Your CompTIA Security+ Salary Guide

Key takeaways

The salary you earn with a CompTIA Security+ certification will depend on your job role, experience, industry, and location.

• According to a 2025 Pearson VUE report, 28 percent of North American IT professionals received a 6 to 10 percent salary increase after getting an IT certification like the CompTIA Security+ certification [1]. 

• The Security+ certification can help you get jobs as a security analyst, network security administrator, IT auditor, or security engineer.

• You can maximize your CompTIA Security+ salary by stacking certifications, developing specialized skills, targeting leadership roles, and adopting career planning and negotiation strategies.

Explore your average salary with the CompTIA Security+ certification, careers you can pursue after certification, and strategies to increase your earnings. If you’re ready to start building expertise in cybersecurity, enroll in the Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization. You’ll have the opportunity to learn key cybersecurity concepts like authentication, cryptography, cyberattacks, enterprise security, threat modeling, and more in as little as two months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career certificate for your resume.

What is the CompTIA Security+ certification? 

The CompTIA Security+ certification is a vendor-neutral entry-level certification that validates your knowledge of fundamental IT concepts and core security skills. Focusing on real-world problem-solving and troubleshooting challenges, the Security+ tests your ability to implement enterprise-grade security solutions, maintain data integrity and confidentiality, and identify and respond to security events.

With no formal prerequisites for taking the exam, this beginner-level certification is often a pathway for professionals to gain the skills necessary for entry-level IT or cybersecurity roles. Additionally, Security+ is a highly recognized certification in the IT industry, having received approval from the US Department of Defense (DoD) and being ISO-compliant. 

How much does the CompTIA Security+ add to your salary?

According to a 2025 Pearson VUE report, 28 percent of North American IT professionals received a 6 to 10 percent salary increase after getting an IT certification, 22 percent received raises of 11 to 20 percent, and 14 percent received raises of 21 to 30 percent [1]. Additionally, Skillsoft reports that professionals with a CompTIA certification earned 16 percent more on average than non-certified professionals in 2024 [3]. These figures imply that earning a CompTIA Security+ certification can potentially increase your salary.

CompTIA Security+ salary by job role

The CompTIA Security+ often serves as the stepping stone for a range of entry-level IT security roles. Explore some of the common roles you can get with the CompTIA Security+, along with their median US salaries.

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of March 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Security analyst

Median total salary in the US: $125,000 [3]

Security analysts are responsible for implementing security strategies for an organization by leveraging their understanding of vulnerabilities and cyber threat mitigation. 

Network security administrator

Median total salary in the US: $138,000 [4]

Network security administrators ensure an organization’s network infrastructure is secure, monitor business networks for suspicious activity, and install firewalls and other security measures. 

Systems administrator

Median total salary in the US: $111,000 [5]

Systems administrators configure and maintain an organization’s hardware and software; monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot any system issues; and implement security controls.

IT auditor

Median total salary in the US: $108,000 [6]

An IT auditor analyzes an organization’s network systems, hardware, and other technological controls to ensure they’re secure, up-to-date, and compliant with regulatory policies.

Security consultant

Median total salary in the US: $130,000 [7]

Security consultants evaluate an organization’s security and risk levels and recommend solutions and measures for protecting their data, systems, network, and software. 

Security engineer

Median total salary in the US: $170,000 [8]

Security engineers leverage their knowledge of computer architecture, security operations, and program management to develop solutions that protect an organization’s systems from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and security incidents.

Factors that affect CompTIA Security+ jobs’ salaries

The salary you earn in an IT role after getting the CompTIA Security+ will also vary based on your years of experience, location, and industry. 

Experience

Your salary can increase as you accumulate more years of work experience, typically because you’ll be more productive and skilled at a job once you’ve been doing it for years. Understanding your salary progression can help you set realistic goals and determine if you’re being paid a competitive salary. Explore how salary varies with experience for CompTIA Security+ jobs.

Industry

Your salary can also vary based on the industry you work in, typically due to different work environments, clients, and training requirements. Highly regulated industries can offer higher compensation since they often face more complex security challenges. The table below lists the highest-paying industries for different CompTIA Security+ jobs along with their median salaries.

Location

The same position may command different salaries at different locations, often due to higher costs of living, the market rate for the role in the area, or local demand and supply of professionals in the field. For cybersecurity professionals, salaries tend to be higher on the East and West Coasts of the US. Explore pay variations among the top three highest-paying US states for each CompTIA Security+ job.

Information security analyst [9]:

• Delaware: $108,115

• North Dakota: $100,744

• Washington: $103,476

Network security administrator [10]: 

• Washington: $91,873

• Rhode Island: $84,228

• Oregon: $89,981

Systems administrator [11]: 

• Washington: $83,947

• Vermont: $83,778

• Oregon: $80,357

IT auditor [12]: 

• Washington: $95,269

• California: $94,235

• Oregon: $89,677

Information security consultant [13]:

• Pennsylvania: $116,383

• Nevada: $114,478

• Arizona: $105,178

Security engineer [14]:

• California: $129,113

• Washington: $114,711

• Arizona: $103,511

Salary comparison with other cybersecurity certifications

While the Security+ is a well-recognized credential in the cybersecurity industry, professionals often earn additional certifications to specialize in specific areas of cybersecurity, such as ethical hacking or penetration testing. For example, professionals often earn the CompTIA PenTest+ certification after Security+ when they’re aiming for a penetration tester role. Specialized certifications can also increase the salary you earn after Security+ certification. 

Is CompTIA Security+ in demand?

The CompTIA Security+ is the most widely recognized entry-level cybersecurity credential. Not only is it DoD-approved and ISO-compliant, but it also validates a baseline knowledge of cybersecurity that many companies prefer for entry-level jobs, as well as provides a strong foundation for advancing to a number of IT roles, like data analyst and cybersecurity architect. The Security+ certification is especially valuable if you’re looking for an entry point into the cybersecurity field. 

How to maximize your salary after earning CompTIA Security+

When you want to earn a salary on the higher end of the spectrum, you'll typically need to add to your CompTIA Security+ certification. You can do this by pursuing additional certifications, developing in-demand skills, targeting leadership positions, planning your career path strategically, and adopting effective salary negotiation tactics.

Stacking certifications

Pursuing advanced or specialized certifications, like the CEH and CISSP, after Security+ can improve your chances of landing a higher-paying role by demonstrating your experience and growth mindset. In the Pearson VUE report, 66 percent of IT professionals held more than one certification, with an average of 6.7 certifications each [1]. CompTIA recommends pursuing its Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), PenTest+, or Linux+ certifications after Security+ to enhance career prospects.

Read more: 8 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications

Developing specialized skills

Building a skill set of niche, in-demand skills can help you earn a higher salary as they address specific organizational needs. Robert Half reports that 87 percent of IT leaders offer higher salaries to candidates with specialized skills than those without [15]. Skills most sought by IT employers include cloud security, ethical hacking, threat intelligence, DevSecOps, and regulatory compliance.

Advancing to managerial or leadership roles

Progressing to a role that involves leadership responsibilities or managing a team can significantly increase salary. For example, CompTIA lists cybersecurity manager as a possible career path for Security+ certified professionals, a role that earns an estimated average pay of $177,000 per year [16]. To qualify for a managerial role, you’ll need communication skills, strategic thinking, and business know-how in addition to technical skills.

Strategic career planning

If you want to set the stage for long-term salary growth, strategic career planning is essential. This means researching and developing skills with high market demand, changing employers to move to companies that offer higher compensation for the same role, and maintaining market awareness through networking. Robert Half notes that 53 percent of IT employees would switch jobs for better financial compensation [15]. 

Negotiating salary effectively

When you’re offered a job, ensure you negotiate your salary instead of accepting an initial offer. Research market rates for your position, practice negotiation conversations, and note what value you can bring to the company. Make sure to highlight your certifications and specialized skills, since 52 percent of employers would negotiate a higher salary if your specialized skills solved a critical business need [15].

Explore resources to take your cybersecurity skills further

Join Career Chat on LinkedIn to stay current with the latest trends in your career field. Also, continue your learning journey in cybersecurity with our other free digital resources:

• Map out your learning: How to Start Learning Cybersecurity: Custom Course Guide

• Watch on YouTube: How to Launch a Cybersecurity Career Without a College Degree

• Learn key concepts: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions 

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