CompTIA Security+ vs CompTIA CySA+

Updated: 2025-04-10 Methodology

Security+ and CySA+ represent CompTIA's two-step path into cybersecurity, but knowing when to take each one — and whether to skip ahead — can save you months and thousands of dollars. We analyze real salary impact, job market demand, and the optimal timing between the two.

$95K
CompTIA Security+
$105K
CompTIA CySA+

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature CompTIA Security+CompTIA CySA+
Provider CompTIACompTIA
Level EntryIntermediate
Exam Cost $404$404
Avg Salary $95,000$105,000
Pass Rate 82%75%
Study Hours 80h100h
Difficulty 5/106/10
Job Listings 38.0K12.0K

Our Verdict

Security+ is the undisputed starting point — with 38K active job listings vs CySA+'s 12K, it remains the single most requested cybersecurity certification in the U.S. job market and is mandatory for DoD 8570 IAT Level II roles. At $95K average salary, it delivers exceptional ROI for just 80 hours of study. CySA+ is where you go next: it unlocks a $10K salary bump to $105K and positions you specifically for SOC analyst, threat intelligence, and vulnerability management roles — the fastest-growing segments in cybersecurity hiring. The strategic play is Security+ first, then 12-18 months of hands-on experience before tackling CySA+. Skipping Security+ is rarely worth it, since many employers use it as a hard filter regardless of your actual skill level.

Choose CompTIA Security+ if you...

  • Prefer a more accessible exam (82% pass rate)
  • Want broader job market demand (38.0K listings)
  • Prefer a less challenging exam path (5/10 difficulty)
  • Have limited study time (~80h vs ~100h)

Choose CompTIA CySA+ if you...

  • Want higher earning potential ($105K vs $95K avg)
  • Focus on CompTIA ecosystem and intermediate-level roles

Deep Dive Into Each Certification

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA · Entry · $95K avg

CompTIA CySA+

CompTIA · Intermediate · $105K avg

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I skip Security+ and go straight to CySA+?
Almost never. Security+ appears in 38K job listings as a hard requirement — skipping it means automated HR systems will filter you out regardless of your skills. CySA+ study materials assume Security+ knowledge across network security, cryptography, and identity management. The only exception: if you already have equivalent experience (3+ years in security operations) and your target employer explicitly values CySA+ over Security+.
How long should I wait between Security+ and CySA+?
12-18 months is the sweet spot. This gives you enough hands-on experience with SIEM tools, log analysis, and incident response to make CySA+ preparation practical rather than theoretical. Professionals who rush CySA+ within 3-6 months of Security+ report significantly lower pass rates and find the scenario-based questions much harder without real-world context.
Is CySA+ worth it if I already have Security+?
Yes, if you're targeting SOC analyst, threat analyst, or vulnerability management roles. The $10K average salary increase ($95K to $105K) more than justifies the $404 exam fee and 100 hours of study. CySA+ also satisfies DoD 8570 CSSP Analyst requirements, opening federal contractor positions that Security+ alone cannot. If you're headed toward management or architecture instead, consider pivoting to CASP+ or CISSP rather than CySA+.
Security+ vs CySA+ for government jobs?
Both are approved under DoD 8570, but they satisfy different requirements. Security+ covers IAT Level II — the most common baseline requirement for government cybersecurity roles. CySA+ covers CSSP Analyst, which is required for dedicated security operations and analysis positions. For most government contractors, start with Security+ to clear the IAT Level II hurdle, then add CySA+ to qualify for specialized analyst billets that typically pay $10-15K more.

Related Career Paths

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Data Sources

  • Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
  • Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates