Security+ vs CySA+ 2026: Complete CompTIA Security Certification Comparison

Q: Which pays more, Security+ or CySA+?

CySA+ typically pays more ($85K-$120K vs $70K-$100K for Security+) because it's an intermediate certification targeting specialized SOC analyst, threat hunter, and vulnerability analyst roles.

CompTIA Security+ and CySA+ represent two stages in the cybersecurity career path: entry-level and analyst-focused. According to PrepForCerts analysis, 68% of SOC analyst job postings list both certifications as preferred qualifications. This guide helps you understand which certification fits your current experience level and career goals.

90 min

Security+ Exam Duration

165 min

CySA+ Exam Duration

$392

Both Exams Same Cost

+$20K

CySA+ Salary Premium

Quick Decision Guide

🔐 Choose Security+ If:

You're new to cybersecurity
You need a foundational security certification
You want DoD 8570 IAT Level II compliance
You're transitioning into security from IT
You need the most widely recognized entry cert
You have less than 2 years security experience

Security+ Practice Test →

🔍 Choose CySA+ If:

You already have Security+ (or equivalent)
You want to specialize as a security analyst
You're pursuing SOC or threat hunting roles
You enjoy log analysis and incident investigation
You need DoD 8570 CSSP Analyst compliance
You have 2-4 years security experience

CySA+ Practice Test →

Complete Comparison Table

Aspect	CompTIA Security+	CompTIA CySA+
Certification Level	Entry-level security	Intermediate (analyst-focused)
Focus Area	Broad security fundamentals	Security operations & threat analysis
Recommended Experience	2 years (or Network+)	4 years (or Security+)
Exam Cost	$392	$392
Study Time	3-4 months	4-5 months
Exam Format	90 questions / 90 minutes	85 questions / 165 minutes
Passing Score	750/900	750/900
DoD 8570/8140	IAT Level II	CSSP Analyst
Salary Range	$70,000-$100,000	$85,000-$120,000
Job Roles	Security Admin, Jr. Analyst	SOC Analyst, Threat Hunter

CompTIA Security Career Path

Security+

Entry Level

$70-100K

→

CySA+

Intermediate

$85-120K

→

CASP+

Advanced

$110-150K

→

CISSP

Expert

$130-180K

Key Topics Compared

Security+ Topics

General Security Concepts (12%)
Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations (22%)
Security Architecture (18%)
Security Operations (28%)
Security Program Management (20%)
Focus: Breadth over depth

CySA+ Topics

Security Operations (33%)
Vulnerability Management (30%)
Incident Response & Management (20%)
Reporting & Communication (17%)
Focus: Depth in SOC operations
Heavy emphasis on log analysis & SIEM

Skills Overlap & Differences

Skill Area	Security+	CySA+
Threat Intelligence	⚠️ Basic	✅ Advanced
SIEM & Log Analysis	⚠️ Conceptual	✅ Hands-on
Vulnerability Scanning	⚠️ Basic	✅ Comprehensive
Incident Response	✅ Moderate	✅ Advanced
Cryptography	✅ Comprehensive	⚠️ Assumed
Network Security	✅ Comprehensive	⚠️ Assumed
Compliance/GRC	✅ Moderate	✅ Reporting focus

💡 PrepForCerts Recommendation

Start with Security+ if you're new to cybersecurity—it's the gateway certification for most security careers (3-4 months). Once you have foundational knowledge and 1-2 years experience, pursue CySA+ to specialize in blue team analyst roles with a $15-20K salary increase potential. Most employers expect Security+ before hiring for CySA+-level positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get Security+ or CySA+ first?

Start with Security+ if you're new to cybersecurity. CySA+ is designed as a follow-up certification that builds on Security+ knowledge. CompTIA recommends 4 years of experience or Security+ before attempting CySA+.

What is the difference between Security+ and CySA+?

Security+ covers broad security fundamentals for entry-level roles. CySA+ specializes in security operations, threat detection, and SOC analyst skills. Security+ is foundational and generalist; CySA+ is analyst-focused and specialized.

Which pays more, Security+ or CySA+?

CySA+ typically pays $15-20K more ($85K-$120K vs $70K-$100K for Security+) because it's an intermediate certification targeting specialized SOC analyst, threat hunter, and vulnerability analyst roles.

Is CySA+ harder than Security+?

Yes, CySA+ is significantly harder. It has a longer exam (165 vs 90 minutes), requires more practical experience with log analysis and SIEM tools, and focuses on advanced threat detection. CySA+ builds directly on Security+ concepts.

Can I skip Security+ and go straight to CySA+?

Technically yes, but not recommended. CySA+ assumes you know Security+ content including cryptography, network security, and threat fundamentals. Without this foundation, you'll struggle with CySA+ material and may need to backfill knowledge during study.

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