Security+ vs Network+
CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Network+ compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
Security+ leads on market demand (6,171 vs 1,855 US job postings) and Security+also leads on average salary ($92,000). Both carry a 2/5 difficulty rating, so the decision comes down to career direction rather than effort.
Side-by-Side Data
| Security+ | Network+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 6,171leads | 1,855 |
| Market Share | 0.10% | 0.03% |
| Demand Trend | Declining | Declining |
| Avg Salary | $92,000leads | $78,000 |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $425 | $390 |
| 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.
Network+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA's vendor-neutral networking certification covering network architecture, security, and troubleshooting. The 90-minute exam (N10-009) has up to 90 questions including performance-based items, requiring 720/900 to pass. DoD 8570 approved. Valid for 3 years.
Security+ vs Network+: FAQ
Which pays more, Security+ or Network+?+
Security+ is associated with the higher average salary: about $92,000 vs $78,000 for Network+, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, Security+ or Network+?+
Security+ currently appears in 6,171 US job postings versus 1,855 for Network+ — roughly 3.3× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is Network+ harder than Security+?+
Both are rated 2/5 difficulty on our scale, though exam formats and prerequisites differ — see each certification's page for specifics.
Should I get both Security+ and Network+?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with Security+ (2/5 difficulty) and progressing to Network+. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.