EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

cybersecurity Intermediate Updated: 2025-01-15 Methodology

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification validates a professional's ability to think and act like a malicious hacker, using the same tools and techniques but in a lawful and legitimate manner. It is widely recognized in the industry for roles focused on penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and offensive security operations.

$98K
Avg Salary
60%
Pass Rate
22.0K
Job Listings
80h
Study Time
$1199
Exam Cost

Exam Details

Exam Code312-50
Exam Cost$1199 USD
Duration4 hours
Questions125
Passing Score70%
ProviderEC-Council
Difficulty7/10

Salary Data

Professionals holding the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification earn between $75,000 and $125,000 annually, with an average of $98,000.

Job market demand trend: Growing

Prerequisites

  • 2+ years information security experience recommended
  • CompTIA Security+ or equivalent knowledge

Skills Covered

Ethical HackingPenetration TestingNetwork SecurityVulnerability AssessmentMalware AnalysisSocial EngineeringCryptography

Best Study Resources

Official

EC-Council Official CEH Courseware

 Practice Labs

CEH Practical Labs — iLabs

 Book

CEH v12 Study Guide — Matt Walker

 Hands-on Labs

TryHackMe — Ethical Hacking Path

Comparisons Featuring EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CEH certification worth it?
CEH is well-recognized globally and is often required for government and defense-related cybersecurity roles. It provides a structured approach to ethical hacking and is a solid credential for penetration testing careers.
How difficult is the CEH exam?
With a pass rate of around 60% and a difficulty rating of 7/10, the CEH exam is moderately challenging. It requires solid knowledge of hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies, along with hands-on experience.
CEH vs CompTIA PenTest+ — which should I choose?
CEH is more widely recognized internationally and in government sectors, while PenTest+ is more affordable and focuses on hands-on penetration testing skills. CEH covers a broader range of hacking topics, whereas PenTest+ is more practical in its approach.
What jobs can I get with a CEH certification?
Common roles include Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, Vulnerability Assessor, SOC Analyst, and Information Security Engineer. Many government and defense contractor positions specifically list CEH as a requirement.

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 (not official vendor data)
  • Exam details — EC-Council official documentation