OSCP vs GPEN
Offensive Security Certified Professional and GIAC Certified Penetration Tester compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
GPEN leads on market demand (692 vs 32 US job postings), while OSCPleads on average salary ($125,000). GPEN is the more accessible starting point at 4/5 difficulty versus 5/5 for OSCP.
Side-by-Side Data
| OSCP | GPEN | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 32 | 692leads |
| Market Share | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Demand Trend | Declining | Rising |
| Avg Salary | $125,000 | $125,000 |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $1,749 | $949 (Attempt) / $2,499+ (with Bundle) |
| Study Time | 200-400 hours | 80-120 hours |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
OSCP
Offensive Security Certified Professional
Highly respected hands-on penetration testing certification. The grueling 24-hour exam requires exploiting live machines and writing a professional report. Includes PEN-200 course with 90 days lab access. Requires 70/100 points to pass.
GPEN
GIAC Certified Penetration Tester
Validates a practitioner's ability to properly conduct a penetration test using best practice techniques and methodologies. Covers comprehensive pentest planning, scoping, and reconnaissance, as well as scanning, exploitation, and post-exploitation.
OSCP vs GPEN: FAQ
Which pays more, OSCP or GPEN?+
Both certifications are associated with similar average salaries of about $125,000 in current US job postings.
Which is more in demand, OSCP or GPEN?+
GPEN currently appears in 692 US job postings versus 32 for OSCP — roughly 21.6× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is OSCP harder than GPEN?+
Generally yes: we rate OSCP 5/5 difficulty versus 4/5 for GPEN, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both OSCP and GPEN?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with GPEN (4/5 difficulty) and progressing to OSCP. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.