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+ 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+.
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
Holding a CompTIA Security+ certification opens the door to a wide range of roles and competitive salaries. It is especially valuable for those pursuing government or defense-related roles, as it satisfies several DoD 8570 and 8140 baseline requirements.
Whether you're aiming for a position in a Security Operations Center (SOC), compliance, systems administration, or technical support, Security+ is a widely recognized credential that validates your foundational security knowledge. It’s frequently listed as a minimum qualification by employers across both the public and private sectors.
For instance, at the time of writing, a search on Glassdoor for US-based jobs mentioning CompTIA Security+ returns over 5,000 results.
At the same time, Indeed lists over 6,000 US-based job postings that include CompTIA Security+ in their descriptions.
Finally, more than 3,000 active job listings on LinkedIn reference CompTIA Security+ as a desired qualification.
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 titles 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.
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization’s data and systems from cyber threats. These analysts monitor networks, investigate incidents, and enforce security policies. This role often works closely with IT and risk management teams and may involve documenting procedures, responding to audits, or using SIEM tools for threat detection.
Many positions, especially in government or defense, require a security clearance and strong knowledge of cyber security principles.
Technical Operations Level 1
Technical Operations Level 1 personnel provide entry-level support for IT infrastructure, including monitoring alerts, documenting incidents, and escalating issues. They may also follow runbooks for routine tasks, support shift-based system uptime, and assist with log analysis or patch verification.
This role often operates in 24/7 environments and requires a solid understanding of system uptime, basic troubleshooting, and a security-first mindset.
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems and servers. They install updates, manage user accounts, monitor performance, and handle issues related to backups, patching, and system uptime.
Scripting knowledge and OS expertise are often expected.
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.
IT Security Technician
IT Security Technicians support day-to-day operations in security teams by deploying patches, reviewing logs, and responding to basic threats.
Familiarity with tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS/IPS), and endpoint security platforms is a plus, but not always required for entry. This role often serves as a stepping stone into more advanced security positions.
Junior SOC Analyst
A Junior SOC Analyst monitors systems for security events and assists with early-stage threat detection and response. Working in a Security Operations Center (SOC), they investigate alerts, follow escalation procedures, and document incidents.
Familiarity with SIEM tools and structured workflows is essential.
CompTIA Security+ Salary and Job Opportunities
Your CompTIA Security+ certification salary expectation should vary and will greatly depend on your prior experience and the specific position you’re applying for.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average yearly salary of a CompTIA Security+ holder is $71,689. However, as you will see, Security+ holders are able to increase their average salaries should they have accompanying certifications and work experience.
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?
Information Security Analyst
The average salary for an Information Security Analyst is around $68,000.
In general, salaries range from $50,000 to $85,000, depending on industry, responsibilities, and security clearance requirements.
Security+ is a common entry requirement, especially in government or contractor roles. Employers may also look for knowledge of SIEM tools, risk assessments, access controls, and compliance frameworks like NIST or ISO 27001. This role often serves as a stepping stone into cyber security engineering, SOC analysis, or GRC positions.
Technical Operations Level 1
The average salary for a Technical Operations Level 1 role is around $58,000.
Typical salaries range from $55,000 to $60,000, depending on shift coverage, industry, and required tooling knowledge.
Security+ is often beneficial, especially in regulated or government environments. Employers may also look for familiarity with monitoring tools, basic scripting, and incident escalation procedures. This role is a strong entry point into NOC, SOC, or systems operations careers.
Systems Administrator
The average salary for a Systems Administrator is around $68,000.
Typical salaries range from $53,000 to $90,000, depending on experience and technical scope.
Security+ can help you land junior sysadmin roles, but employers may also look for CompTIA A+, Network+, or Server+ certifications, plus experience with Windows/Linux environments, Active Directory, and basic scripting.
Network Administrator
The average salary for a Network Administrator is $75,000.
Salaries generally range between $55,000 and $120,000, depending on region, experience, and technical scope.
With CompTIA Security+, candidates may qualify for junior to mid-level roles, especially when paired with 2+ years of networking experience. Employers may also value Network+, Server+, or vendor-specific certifications like CCNA, and look for familiarity with routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), SD-WAN, network security, and cloud infrastructure.
IT Security Technician
The average salary for an IT Security Technician is $78,000.
Salaries generally range between $60,000 - $85,000, depending on location, industry, and experience level.
In addition to CompTIA Security+, certifications recruiters want to see from applicants may include CompTIA Network+, Server+, or Microsoft and Cisco credentials. They will also want applicants to have 1-2 years of relevant hands-on experience, especially with security tools, SIEM platforms, access controls, and basic incident response.
Junior SOC Analyst
The average salary for a SOC Analyst (Tier 1) is $65,000.
Entry-level positions often range between $50,000 and $95,000, depending on the company, region, and skill set.
While CompTIA Security+ can qualify you for many SOC Analyst roles, employers often prefer candidates with additional certifications like CompTIA CySA+, Network+, or Microsoft SC-200. Familiarity with incident response workflows and a strong understanding of networking fundamentals are also highly valued.
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.
Besides Security+, the following certifications validate advanced knowledge in cloud security, architecture, threat detection, and enterprise-level defense strategies:
The average salary for a Security Engineer is $76,000.
SOC Analyst Level II
A SOC Analyst Level II is a mid-tier cyber security role focused on threat detection, deep log analysis, and incident response coordination. These professionals investigate escalated alerts, fine-tune SIEM tools, and help contain real-time cyber threats.
To qualify, candidates generally need 2-4 years of experience in security operations and intermediate to advanced certifications, such as:
- CompTIA CySA+
- GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
- SSCP
- EC-Council Certified SOC Analyst (CSA)
The average salary for a SOC Analyst Level II is $85,000.
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:
The average salary for this position is $108,000.
Conclusion
The CompTIA Security+ Certification Salary can range from a $50k/year Information Security Analyst salary to a $120/year Network Administrator salary.
Obtaining Security+ can broaden your career prospects and put you on a pathway toward long-term success in the field of cyber security.
Luckily, preparing for the exam is now more accessible than ever, with our affordable, all-in-one training resources.
For just $19, you can get lifetime access to the CompTIA Security+ Course & SY0-701 Practice Test Bundle, which includes a comprehensive study guide course plus three full-length practice tests, 14 online quizzes, and flashcards to reinforce key concepts.
And don’t forget that we also offer a CompTIA Security+ Exam Voucher Discount with up to 30% off, so be sure to redeem it when you're ready to schedule your exam.
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 Master's Program, which has over 30,000 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.
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