CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Which Should You Get First?

CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: You have decided to get serious about cybersecurity. After doing your research, two names keep coming up: CompTIA Security+ and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Both are respected. Both are widely recognized. So which one should you get first?

The answer depends on where you are in your career, what roles you are targeting, and how much you can invest upfront. This guide breaks down every important difference between CompTIA Security+ vs CEH so you can decide with confidence.

Related: Top 5 Cybersecurity Certifications Ranked by Salary and Demand https://cyberlytech.tech/category/cybersecurity-certifications

CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Quick Overview

CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral foundational certification covering a broad range of cybersecurity concepts. Importantly, the U.S. Department of Defense recognizes it as a baseline security requirement, making it mandatory for thousands of government contractor positions.

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), issued by EC-Council, is an intermediate certification focused on offensive security. Specifically, it covers penetration testing techniques, ethical hacking methodologies, and attack simulations.

CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Exam Difficulty

CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)

90 questions — multiple choice and performance-based
90-minute exam duration
Passing score: 750 out of 900
Recommended experience: 2 years in IT with a security focus
Difficulty level: Beginner to intermediate

CEH v12

125 multiple choice questions
4-hour exam duration
Passing score: approximately 70%
Recommended experience: 2 years in information security
Difficulty level: Intermediate

CompTIA Security+ tests your understanding of security concepts across a wide range of topics. CEH tests whether you understand how attackers think and operate. Security+ is broader. CEH is deeper in its specific domain.

CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Cost Comparison

CompTIA Security+ Cost

Exam voucher: approximately $392 USD
Study materials: $50 to $200 (Professor Messer offers free video courses)
Total realistic investment: $400 to $600

CEH Cost

Official EC-Council training (required without work experience waiver): $850 to $1,900
Exam fee: $950 to $1,199 depending on region
Total realistic investment: $1,500 to $3,000

Security+ is significantly more affordable. For professionals on a budget, the cost difference alone makes Security+ the practical first choice.

CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Salary Impact

According to CompTIA’s workforce research, Security+ holders earn an average salary of $85,000 to $110,000 annually in the United States. Furthermore, the certification qualifies professionals for thousands of federal contractor positions.

CEH holders command slightly higher average salaries of $90,000 to $120,000 USD, reflecting the specialized offensive security skill set. However, CEH without practical penetration testing experience carries limited weight compared to CEH combined with real hands-on skills.

Learn More: Cybersecurity Certification Salary Guide 2024 → https://cyberlytech.tech/category/cybersecurity-certifications

CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Job Market Demand

A simple search on LinkedIn or Indeed reveals the practical reality: Security+ appears as a requirement or preference in roughly three times as many job listings as CEH. This is because Security+ covers skills needed for a wide range of roles — SOC analyst, security analyst, IT security specialist.

CEH is more specifically relevant to penetration tester and ethical hacker roles. Additionally, if you want to work in government or defense contracting in the United States, Security+ is effectively mandatory due to DoD 8570 compliance requirements.

CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Which Should You Choose?

Choose CompTIA Security+ if you:

Are new to cybersecurity and need a recognized baseline credential
Are targeting SOC analyst, security analyst, or IT security roles
Want to work in government, defense, or federal contracting
Are on a budget and need the best return on investment for your first cert

Choose CEH if you:

Already have 2+ years of security experience and a baseline cert
Specifically want to pursue penetration testing or ethical hacking
Have employer support for training and exam fees
Are targeting roles at security consulting firms or offensive security teams

For the vast majority of people entering cybersecurity, CompTIA Security+ is the smarter first move. It is cheaper, more universally recognized, and opens a broader range of job opportunities. CEH is a valuable next step once you have foundational knowledge and want to specialize in offensive security. In other words: Security+ gets you into cybersecurity. CEH helps you advance into a specific corner of it.