Pawel Sloboda

Posted on Mar 16 • Originally published at secuspark.com

Is CompTIA Security+ Worth It in 2026? Salary Data Says $97K Average

#cybersecurity #career #certification #comptia

Originally published on SecuSpark

TL;DR

Yes, for most people. Security+ holders earn $15-20K more per year. Total cost is under $700. First-year ROI is ~2,900%. There are 63,620+ job postings requiring it. It pays for itself in about 12 working days. The only people who should skip it: those who already hold CISSP/CISM, have 5+ years of security experience, or don't want a cybersecurity career.

For most people entering cybersecurity: yes. Security+ holders earn $15-20K more per year on average. The total investment is under $700 (exam fee + study materials), and 63,620+ job postings list it as a requirement or preference. First-year ROI is roughly 2,900%. It also qualifies you for DoD 8570/8140 government and contractor positions. But it is not the right move for everyone. If you already hold CISSP or have 5+ years of hands-on security experience, the credential adds less value.

Worth It For:

Career changers into cybersecurity — fastest credible signal to employers that you are serious

DoD / government contractor path — required for IAT Level II positions, no substitute

IT professionals adding security skills — $15-20K salary bump with 4-12 weeks of study

College students wanting a resume edge — a cert stands out more than another course grade

Skip It (or Delay It) If:

You already hold CISSP or CISM — Security+ adds nothing to your resume at that level

You have 5+ years of hands-on security experience — your work history already proves what the cert would prove

You have zero IT foundations — consider A+ or Network+ first so you do not burn $425 on a failed attempt

You want a development or data science career — Security+ is irrelevant to those hiring pipelines

Factor	Without Security+	With Security+
Average Salary (U.S.)	$55,000 - $70,000	$70,000 - $90,000
Annual Salary Premium	—	+$15,000 - $20,000
Total Investment	$0	$425 - $700
Time to Employment	Varies (degree: 4 years)	4 - 12 weeks of study
Job Postings (12 months)	General IT roles	63,620+ Security+ listings
Government/DoD Eligibility	Not eligible for IAT Level II	DoD 8570/8140 approved
First-Year ROI	—	~2,900% ($15k return on $500)
5-Year Earnings Boost	—	$75,000+ additional earnings

What Exactly Is CompTIA Security+?

CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is a globally recognized, vendor-neutral certification that validates foundational cybersecurity skills. It is the "gold standard" entry-level security certification because:

DoD 8570/8140 Compliance: Required for many U.S. Department of Defense and government contractor positions
Industry Recognition: Accepted by employers worldwide as proof of baseline security competency
Vendor Neutrality: Skills apply across all platforms, not just one vendor's products
Career Foundation: Stepping stone to CySA+, PenTest+, and CISSP

The exam covers five domains: General Security Concepts (12%), Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations (22%), Security Architecture (18%), Security Operations (28%), and Security Program Management & Oversight (20%).

How Much Does Security+ Actually Cost?

$425-$700 for most candidates. Here is the full breakdown:

Direct Costs

Exam Voucher: $425 (standard CompTIA pricing in 2026)
Study Materials: $0-$200 (free resources available, premium books/courses extra)
Practice Exams: $0-$100 (SecuSpark offers free practice with premium options)
Retake Insurance (Optional): ~$100 (if purchased with voucher bundle)

Total Investment Range

Budget Path: $425-$500 (exam + free/low-cost study materials)
Standard Path: $500-$700 (exam + quality study guides + practice tests)
Premium Path: $700-$2,500 (bootcamps, instructor-led training, comprehensive packages)

How Long Does It Take to Study?

With IT background: 40-80 hours (4-8 weeks at 10 hours/week)
Without IT background: 80-150 hours (8-15 weeks at 10 hours/week)

Is Security+ Cheaper Than College?

Yes, dramatically. A single cybersecurity college course costs 3-10x more with less industry recognition:

Option	Cost	Time	Credential
Security+ Certification	$425-$700	4-12 weeks	Industry-recognized cert
Single College Course	$1,500-$4,000	16 weeks	3 credits
Community College (per credit)	$150-$400/credit	Varies	Credits toward degree
Cybersecurity Bootcamp	$10,000-$20,000	12-24 weeks	Certificate of completion

What Jobs Can You Get With Security+?

Security+ unlocks roles that would otherwise require years of experience or a relevant degree.

Entry-Level Positions

Security Analyst (SOC Tier 1): Monitor security alerts, investigate incidents
Security Administrator: Manage security tools and access controls
IT Security Specialist: Implement security policies and procedures
Network Security Technician: Configure firewalls and network security
Junior Penetration Tester: Assist with security assessments
Compliance Analyst: Ensure regulatory compliance

Government and Defense Opportunities

Security+ is one of the few certifications approved under DoD Directive 8570/8140 for IAT Level II positions. This opens doors to federal government cybersecurity roles, defense contractor positions, intelligence agency support roles, and military cybersecurity positions. These positions often come with security clearances that further increase your earning potential.

What Does the Career Path Look Like?

Year 1-2: Security+ → Entry-level analyst ($60k-$80k)
Year 2-4: Add CySA+ or CEH → Mid-level analyst ($80k-$100k)
Year 4-6: Add CISSP or CISM → Senior analyst/Manager ($100k-$130k)
Year 6+: Specialize → Architect/Director ($130k-$180k+)

How Much More Will You Earn With Security+?

$15,000-$20,000 more per year on average. Here are the numbers:

IT professionals without security certs: $55,000-$70,000
Security+ certified professionals: $70,000-$90,000
Salary premium: $15,000-$20,000 annually

What Is the ROI?

Investment: $500 (exam + study materials)
Annual salary increase: $15,000 (conservative estimate)
ROI in Year 1: 2,900% ($15,000 / $500)
Payback period: ~12 days of work

Over 5 years, that $500 investment translates to $75,000+ in additional earnings — before accounting for promotions and raises.

Salary by Role (Security+ Holders)

Security Analyst: $70,000-$95,000
SOC Analyst (Tier 1): $60,000-$80,000
Security Administrator: $75,000-$100,000
Network Security Engineer: $85,000-$115,000
Security Consultant: $80,000-$120,000

Does Location Affect the Salary?

Yes, significantly:

San Francisco Bay Area: +40-50% above national average
New York City: +30-40% above national average
Washington D.C.: +25-35% above national average (government premiums)
Remote positions: Often pay national average regardless of location

How Many Jobs Require Security+ in 2026?

63,620+ postings in the past 12 months. The demand keeps growing:

Unfilled cybersecurity positions (U.S.): 750,000+
Projected job growth (2024-2034): 29% (much faster than average)
Employer demand for Security+: Top 3 most requested cybersecurity certification

Which Industries Are Hiring?

Government/Defense: Highest demand, often required
Financial Services: Banks, insurance, fintech
Healthcare: HIPAA compliance drives demand
Technology: SaaS companies, MSPs, tech giants
Retail/E-commerce: PCI-DSS compliance needs
Energy/Utilities: Critical infrastructure protection

Why Won't Demand Slow Down?

Increasing cyber attacks: Ransomware, data breaches, and nation-state threats
Regulatory requirements: New compliance mandates require security staff
Digital transformation: More systems online means more attack surface
Talent shortage: Demand far outpaces supply of qualified professionals
AI and automation: New security challenges require human oversight

How Does Security+ Compare to Other Certifications?

Security+ offers the best value for entry-level candidates. Here's how it stacks up:

Security+ vs CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

CEH Cost: $1,199 (exam only) — 3x more expensive
CEH Focus: Offensive security/penetration testing
Verdict: Security+ offers better value for entry-level; CEH better for specialization

Security+ vs SSCP

SSCP Cost: $249 (exam only)
SSCP Requirement: 1 year experience or related degree
Verdict: Security+ has broader recognition and no experience requirement

Security+ vs Google Cybersecurity Certificate

Google Cost: ~$300 (Coursera subscription for ~6 months)
Google Recognition: Growing but not yet equal to Security+
Verdict: Google certificate is good for learning; Security+ better for employment

Security+ vs College Degree

Degree Cost: $40,000-$100,000+ (4-year university)
Degree Time: 4 years full-time
Verdict: Security+ gets you working faster; degree provides broader education

Pro Tip: Many successful cybersecurity professionals combine Security+ with ongoing education. Get Security+ to enter the field quickly, then pursue additional certifications and/or a degree while working. Your employer may even pay for continued education.

Can You Actually Pass Security+?

Yes, with the right preparation. CompTIA does not publish official pass rates, but community data suggests 85-93% of well-prepared candidates pass. The most common failure pattern is skipping practice exams and underestimating PBQs. For a detailed breakdown, see our honest Security+ difficulty assessment.

The Final Verdict: Is Security+ Worth the Investment?

Yes, Security+ is absolutely worth it in 2026. Here's why in eight points:

Exceptional ROI: $500 investment → $15,000+ annual salary increase
Massive job demand: 63,620+ job postings, 750,000+ unfilled positions
Fast time to employment: 4-12 weeks study vs 4 years for a degree
Career foundation: Opens doors to advanced certifications and roles
Recession resistance: Cybersecurity demand remains strong in any economy
Government opportunities: Required for many federal positions
Industry recognition: Universally respected by employers
Achievable certification: 70-75% pass rate with proper preparation

The Bottom Line

For the cost of a few college textbooks, Security+ can launch or accelerate your cybersecurity career. A $425-$700 investment that delivers $15,000+ in annual salary increases pays for itself in weeks, not years. Combined with strong job demand, clear career progression paths, and increasing importance of cybersecurity across all industries, Security+ remains one of the best professional investments you can make in 2026.

The only scenario where Security+ might not be worth it is if you have no interest in cybersecurity or IT — and if you've read this far, that probably doesn't describe you.

Ready to Get Started?

The best time to start preparing for Security+ was yesterday. The second-best time is today. With the right study plan and practice resources, you could be certified within weeks and on your way to a rewarding cybersecurity career.

Related Guides

Security+ salary guide — detailed breakdown by role, experience, and location
Pass Security+ in 30 days — structured study plan with alternate timelines
Remote cybersecurity jobs with no experience — where Security+ actually gets you hired
DoD 8570/8140 requirements — the government/contractor path where Security+ is mandatory

References

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Information Security Analysts: Occupational Outlook Handbook." bls.gov/ooh. Projects 29% job growth (2024-2034) and median annual wage of $124,910 (May 2024).
CyberSeek. "Cybersecurity Supply/Demand Heat Map." cyberseek.org/heatmap. 63,620+ Security+ job postings tracked nationally.
Cybersecurity Ventures. "Cybersecurity Jobs Report." cybersecurityventures.com/jobs. Reports 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally (2023).
CompTIA. "CompTIA Security+ Certification." comptia.org/certifications/security. Official exam pricing, objectives, and requirements for SY0-701.
Glassdoor. "Cyber Security Analyst Salaries." glassdoor.com/Salaries. Salary data for cybersecurity roles in the U.S.
ISC2. "2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study." isc2.org. Global workforce gap of 4.8 million professionals.

Originally published on SecuSpark. SecuSpark is a free, gamified CompTIA certification prep platform with AI explanations and RPG mechanics.

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