CompTIA Security+ costs $425, takes 6-8 weeks to prepare for, and delivers a +21% salary boost — raising average compensation from $95,000 to $115,000 ($20,000 per year). It's rated Advanced difficulty (3/5) by CompTIA. Yes, it's the single best cybersecurity entry point. A 21% salary boost ($20K+/year) is excellent, and it's required for DoD jobs. The $425 exam fee is steep for entry-level, but the career unlock is massive — cybersecurity has a 0% unemployment rate.
The ROI math
The exam costs $425. The average salary boost is +21%, translating to approximately $20,000 per year in additional compensation. Even accounting for 6-8 weeks of preparation time and study materials, the return on investment is measurable within the first few months of your next salary negotiation or job switch. The certification is valid for 3 years (renewable via CE credits).
Who should get this certification
Anyone entering cybersecurity — IT support techs, junior sysadmins, career changers, and recent graduates. Also required for many US government and military IT positions.
Prerequisites
CompTIA recommends 2+ years of IT administration experience with a security focus. CompTIA Network+ is recommended but not required.
Exam details
- Cost: $425
- Format: Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes, multiple choice & performance-based
- Passing score: 750 / 900
- Difficulty: Advanced (3/5)
- Prep time: 6-8 weeks
- Validity: 3 years (renewable via CE credits)
Salary impact
Professionals without this certification earn an average of $95,000. With CompTIA Security+, the average rises to $115,000 — a +21% increase. This positions it as a moderate-investment, high-return certification that is particularly valuable for Cybersecurity Analyst, Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer.
Our verdict
Yes, it's the single best cybersecurity entry point. A 21% salary boost ($20K+/year) is excellent, and it's required for DoD jobs. The $425 exam fee is steep for entry-level, but the career unlock is massive — cybersecurity has a 0% unemployment rate.
How to prepare
Plan for 6-8 weeks of dedicated study. The exam format is up to 90 questions, 90 minutes, multiple choice & performance-based with a passing score of 750 / 900. Focus on hands-on practice over memorization — employers value practical skills, and the exam increasingly tests real-world scenario application. Check our full study plan and prep resource recommendations on the certification detail page.