CASP+ vs CISSP

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By Certalyze Research Desk Automated Research & Source Audit
Reviewed by Certalyze Source Audit Updated 2025-04-10
Updated: 2025-04-10 Methodology

CASP+ and CISSP both sit at the advanced level of cybersecurity certifications, but they pull professionals in opposite career directions — deep technical architecture vs. security leadership and governance. With a $24K salary gap and a 3.5x difference in job listings, the choice is more consequential than most candidates realize.

$120K
CASP+
$152K
CISSP

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature CASP+CISSP
Provider CompTIAISC2
Level AdvancedAdvanced
Exam Cost $494 ✓$749
Avg Salary $120,000$152,000 ✓
Pass Rate 55% ✓50%
Study Hours 160h ✓200h
Difficulty 8/108/10
Job Listings 8.5K28.0K ✓

For a deeper look at each certification, read our full CASP+ guide and CISSP guide. Also compare: CEH vs CISSP: Offensive vs Defensive Security Certification, CISSP vs CCSP.

Our Verdict

By the numbers, CISSP wins decisively: $152K average salary vs CASP+'s $128K, and 28K active job listings vs just 8K. That $24K salary gap and 3.5x demand difference reflect market reality — CISSP is the gold standard that HR departments and government agencies use as shorthand for 'senior security professional.' It appears as a hard requirement in roughly 70% of security architect, security director, and CISO job postings. CASP+ exists for a specific and valid niche: senior technical practitioners who want to stay hands-on rather than move into management. If you're a penetration tester, security engineer, or technical architect who never wants to manage people or budgets, CASP+ validates that path at a lower cost ($494 vs $749) and without CISSP's five-year experience requirement. But be honest with yourself — if there's any chance you'll move into leadership, consulting, or government security roles, CISSP's market dominance makes it the higher-ROI investment despite the higher price tag.

Choose CASP+ if you...

  • Prefer a more accessible exam (55% pass rate)
  • Want a lower exam cost ($494 vs $749)
  • Have limited study time (~160h vs ~200h)
  • Focus on CompTIA ecosystem and advanced-level roles
Read full CASP+ guide →

Choose CISSP if you...

  • Want higher earning potential ($152K vs $120K avg)
  • Want broader job market demand (28.0K listings)
  • Focus on ISC2 ecosystem and advanced-level roles
Read full CISSP guide →

Can You Get Both?

Yes — and many professionals do. Since both CASP+ and CISSP are in the cybersecurity space, they complement each other well. Both are at the same level, so choose based on your preferred vendor ecosystem and add the second when you want to broaden your expertise.

Combined study commitment: approximately 360h and $1,243 in exam fees.

These certs feature in career paths like Application Security Engineer and Cybersecurity Analyst.

Deep Dive Into Each Certification

CASP+

CompTIA · Advanced · $120K avg

CISSP

ISC2 · Advanced · $152K avg

Explore more: Cybersecurity Certifications · All comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CASP+ as good as CISSP?
In technical depth, CASP+ is arguably stronger — it tests hands-on skills in enterprise security architecture, risk analysis, and integration of security across complex environments. But in market value, CISSP dominates with 28K job listings vs 8K and a $24K salary premium. The certifications serve different purposes: CASP+ proves you can do the technical work, CISSP proves you can lead, govern, and communicate about security at the organizational level. For career advancement and salary impact, CISSP wins.
Should I skip CASP+ and go straight to CISSP?
If you have five years of relevant security experience, yes — go directly to CISSP. The $255 cost difference ($749 vs $494) pays for itself many times over in salary premium and job market access. If you lack the experience, you can still pass the CISSP exam and earn the Associate of ISC2 designation while accumulating years. This is generally a better career move than getting CASP+ as a stepping stone, since Associate of ISC2 already carries more recognition with most employers than CASP+.
CASP+ vs CISSP for DoD and government jobs?
Both satisfy DoD 8570 requirements, but at different levels. CISSP covers IAM Level III and ISSEP/ISSMP specializations, making it the preferred credential for security management and engineering roles in federal agencies. CASP+ covers IAT Level III and IAM Level II. In practice, government contractors and agencies overwhelmingly prefer CISSP — it appears in federal job postings roughly 4x more frequently than CASP+. If your career involves government or defense work, CISSP is the safer investment.
Can I get CASP+ instead of CISSP to save money?
You can, but the math works against you long-term. CASP+ saves $255 on exam fees, but CISSP holders earn $24K more per year on average ($152K vs $128K). Even accounting for the annual maintenance fees (ISC2 charges $125/year, CompTIA charges for renewal every three years), CISSP's salary premium covers the cost difference in the first month. The only scenario where CASP+ makes financial sense is if you're certain you'll stay in a hands-on technical role and your employer specifically values CompTIA certifications over ISC2.

Related Career Paths

Application Security Engineer

Application security engineers protect software from vulnerabilities by integrating security practic...

$85K – $165K

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts protect organizations from cyber threats by monitoring systems, analyzing vul...

$65K – $140K

GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) Specialist

GRC specialists ensure organizations meet regulatory requirements, manage information security risks...

$70K – $160K

Data Sources & Transparency

  • Salary data — Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and job posting aggregates (US median)
  • Job listings — LinkedIn, Indeed, and Dice active postings (sampled quarterly)
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates from Reddit, TechExams, and certification forums
Last reviewed: 2025-04-10 Our Methodology Editorial Standards