CISSP vs CISM
Certified Information Systems Security Professional and Certified Information Security Manager compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
CISSP leads on market demand (18,260 vs 6,521 US job postings) and CISSPalso leads on average salary ($145,000). CISM is the more accessible starting point at 4/5 difficulty versus 5/5 for CISSP.
Side-by-Side Data
| CISSP | CISM | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 18,260leads | 6,521 |
| Market Share | 0.31% | 0.11% |
| Demand Trend | Stable | Rising |
| Avg Salary | $145,000leads | $140,000 |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $749 | $575 (Member) / $760 (Non-Member) |
| Study Time | 100-150 hours | ~150 hours |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
CISSP
Certified Information Systems Security Professional
The gold standard in security. Validates expertise in eight domains including risk management, asset security, and software development security. The 3-hour CAT exam (English) features 100-150 adaptive questions. Requires 5 years of verified experience.
CISM
Certified Information Security Manager
ISACA's management-focused security certification. Validates expertise in information security governance, risk management, and incident response. The 4-hour exam features 150 questions. Requires 5 years of verified security management experience.
CISSP vs CISM: FAQ
Which pays more, CISSP or CISM?+
CISSP is associated with the higher average salary: about $145,000 vs $140,000 for CISM, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, CISSP or CISM?+
CISSP currently appears in 18,260 US job postings versus 6,521 for CISM — roughly 2.8× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is CISSP harder than CISM?+
Generally yes: we rate CISSP 5/5 difficulty versus 4/5 for CISM, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both CISSP and CISM?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with CISM (4/5 difficulty) and progressing to CISSP. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.