Obtaining CompTIA’s Security+ opens new career pathways for entry-level and seasoned cyber security professionals alike. Acquiring this sought-after CompTIA certification might just put you on pace for a pay bump or set you up for a high-paying cyber security job roles with a bright career progression pathway.
To help you understand what your future might look like, we’ll detail the CompTIA Security+ certification salary expectations and job titles you should have after having passed Security+.
We will also take a closer look at the exam itself, positions that are asking for Security+, and your career trajectory after having obtained CompTIA’s Security+.
Table Of Contents
- Overview of the CompTIA Security+ Certification
- What Does CompTIA Security+ Certification Prepare You For?
- CompTIA Security+ Certification Salary and Job Opportunities
- Career Progression
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overview of the CompTIA Security+ Certification
CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level cyber security certification covering a broad range of cyber security topics and skills.
The exam consists of a maximum of 90 questions to be answered within 90 minutes. Questions may be multiple-choice or performance-based. To pass, you’ll need a score of 750 out of a possible 900.
While CompTIA recommends test takers have at least two years of prior experience before taking the test, there are no hard prerequisites to taking the exam. Even those without professional IT job experience can still pass this exam so long as they diligently study effective test preparation material.
The new Security+ exam (version SY0-701) covers the following knowledge domains:
- General Security
- Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations
- Security Architecture
- Security Operations
- Security Program Management and Oversight
What Does CompTIA Security+ Certification Prepare You For?
Obtaining CompTIA Security+ can open up the door to a number of jobs within the cyber security field. To have a better understanding of what job title may be available to you after passing this exam, let’s discuss six positions you may want to consider applying for after receiving the Security+ certification.
Help Desk Analyst
The quintessential IT entry-level position, a Help Desk Analyst is tasked with helping their company’s customers with IT support. Help Desk Analysts should be able to assist with issues regarding computer hardware, applications, networks, and operation systems.
Systems Engineer
A Systems Engineer is looked to when designing, implementing, and maintaining IT systems. Day-to-day Systems Engineer tasks may include troubleshooting issues with a company’s network or systems, automating tasks for production environments, installing hardware and software, upgrading systems, conducting version control, and more.
Security Analyst
Security Analysts are responsible for protecting a company’s digital assets. They are often the first line of security. They may conduct threat intelligence, monitor machines with SIEMs, update systems, perform backups, analyze security breaches, and respond to attacks.
Security Analysts may wear many hats and be asked to use various tools to ensure their company is protected.
Network Administrator
A Network Administrator oversees an organization’s computer systems and database networks. They are responsible for maintaining networks and hardening their security. They do so in part by identifying and addressing network and computer needs with the appropriate hardware and software.
Other responsibilities include updating virus protection software, monitoring the network in order to improve performance, and remedying software and hardware configuration issues.
Cloud Configuration Management Specialist
As the cloud becomes more and more ubiquitous, companies are in need of cloud specialists. The Cloud Configuration Management Specialist configures and implements cloud management processes and procedures. They are tasked with optimizing their company’s cloud processes.
IT/Cyber Security Instructor
With more and more schools, both at the lower and higher education levels, emphasizing IT, there are more opportunities than ever to teach IT and cyber security. Bootcamps are also on the lookout for instructors to help those wanting to pivot into the field of technology.
CompTIA Security+ Certification Salary and Job Opportunities
Your CompTIA Security+ certification salary expectation should vary and will greatly depend on your prior experience, the position you’re applying for.
The average yearly salary of a CompTIA Secutity+ holder is $57,000. However, as you will see, Security+ holders are able to increase their average salaries should they have accompanying certifications and work experience.
There are a wealth of positions and salaries available to those with CompTIA Security+ under their belt.
An Indeed search with the keyword CompTIA Security+ returned 7,479 jobs.
A LinkedIn search using the keyword CompTIA Security+ found 5,310 open positions.
It’s evident that many employers are seeking applicants with CompTIA Security+ to their name.
But what are these open positions, and what salaries are they offering?
Help Desk Analyst
A Help Desk role is an entry-level IT role.
On average, you can expect to make $24/hr in this role. Salaried, this translated to about $49,000 a year.
Help Desk positions can be both onsite or remote roles.
Employers may ask applicants to have Security+ in addition to hands-on experience.
Junior Systems Engineer
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Junior Systems Engineer is $102k a year. The salary range for this role is $82k-128k.
While employers want new hires to have Security+, they’re also looking for candidates who have around five years of experience on the job.
In addition to CompTIA Security+, recruiters may ask for experience with Linux, PowerShell scripts, secret clearance, and other applicable hands-on experience.
Security Analyst
The average salary for a Security Analyst is $91,000. However, the salary can vary greatly depending on one’s abilities. The lower end of the salary spectrum is $58,000 a year, while salaries can go as high as $144,000 a year.
The more education you have and familiarity with en-vogue tools and skills the more likely you are to receive a salary on the higher end of the spectrum. To earn a salary of more than $70,000, expect to bring at least two years of experience to the table.
Systems Administrator
The average salary for a Systems Administrator is $82,000.
When applying for Systems Administrator positions, expect the salary to range between $53,000 and $128,000.
In addition to CompTIA Security+, certifications recruiters want to see from applicants may include CompTIA Server+, Network+, and A+. They will also want applicants to have a few years of relevant job experience.
Database Administrator
The average salary for a Database Administrator is $95,000.
The salary range for this role is between $65,000 and $139,000.
Database Administrator is a highly technical role. Without knowledge of technical tools, applicable job experience, and other complementary certifications, expect a starting salary of closer to $65k.
Along with having CompTIA Security+, employers look for applicants who have the following skills:
- SQL
- UNIX
- Linux
- Data Analytics
- DevOps
- Scripting Tools
IT/Cyber Security Instructor
The average salary for an IT/Cyber Security Instructor is $84,000.
The salaries range between $65,000 and $108,000.
The salary range depends greatly on your employer. Everyone from public high schools, to high education universities to boot camps are hiring instructors.
Positions are onsite for brick-and-mortar schools but mostly online for bootcamp instructors. Positions can also be found for full-time and part-time roles.
Career Progression
As you can see from the roadmap below, CompTIA Security+ falls under the third stage of the cyber security roadmap. Tier one and two demonstrate a basic understanding of technical knowledge and enterprise networking. Tier three means you’re able to think like an information security specialist and protect enterprise networks.
Security+ is an entry-level certification. From here you can choose various career paths and specializations that suit your professional goals.
Here are a few career pathways you may want to consider for the future.
Security Engineer
Security Engineers are security playmakers. They make the important security decisions like how to go about securing networks and systems. They engineer and develop security solutions, create standards, implement security measures, and test for vulnerabilities.What job title stands out to you?
The average salary for a Security Engineer is $76,000.
Chief Information Officer
A Chief Information Officer (CIO) is an executive IT position responsible for significant IT and security decisions. They manage security and IT teams and have the ultimate say on company-wide security and IT policies.
Becoming a CIO will take time and experience. These certifications will help propel your career forward:
- CISM
- CISSP
- CISA
The average salary for a CIO is $108,000.
Senior Security Consultant
Consultants have dirtied their hands in prior security positions and are now ready to consult companies on how best to secure their systems, advise on topics like risk management, and more.
They advise security teams and the security administrator on the best solutions to implement to address security weaknesses.
Certifications that will help you obtain this position include:
- CISM
- CISSP
The average salary for this position is $108,000.
Cloud Consultant
While a Security Consultant may advise on all security-related needs, a Cloud Consultant specializes in securing assets as they relate to the cloud.
They may be asked to decide which cloud solutions best address a client’s needs, manage cloud storage, design a custom cloud solution, and more.
If Cloud Consultant is the route you want to go in considerin obtaining certifications such as:
- CCSP
- Cloud+
- Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
The average salary for this position is $110,000.
Penetration Tester
A Penetration Tester (also known as an ethical hacker) hacks into a company’s network or machines in an attempt to find vulnerabilities. This is a technical-based role that requires an in-depth understanding of programming languages such as Python, an intimate understanding of how computer networks work, vulnerability scanning techniques, and more.
A Pentester will help a client identify weaknesses in their security that they can later remediate. If you’re interested in becoming a Penetration Tester, consider obtaining the OSCP certification.
The average salary for a Penetration Test is $123,000.
Conclusion
The CompTIA Security+ Certification Salary can range from a $49k/year Help Desk salary to a $138k/year Systems Engineer salary.
There are a myriad of positions asking applicants for Security+. It can be particularly useful to those seeking government positions, as it meets some DoD 8570 requirements. Each position is unique in its focus, skills required to perform the position, and salary.
Obtaining Security+ can broaden your career prospects and put you on a pathway toward long-term success in the field of cyber security.
As we have seen from the job roles covered in this article, there are multitudes of career options open to those with Security+ on their resume. To equip you with the skills you need to secure your desired position and help you figure out your career trajectory, we’ve created the Accelerator Program.
The Accelerator Program has over 1,000 courses and labs, offers 1-on-1 career mentorship, access to a community that will hold you accountable, and a weekly opportunity to meet with like-minded cyber security professionals.
To help you get certified for CompTIA Security+ on your first try, we recommend taking the following courses and practice tests.
CompTIA Security+ Certification (SY0-601): The Total Course
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CompTIA Security+ Cert. (SY0-601): Practice Tests
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CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601) Practice Tests
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does CompTIA Security+ expire?
Yes, CompTIA Security+ expires every three years. There are various renewal options, including taking more advanced tests and accruing continuing education units (CEUs).
Is CompTIA Security+ worth it?
As we have seen CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level cyber security certification that many companies want their applicants to have.
How much does Security+ cost?
Security+ costs $392. If you fail, you must pay the same amount to retake the exam.
What percentage is needed to pass CompTIA Security+?
You’ll need a score of 750/900 to pass. That is a passing percentage of 83%.
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Spencer Abel Spencer is part cyber security professional and part content writer. He specializes in helping those attempting to pivot into the vast and always-changing world of cyber security by making complex topics fun and palatable. Connect with him over at LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with his latest content.
