CompTIA Security+ Salary in 2026: What Can You Really Earn?

Q: How much can you make with a Security+ certification?

For entry-level roles, realistically about $50,000–$75,000 in the US depending on the job, region, and clearance. The broader information-security field pays much more with experience — the US Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median for information security analysts at $124,910 in May 2024 — but that median includes senior people, not first jobs. Security+ helps you get in the door; experience is what moves you up the curve.

Q: Does Security+ actually increase your salary?

Usually by a modest amount on its own — commonly cited at roughly $5,000–$15,000 over an otherwise-identical non-certified candidate, and CompTIA says certified professionals tend to earn more than non-certified peers. The bigger effect is indirect: Security+ unlocks roles (especially DoD/government jobs) you couldn’t apply for without it.

Q: What is the entry-level salary for a Security+ holder?

Most entry-level cybersecurity roles that list Security+ — Tier 1 SOC analyst, junior security analyst, security administrator — start around $55,000–$70,000 in the US in 2026 per job-market aggregators, with help-desk-adjacent roles lower and cleared government roles higher.

Q: What jobs can you get with Security+?

It’s aimed at entry-level defensive roles: SOC analyst (Tier 1), junior information security analyst, security administrator, systems administrator with security duties, and IT support roles moving toward security. It also satisfies the DoD 8140 baseline for several government and contractor positions.

Q: Do government and DoD jobs pay more?

Often, yes — for cleared and DoD-contractor roles, entry-level SOC pay is frequently quoted around $70,000–$85,000 versus roughly $55,000–$65,000 for comparable commercial roles, and Security+ is typically required to qualify. A security clearance adds further premium.

Updated: June 2026 · Read time: 8 min · Level: Beginner

Let's be straight about this up front, because a lot of pages aren't: passing Security+ does not get you a six-figure salary on day one. Security+ is an entry-level credential. It opens the door to first cybersecurity jobs that pay solid-but-not-spectacular money, and the big numbers come later with experience. Here's the honest breakdown, with sources.

The number you've probably seen — and why it's misleading

You'll see "$120K+" thrown around for cybersecurity. That comes from official data: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median wage for information security analysts at $124,910 (May 2024), with the bottom 10% under ~$69,660 and the top 10% over ~$186,420.

But that median includes everyone — people with 5, 10, 15 years of experience. It is not what you make with a fresh Security+ and no experience. Treat it as where the career can go, not where it starts.

📊 The same BLS data projects 29% job growth for information security analysts from 2024–2034 — far faster than average, with ~16,000 openings a year. Demand is real; the entry-level pay is just more modest than the headline.

Realistic entry-level Security+ pay (2026)

For first jobs that list Security+, US pay in 2026 generally lands here (figures from job-market aggregators like ZipRecruiter, Payscale, and role surveys — they're estimates and move around):

Entry-level role	Typical US starting range
Help desk / IT support (security-leaning)	~$45,000–$58,000
Security administrator	~$55,000–$70,000
SOC analyst (Tier 1)	~$55,000–$70,000
Junior information security analyst	~$55,000–$72,000
DoD / cleared contractor entry SOC	~$70,000–$85,000

A commonly cited blended figure for "entry-level Security+" roles in 2026 is around $70,000, but your actual number depends heavily on role, region, clearance, and any prior IT experience.

How much does the cert itself add?

On its own, modestly. The figure you'll see most often is a ~$5,000–$15,000 bump versus an otherwise-identical candidate without it, and CompTIA reports that certified professionals tend to out-earn non-certified peers in comparable roles.

But the bigger value isn't the raw bump — it's access. Security+ is a checkbox on a huge number of job postings and a hard requirement for many government and DoD roles. Without it, you can't even apply to those. The cert's real payoff is the doors it opens, not a line-item raise.

The DoD / government premium

This is where Security+ pays off most directly. Because it satisfies the DoD 8140 (formerly 8570) baseline, it's frequently required for government and defense-contractor cybersecurity jobs — and those roles tend to pay more at entry level. Quoted figures put entry DoD SOC analysts around $70,000–$85,000 versus ~$55,000–$65,000 for comparable commercial roles. Add an active security clearance and the premium grows further.

If you're geographically near a defense hub or open to cleared work, Security+ is one of the highest-ROI certs you can hold.

How pay grows after the entry level

Security+ gets you in; the curve bends up with experience and further certs:

Year 0–1 (Security+, first role): ~$55K–$75K
Year 2–4 (mid-level analyst, + experience): ~$85K–$100K
Senior / specialized (with certs like CySA+, PenTest+, CISSP): well into six figures, approaching that BLS median and beyond

The lesson: Security+ is step one. The compounding happens when you stack hands-on experience + a higher cert on top of it.

So is it worth it for the money?

Yes — as an entry ticket, the math is strong. A ~$425 exam that helps you land a $55K–$85K first role (and qualifies you for higher-paying DoD work) pays for itself almost immediately. Just go in with the right expectation: Security+ buys you the first job, not the top salary. For the full picture of who it's for and whether to get it, see the complete Security+ guide.

FAQ

How much can you make with a Security+ certification? Entry-level, realistically ~$50K–$75K in the US depending on role, region, and clearance. The field's median is much higher ($124,910, BLS May 2024) but that includes experienced analysts, not first jobs.

Does Security+ actually increase your salary? On its own, commonly ~$5K–$15K. The bigger effect is access — it unlocks roles (especially DoD/government) you couldn't apply for otherwise.

What is the entry-level salary for a Security+ holder? Most entry roles (Tier 1 SOC, junior analyst, security admin) start around $55K–$70K in 2026 per job-market aggregators; cleared/government roles run higher.

What jobs can you get with Security+? SOC analyst (Tier 1), junior information security analyst, security administrator, and IT roles moving into security. It also meets the DoD 8140 baseline for many government jobs.

Do government and DoD jobs pay more? Often yes — entry DoD SOC pay is frequently ~$70K–$85K vs ~$55K–$65K commercial, and Security+ is usually required to qualify. A clearance adds more.

Figures here are estimates drawn from public sources (US BLS, May 2024; job-market aggregators, 2026) and change over time and by location. Verify current numbers for your role and region before making decisions.

→ Next: The full Security+ (SY0-701) guide · Can you pass Security+ with no experience?