What is the hardest CompTIA certification to get?

The hardest CompTIA certification is subjective and depends on your background, but generally, the CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner) is considered the most difficult overall due to its advanced, hands-on nature, while Security+ often feels hardest for entry-level individuals due to its breadth and complex scenarios, and Network+ can be tough with its deep subnetting and configuration details, making them challenging for different reasons.

Which CompTIA is the hardest?

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+): Still considered one of the most difficult due to its advanced topics. CompTIA Security+: Moderate difficulty, but highly sought after in 2025 for cybersecurity roles. CompTIA Network+: Slightly easier than Security+, but still challenging for beginners.

Which is harder, sec+ or CySA+?

CySA+ is generally considered harder than Security+ because it focuses on advanced cybersecurity skills and practical applications CySA+ dives deeper into tools like SIEMs, packet analysis, and log management, requiring more technical knowledge.

Should I take SY0 601 or 701?

You should take the Security+ 701 (SY0-701) because the 601 version was retired in July 2024, meaning it's no longer available for new certifications, and the 701 covers current, relevant security challenges, focusing more on modern threats, cloud security, Zero Trust, and incident response with updated domain weights. The 701 is the only viable option for new candidates, aligning better with current employer needs and the evolving threat landscape.
 

What is the most valuable CompTIA certification?

The Top 10 Highest Paying CompTIA Certifications

1. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) ...
2. CompTIA Cloud+ ...
3. CompTIA Security+ ...
4. CompTIA Project+ ...
5. CompTIA Network+ ...
6. CompTIA Linux+ ...
7. CompTIA PenTest+ ...
8. CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst)

I Passed My OSCP+ Exam (My Experience)

Can I make $200,000 a year in cyber security?

Yes, making $200,000 a year in cybersecurity is achievable, especially in senior roles like CISO, Security Architect, or Lead Software Security Engineer, or with specialized skills in high-demand areas, though it's less common and typically requires significant experience, certifications, and potentially strategic career moves like moving into sales engineering or management. Entry-level to mid-level roles usually start lower, but a clear career path with continuous learning can lead to six-figure incomes and beyond, with some tech giants even offering $200k+ for early-career security engineers. 

Is CompTIA A+ or Security+ harder?

Comparison with A+ and Network+

Security+ proves more challenging than both CompTIA A+ and Network+. Here's why: The exam builds on A+ and Network+ concepts but adds security layers to each topic.

What is CySA+ salary?

CompTIA CySA+ Salary and Job Opportunities. CompTIA reports the potential CySA+ salary range to be from $72,130 USD for the 25th percentile to $153,090 USD for the 90th percentile annually.

Can I get a job with just network+?

Yes, the CompTIA Network+ certification absolutely helps you get an IT job, validating foundational skills for roles like Network Technician, Help Desk Specialist, IT Support, and Network Administrator, serving as a strong starting point or complement to hands-on experience, and proving competency to employers for various entry-level to advanced positions in networking and telecommunications. 

Is SY0-601 still valid?

Yes, your SY0-601 certification is still valid for its standard three-year period from your pass date, but the SY0-601 exam was retired by CompTIA on July 31, 2024, replaced by the new SY0-701 version. You can no longer take the SY0-601 exam, but if you passed it before the retirement date, your certification remains active until three years from your exam date, requiring CEUs for renewal. 

Should I get CySA+ or PenTest+?

Professionals who want to pursue a career as a cybersecurity analyst or engineer should begin with the CompTIA CySA+ certification course. On the other hand, those curious to pursue a career as a penetration tester should focus on the CompTIA PenTest+ certification course.

Can PenTest+ get you a job?

Career Opportunities: With a CompTIA PenTest+ certification, you can pursue roles like security consultant, cloud penetration tester, web app penetration tester, network security specialist, network security operations, threat intelligence analyst, vulnerability analyst and penetration tester.

Who gets paid more, a data analyst or cyber security?

Shortages of skilled cyber security professionals make this field more lucrative than data analytics. In the U.S., cyber security analysts earn an average of $109,445 per year, with bonuses averaging $2,500. Data analysts, by comparison, earn $80,898 annually, plus a $2,000 bonus.

Which CompTIA makes the most money?

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) is the highest-paid CompTIA certification. It targets senior cybersecurity professionals and validates advanced skills in enterprise security, risk management, and threat analysis, leading to higher salary potential than other CompTIA credentials.

What is the hardest certification to get?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the United States

• USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) ...
• Uniform Bar Examination/ California Bar. ...
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam. ...
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Exam. ...
• NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) ...
• GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

What's the easiest CompTIA exam?

CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+/Tech+): Ideal for First-Timers

If you're completely new to technology, the CompTIA Tech+ (formerly the IT Fundamentals or ITF+) certification is one of the easiest introductions to the field. Tech+ is ideal for people who want to see how IT might fit into their career.

What tech jobs pay $400,000 a year?

Tech jobs paying $400k+ are typically senior, specialized roles in high-demand fields like AI/Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and Data Science, often at major companies or successful startups, including Principal/Staff Engineers, Engineering Directors, CTOs, AI/ML Scientists, Cloud Architects, Product Managers, and Security Leads, with compensation including base, bonuses, and stock. Roles at companies like OpenAI, Netflix, Google, Netflix, Google, and. 

Is CompTIA still worth IT in 2025?

Yes, CompTIA certifications, especially CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+, remain highly relevant and valuable in 2025 for launching and advancing IT careers, serving as globally recognized credentials for foundational skills, opening doors to entry-level jobs (like help desk, support), meeting employer requirements (including for the DoD), and providing building blocks for advanced specializations, with new, more targeted certifications also being introduced to keep pace with tech evolution. 

Can you make 200k a year in cyber security?

Yes, earning $200k in cybersecurity is very achievable, especially in senior, specialized, or consulting roles like CISO (Chief Information Security Officer), Principal Security Engineer, or Application Security Engineer, with high-end salaries often reaching $300k, $400k, or even $500k+ for top experts like bug bounty hunters or Field CISOs. High-demand skills, experience, strategic positions (management, architecture), and location (tech hubs) are key factors, with many mid-level roles also breaking $200k, notes Cybercrime Magazine and this Indeed job listing page. 

Is CySA+ a blue team?

CySA+ vs.

“This is the fastest growing cybersecurity job role in the United States,” Patrick said. “It's about trying to find threats that are coming into your network. It's about the blue team and defense.

Which pays more, networking or cybersecurity?

Cyber security programs prepare graduates to protect systems against cyber threats in a rapidly growing field. These roles often command higher salaries than network engineering, typically exceeding by about $14,000 annually.

What jobs can I get with S+?

These include positions such as:

• Cybersecurity analyst.
• Security engineer.
• Penetration tester.
• Information assurance technician.
• IT auditor, and more.

Which core of A+ is harder?

Both exams are comparable in difficulty. If you're strong in hardware and networking, you might find Core 1 easier; Core 2 might be a breeze in software and operating systems. Can I take CompTIA A+ Core 2 before Core 1? Yes, you may schedule the Core 2 exam before Core 1.