CompTIA Security+ vs CompTIA PenTest+

Updated: 2025-01-15 Methodology

CompTIA Security+ vs CompTIA PenTest+: both from the same vendor but targeting different career paths. Security+ covers broad cybersecurity fundamentals, while PenTest+ focuses specifically on penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.

$95K
CompTIA Security+
$105K
CompTIA PenTest+

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature CompTIA Security+CompTIA PenTest+
Provider CompTIACompTIA
Level AssociateIntermediate
Exam Cost $404$404
Avg Salary $95,000$105,000
Pass Rate 70%58%
Study Hours 90h120h
Difficulty 5/106/10
Job Listings 55.0K12.0K

Our Verdict

Security+ is the broader, more versatile certification and should come first in almost every cybersecurity career path. It's required or preferred for many government and DoD positions and opens far more doors with 55K+ job listings. PenTest+ is a natural follow-up for those who want to specialize in offensive security and penetration testing, commanding a higher salary ($105K vs $95K) but with a smaller, more specialized job market.

Choose CompTIA Security+ if you...

  • Prefer a more accessible exam (70% pass rate)
  • Want broader job market demand (55.0K listings)
  • Prefer a less challenging exam path (5/10 difficulty)
  • Have limited study time (~90h vs ~120h)

Choose CompTIA PenTest+ 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 · Associate · $95K avg

CompTIA PenTest+

CompTIA · Intermediate · $105K avg

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get Security+ before PenTest+?
Yes. CompTIA recommends Security+ as a prerequisite and suggests 3-4 years of hands-on security experience before attempting PenTest+. Security+ builds the foundational knowledge that PenTest+ assumes you already have.
Is PenTest+ comparable to CEH or OSCP?
PenTest+ sits between CEH and OSCP in difficulty. It's more hands-on than CEH with performance-based questions, but less intense than OSCP which requires a 24-hour practical exam. PenTest+ is well-regarded as a mid-level offensive security credential.
Which one meets DoD 8570 requirements?
Security+ meets DoD 8570/8140 requirements for IAT Level II positions, making it essential for government and defense contractor roles. PenTest+ meets CSSP Analyst and CSSP Auditor requirements, which are more specialized roles.

Related Career Paths

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

Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker

Penetration testers simulate real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities before malicious ac...

$75K - $160K

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