Security+ vs CySA+
CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
Security+ leads on market demand (6,171 vs 392 US job postings), while CySA+leads on average salary ($108,000). Security+ is the more accessible starting point at 2/5 difficulty versus 3/5 for CySA+.
Side-by-Side Data
| Security+ | CySA+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 6,171leads | 392 |
| Market Share | 0.10% | 0.01% |
| Demand Trend | Declining | Stable |
| Avg Salary | $92,000 | $108,000leads |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 2 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $425 | $425 |
| Study Time | 30-50 hours | 40-80 hours |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
Security+
CompTIA Security+
Vendor-neutral entry-level security certification covering threats, vulnerabilities, architecture, and security operations. The 90-minute SY0-701 exam has up to 90 questions and requires 750/900 to pass. DoD 8570 approved for IAT Level II positions.
CySA+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst
CompTIA's threat detection and response certification for SOC analysts. The 165-minute exam (CS0-003) has up to 85 questions including performance-based items, requiring 750/900 to pass. Recommends Security+ and 4 years security experience.
Security+ vs CySA+: FAQ
Which pays more, Security+ or CySA+?+
CySA+ is associated with the higher average salary: about $108,000 vs $92,000 for Security+, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, Security+ or CySA+?+
Security+ currently appears in 6,171 US job postings versus 392 for CySA+ — roughly 15.7× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is CySA+ harder than Security+?+
Generally yes: we rate CySA+ 3/5 difficulty versus 2/5 for Security+, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both Security+ and CySA+?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with Security+ (2/5 difficulty) and progressing to CySA+. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.