CompTIA Security+ Jobs & Salary Guide
Find Security+-relevant openings, then use the role patterns below to decide what to build next: alert triage, incident response, vulnerability management, cloud security, or secure systems administration.
The Security+ Job Market in 2026
Cybersecurity remains one of the strongest hiring markets in all of tech. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects information security analyst employment to grow 33% through 2033 — roughly ten times the average across all occupations — and industry workforce studies consistently estimate a global shortage of several million qualified security professionals. That gap is widest at the entry and mid-levels, exactly where Security+ certified candidates compete.
Security+ (SY0-701) holds a unique position among entry-level credentials: it is the approved baseline certification for DoD 8140 work roles, which makes it a hard requirement for thousands of U.S. federal and defense contractor positions at employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics. In the private sector, it is the most frequently named certification in SOC analyst and junior security analyst postings.
Typical base salary ranges for Security+ certified roles in 2026:
- SOC Analyst (Tier 1): $55,000–$75,000
- Security Analyst: $75,000–$95,000
- Systems Administrator (security focus): $70,000–$90,000
- Vulnerability Analyst: $80,000–$105,000
- Security Engineer (2–5 yrs experience): $110,000–$140,000
Geography and clearance status move these numbers significantly. Roles in the Washington D.C. corridor, New York, and the Bay Area pay 15–30% above the national median, and an active security clearance adds a further premium — cleared Security+ holders in the DMV area routinely command $10,000–$25,000 more than equivalent uncleared roles.
What Employers Look For in 2026
Job posting analysis shows Security+ listed as required or preferred in the majority of entry-level security roles — but the certification alone rarely closes the deal. Employers consistently screen for three things alongside it: evidence of hands-on skills (home labs, TryHackMe or HackTheBox profiles, packet-capture and SIEM familiarity), adjacent IT fundamentals (help desk, networking, or system administration experience — even a year makes a difference), and communication skills, since SOC work is as much about writing clear incident tickets as it is about reading alerts.
Tooling named most often in postings that request Security+: Splunk or another SIEM, Wireshark, Nessus or Qualys for vulnerability scanning, and at least one cloud platform (AWS or Azure). Candidates who pair Security+ with a cloud fundamentals certification report noticeably faster callback rates, because so many security operations now run on cloud infrastructure.
Security+ appears as required or preferred in most of these postings.
The guide includes domain-weighted practice and a study schedule for the concepts these roles expect you to apply.
Current opportunities
Security+-relevant job listings
We filter the source feed by job title so general IT, software, and manufacturing listings do not masquerade as Security+ opportunities. Match the requirements to your experience level before applying.
Lead, Information Security Policy & Enablement
Prudential Financial
Security Engineer III, Red Team Operator (TS Clearance)
Deloitte
Director of Network and Security
Eaton
Principal Security Researcher (Decoder)
Palo Alto Networks
Cloud Security Senior Consultant - M365
Deloitte
DC Security Operations Manager - Finland
TikTok
Security+ Career FAQ
Is CompTIA Security+ enough to get a cybersecurity job?
For entry-level roles, yes — Security+ is the most commonly requested certification in SOC analyst, junior security analyst, and IT security specialist postings. Employers pair it with evidence of hands-on skills, so a home lab, TryHackMe/HackTheBox history, or help desk experience significantly strengthens your application.
What jobs can I get with Security+ and no experience?
The most common entry points are Tier 1 SOC analyst, IT support specialist with a security focus, junior security analyst, and vulnerability management analyst. Federal agencies and defense contractors also hire Security+ holders directly because the certification satisfies DoD 8140 (formerly 8570) baseline requirements.
How much do Security+ certified professionals earn?
Entry-level SOC analysts typically earn $55,000–$75,000. Mid-level security analysts earn $75,000–$95,000, and security engineers with a few years of experience earn $110,000–$140,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median of over $120,000 for information security analysts.
Does Security+ expire?
Security+ is valid for three years. You renew it by earning 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), passing the newest exam version, or earning a higher-level certification such as CySA+ or CASP+ that automatically renews it.
Ready to qualify for these roles?
Start with our complete CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) study guide and free practice quiz.