CompTIA Security Plus Salary Guide: How Much Can You Earn?

You’ve spent hours studying, passed the Security+ exam, and now you're left wondering if the payoff is really worth it. The CompTIA Security Plus salary isn’t always clear-cut, especially when job listings skip the numbers or throw around vague ranges. That uncertainty can make it harder to know what’s fair or what’s even possible.
 
For some, the cert leads to a quick bump in pay. For others, the results depend on experience, industry, or where they work. What’s often missing is a real breakdown of how much you can actually earn with Security+ at different stages of your career.
 
That’s what this guide is here to solve. We’ve gathered the most recent salary data, filtered by job role, experience level, and location, so you can see where the certification makes the biggest impact and how to use it to negotiate better offers or plan your next move.

Average CompTIA Security+ Salary Overview

Wondering what a Security+ badge does for your paycheck? Recent surveys show certified practitioners regularly earn more than the average US worker. Pay tends to land somewhere in the mid- to high five figures, though things can shift depending on where you work, how big the company is, and what the market’s doing.

That makes the Security+ exam cost feel more like a calculated investment than a fee. The figures below draw from national averages and align with industry data on the highest-paid cybersecurity jobs, giving you a realistic snapshot of what to expect.

Salary by Experience Level

If you’ve just passed Security+, chances are you’ll start near the top of typical junior IT pay. Get some real-world experience under your belt, and those numbers can climb quickly. Here’s a look at the estimated earnings for someone working in a Security+-aligned role:

• 0–2 years: $65,000 – $80,000
• 3–5 years: $80,000 – $95,000
• 6+ years: $95,000 – $115,000

Leveling up while you work really pays off. When you mix the cert with real projects, it’s a faster track to that next pay bump.

Salary by Job Role

Your job title can give your average salary a bigger push than time alone ever could:

• Help Desk Support Specialist I: $50,756/year 
• Entry‑Level Cyber Security Analyst: 118,090/year
• Information/Security Consultant: $107,702/year

Because Security+ proves you’ve got the skills, employers are more likely to offer you a higher starting salary than someone without it. However, these figures are averages, and your actual salary may vary based on factors we'll discuss next.

Factors Affecting CompTIA Security+ Salaries

Earning your Security+ is a solid move, but do you know where it actually pays off? That’s the real game-changer. Your salary doesn’t just depend on having the cert; it depends on where and how you use it.

High-Paying Industries for Security+ Professionals

Some industries take cybersecurity seriously because so much is on the line. And that mindset shows up in the salaries they offer:

• Finance: Handling sensitive transactions daily means higher pay to minimize risk.
• Healthcare: Secure systems are essential for protecting patient records as digital health expands.
• Defense and aerospace: Strict compliance requirements drive up demand for certified professionals.
• Tech and cloud services: Competitive pay reflects the need to keep digital infrastructure safe and current.

Security+ opens doors in all these sectors, and the biggest returns often come from roles where security is part of daily operations. In these jobs, the cert plays a key role in keeping systems protected and running smoothly.

Top-Paying Cities for Security+ Certified Individuals

Where you work can make a big difference. The same job might pay a lot more in one city than another. Here’s a look:

• San Francisco: Typical entry-level to mid-level cybersecurity roles (e.g. “Entry Level Cyber Security”) average around $156,652 per year.
• New York City: A general “Cyber Security” role averages $145,465/year, with higher percentiles pushing past $160,000.
• District of Columbia (D.C.): As a U.S. state equivalent, the cybersecurity average comes in around $145,000–$150,000/year.
• Chicago, Boston, Dallas: The national average for “Cyber Security Analyst” roles hits about $99,400/year, with Chicago-specific listings averaging about $102,396/year.

Cities with a high cost of living and lots of Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, or heavily regulated industries usually offer higher salaries. If you're open to moving, these areas could give your income and career a serious boost.

Tip: Pairing Security+ with some of the best cybersecurity certifications gives you more room to negotiate offers and raises.

Maximizing Your Earning Potential with Security+

Security+ puts you on the cybersecurity map. Turning that into a higher paycheck comes down to two things: taking on higher-value roles and keeping your skills up to date.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Want to level up faster? Stack your Security+ with focused certs:

• Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+): Proves you know how to track threats and dig into logs
• PenTest+: Shows you’ve got hands-on skills in testing systems
• AWS Certified Security or CCNA Security: Adds solid cloud or network know-how
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP): Validates advanced knowledge in securing cloud platforms and enforcing policies

This kind of upskilling can lead to roles like analyst, engineer, or cloud security specialist, many of which meet CISSP requirements. You’ll also see these certs show up often on the top cybersecurity certifications that employers actively look at.

Continuous Learning and Skill Development

Cyber threats evolve fast; make sure you do too:

• Try short labs or Capture-the-Flag challenges every few months.
• Jump into webinars or meetups to stay on top of new attack trends.
• Aim to earn a new cert every 12 to 18 months.

Following trends in in‑demand cybersecurity jobs keeps your résumé aligned with what companies need. When it’s time to talk salary, show how your recent work matches what the market’s paying. And if the base pay still feels off, it’s worth asking if they’ll support your next training or cert.

What is the ROI of obtaining a CompTIA Security+ certification?

Wondering if Security+ is worth the money? It’s actually one of the most budget-friendly ways to break into or level up in cybersecurity. Most people spend under $600 total, counting the exam and any prep tools. And once you land a job, it usually pays for itself pretty quickly.

Here’s what makes it a smart move:

• Exam cost: Around $340–$392
• Study tools or training: $100–$200 (depending on format)
• Total estimate: Under $600

That’s a pretty small spend when you think about the kind of salary jump it can bring. Security+ also opens doors in both the public and private sectors, including roles that need security clearance or compliance. That kind of recognition speeds up the hiring process and gives you more room to negotiate pay. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Make Security+ Work Harder for Your Career

A CompTIA Security Plus salary can unlock some great opportunities, but only if you know how to make the most of your cert. Whether you're just starting out or aiming to boost your income in your current role, what you do post-exam plays a major role in how far you go.

At Destination Certification, we’ve built a focused Security+ bootcamp that cuts through the noise and gets you prepped for real-world results. It’s structured, clear, and built to get you job-ready faster.
 
Our bootcamp is built by cybersecurity experts who’ve been where you are. They understand what hiring managers look for and how to build skills that actually show up on the job.

If you're serious about turning your Security+ into real, long-term career growth, don’t study alone. Let Destination Certification guide you through a proven system that helps you pass the exam and position yourself for better roles, higher pay, and lasting success. Contact us today and take full control of your cybersecurity future.