bump?
Measured purely by salary-per-study-hour, Security+ wins consistently. It takes most people 60–120 hours to prepare, and the median salary for roles requiring it is roughly $35,000–$45,000 higher than A+-level positions. The DoD mandate creates structural demand that insulates Security+ salary ranges from normal market fluctuation.
For those already in cybersecurity with Security+ in hand, CySA+ is the highest-leverage next step—the salary data supports a $10,000–$20,000 bump compared to Security+-only profiles, particularly in analyst and threat intel roles.
SecurityX/CASP+ has the highest absolute salary ceiling but serves a narrow audience. If you're not already working at a senior level in security, spending months on SecurityX prep is less efficient than building the experience base that makes the cert meaningful to employers.
The SecAI+ certification (CY0-001) is the highest-risk, highest-upside play right now. AI security is genuinely undersupplied, and early credential holders in new cert categories often earn premiums that erode once the market catches up. It's worth tracking closely.
CompTIA Salary FAQ
What is the average CompTIA salary?
There's no single "CompTIA salary" because the credential family spans roles from help desk ($45K) to security architect ($140K+). The most relevant benchmark is Security+, where median compensation for direct-hire roles sits around $85,000–$95,000 nationally, with federal/defense roles higher and entry markets lower.
Does CompTIA Security+ increase salary?
Yes, meaningfully so—but the mechanism matters. Security+ doesn't raise your salary at a current job automatically. It qualifies you for a different category of roles that pay more. Most Security+ holders who see salary increases get them by changing employers after certification, not by receiving raises in-place.
Is CompTIA A+ enough to get a $60,000 job?
In major metro areas, yes—IT support and help desk roles in cities like Seattle, Austin, Chicago, and DC frequently post at $55,000–$70,000 for A+ holders. In smaller markets or rural areas, $45,000–$52,000 is more typical. A+ alone won't get you above $75,000 without additional credentials or specialization.
How long does it take to get a CompTIA certification?
A+ requires passing two exams; most people prep for 6–10 weeks studying part-time. Network+ and Security+ typically take 8–12 weeks of part-time study. CySA+ is 3–4 months for most candidates. SecurityX is 4–6 months minimum and assumes several years of hands-on experience as a foundation.
Do CompTIA certifications expire?
Yes. All CompTIA certifications are valid for three years. Renewal requires either retaking the exam, passing a higher-level exam, or earning Continuing Education (CE) credits. Security+ can be renewed by passing CySA+, which effectively kills two birds with one stone for salary progression purposes.
Is CompTIA worth it compared to vendor certs like AWS or Cisco?
They solve different problems. CompTIA certs are vendor-neutral baseline qualifications—they're what gets you through the ATS filter and into the interview. AWS, Cisco (CCNA/CCNP), and Microsoft Azure certs are role-specific and often matter more for mid-career salary jumps in their respective domains. Many practitioners hold both: CompTIA for compliance/baseline requirements, vendor certs for specialized earning power.
Bottom Line
CompTIA salary potential scales directly with which track you're on and how far you've progressed. The jump from A+ to Security+ is the single best investment in the portfolio—roughly $35,000–$45,000 in median salary difference, achievable in 3–4 months of focused prep. Beyond Security+, CySA+ is the clearest next lever for analysts; SecurityX for those targeting architect-level roles.
The new SecAI+ cert is worth watching—AI security roles are paying premiums right now and certified practitioners are scarce. Getting in early on an emerging CompTIA track has historically paid off for those who time it right.
If you're deciding where to start, lead with Security+ unless you genuinely have zero IT background (in which case A+ first). The DoD mandate alone creates enough structural demand that Security+ will remain a high-value credential regardless of how the broader tech hiring market moves.