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CompTIA A+ is the right first certification if you are new to IT and want a job in help desk or technical support. CompTIA Security+ is the right move if you already have IT basics and want to work in cybersecurity. Both are globally recognized, vendor-neutral, and DoD-approved — the difference is scope, salary ceiling, and what the exam actually tests.
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| CompTIA A+ vs CompTIA Security+ — 2026 Comparison |
How do CompTIA A+ and Security+ compare at a glance?
Before going deep on either exam, here is the side-by-side picture. The two certifications solve different problems for different points in an IT career.
| Factor | CompTIA A+ (v15) | CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam codes | 220-1201 + 220-1202 | SY0-701 |
| Number of exams | 2 (both required) | 1 |
| Question types | Multiple choice + PBQs | Multiple choice + PBQs |
| Max questions per exam | 90 | 90 |
| Passing score | 675/900 (Core 1), 700/900 (Core 2) | 750/900 |
| Exam duration | 90 minutes each | 90 minutes |
| Exam cost (USD) | ~$262 per exam (~$524 total) | ~$392 |
| Recommended experience | None (beginner-friendly) | 2 years IT or A+ equivalent |
| Renewal | Every 3 years (CEUs or retake) | Every 3 years (CEUs or retake) |
| DoD 8570 approved | Yes (IAT Level I) | Yes (IAT Level II) |
| Average US salary | $42,000–$58,000 entry level | $80,000–$120,000+ |
| Typical first job | Help desk, IT support, desktop tech | Security analyst, SOC analyst, sysadmin |
Pakistan note!
Both exams are available at Pearson VUE test centers in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Online proctored testing (OnVUE) is also available from home. Exam costs in PKR fluctuate with the exchange rate; check the Pearson VUE CompTIA page for current pricing before registering.
What is CompTIA A+ and who is it for?
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| CompTIA A+ Certification |
CompTIA A+ is an entry-level IT certification that validates core hardware and software troubleshooting skills. It is the most widely recognized baseline credential in IT, and many employers list it as a minimum requirement for help desk and tier-1 support roles. The current version is the v15 series, which launched in March 2025 and replaced the v14 (220-1101/220-1102) exams.
The certification requires passing two separate exams. Core 1 (220-1201) covers mobile devices, networking fundamentals, hardware, virtualization, cloud computing, and hardware/network troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1202) covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. Passing both earns the A+ credential.
Who should get CompTIA A+?
A+ is the right starting point if you have no prior IT work experience, you want a job in help desk or desktop support, or you are planning to stack toward Network+ or Security+ later. IT professionals who already have two or more years of hands-on support experience sometimes skip A+ and go directly to Network+ or Security+ — that is a reasonable path if the job market in your area accepts it. For most beginners, especially those in Pakistan or South Asia where formal credentials carry significant weight with employers, A+ is worth doing first.
Info!
The v15 update added more coverage of AI tools in IT support workflows, cloud-based desktop environments, and modern Windows 11 troubleshooting. If you studied for v14 but have not yet passed, you need updated materials for the new exam codes.
What is CompTIA Security+ and who is it for?
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| CompTIA Security+ Certification |
CompTIA Security+ (exam SY0-701) is an entry-to-mid-level cybersecurity certification covering threat analysis, vulnerability management, cryptography, identity management, and incident response. It is one exam, roughly 90 questions, and has a passing score of 750 out of 900. CompTIA recommends two years of IT experience with a security focus before sitting for it, though many candidates pass with self-study alone if they have a strong technical background.
Security+ is DoD 8570 compliant at the IAT Level II tier, which makes it a gating requirement for a wide range of US government and defense contractor positions. It is also the most commonly listed entry-level cybersecurity certification in job postings across finance, healthcare, and technology sectors worldwide.
Who should get CompTIA Security+?
Security+ is the right choice if you already understand basic networking (subnets, firewalls, DNS, ports and protocols), you want to move into a security-focused role, or you are aiming for DoD or US federal government contracting work. If you are starting from zero, Security+ without any IT background is a harder path — not impossible, but the material assumes you already know what a packet capture is and why HTTPS differs from HTTP.
Is Security+ harder than CompTIA A+?
Security+ is harder than A+ for most candidates. The difficulty is not just in the volume of content but in how the questions are framed. A+ questions tend to be scenario-based but grounded in hands-on tasks you can practice on a real machine. Security+ questions require you to reason through security architecture decisions, threat actor motivations, and regulatory compliance scenarios without a single right answer being obvious from the keywords alone.
A second difference is the performance-based questions (PBQs). Both exams include PBQs, but Security+ PBQs often involve analyzing packet captures, configuring firewall rules, or walking through an incident response scenario. These require applied knowledge, not memorization.
| Difficulty factor | CompTIA A+ (v15) | Security+ (SY0-701) |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite knowledge | None required | Networking fundamentals expected |
| Depth of topics | Broad, practical | Narrower scope, much deeper |
| Question style | Scenario-based troubleshooting | Security reasoning + compliance logic |
| PBQ complexity | Moderate (config tasks, cable diagrams) | High (packet analysis, IR scenarios) |
| Typical study time | 3–6 months from scratch | 4–8 months (with IT background) |
| Pass rate (estimated) | ~70–75% first attempt | ~65–70% first attempt |
The analogy that holds up in practice: A+ teaches you how to build and repair systems. Security+ teaches you how to protect those systems from people trying to break them. Both are technical skills, but they sit at different points on the career curve.
What topics does each exam cover?
CompTIA A+ v15 exam domains (220-1201 and 220-1202)
| Exam | Domain | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Core 1 (220-1201) |
Mobile Devices | 15% |
| Networking | 20% | |
| Hardware | 25% | |
| Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 11% | |
| Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 29% | |
| Core 2 (220-1202) |
Operating Systems | 31% |
| Security | 25% | |
| Software Troubleshooting | 22% | |
| Operational Procedures | 22% |
CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam domains
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| General Security Concepts | 12% |
| Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% |
| Security Architecture | 18% |
| Security Operations | 28% |
| Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% |
Info!
The SY0-701 version of Security+ introduced heavier weighting on Security Operations (28%) and added dedicated coverage of AI-assisted threat detection, hybrid cloud environments, and zero-trust architecture. These topics were minimal or absent in the previous SY0-601 version.
What careers and salaries does each certification lead to?
Jobs after CompTIA A+
A+ certified professionals typically start in IT support, help desk, and field service roles. These positions involve installing and configuring systems, troubleshooting user issues, managing hardware lifecycles, and maintaining endpoint devices. They are the entry point into IT for most people without a computer science degree.
| Job title | US salary range (2025/2026) | Pakistan salary range (2025/2026) |
|---|---|---|
| IT Support Specialist | $40,000–$58,000 | PKR 60,000–120,000/month |
| Help Desk Technician | $37,000–$52,000 | PKR 50,000–100,000/month |
| Desktop Support Technician | $42,000–$60,000 | PKR 65,000–130,000/month |
| Field Service Technician | $38,000–$55,000 | PKR 55,000–110,000/month |
| IT Technician (general) | $44,000–$62,000 | PKR 70,000–140,000/month |
If you want more detail on what specific employers pay and which roles are most available after A+, read the full breakdown in jobs after CompTIA A+ certification and the CompTIA A+ salary guide.
Jobs after CompTIA Security+
Security+ opens doors to cybersecurity-specific roles that pay significantly more than general IT support. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects information security analyst roles to grow 33% between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than the average across all occupations. That growth is driving both salary increases and the number of open positions.
| Job title | US salary range (2025/2026) | Pakistan salary range (2025/2026) |
|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst (Tier 1) | $58,000–$85,000 | PKR 100,000–200,000/month |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $80,000–$110,000 | PKR 120,000–280,000/month |
| Network Security Specialist | $75,000–$105,000 | PKR 110,000–250,000/month |
| Security Administrator | $70,000–$100,000 | PKR 105,000–230,000/month |
| Systems Administrator (security-focused) | $65,000–$95,000 | PKR 95,000–210,000/month |
| IT Security Consultant | $85,000–$130,000 | PKR 130,000–350,000/month (remote/contract) |
Should you get A+ before Security+?
CompTIA officially recommends A+ or equivalent experience before Security+, but it does not enforce this as a prerequisite. In practice, candidates who attempt Security+ without any IT background tend to struggle with the networking and systems concepts woven through the security content. If you do not already know what a VLAN is, what NAT does, or how a PKI certificate chain works, Security+ will be significantly harder.
The common paths people actually take in 2026:
- A+ first, then Security+: The most common path for career changers and students with no IT background. A+ gives you the hardware, OS, and networking foundation. Security+ then builds the security layer on top. Total timeline from zero: roughly 12–18 months for both if studying part-time.
- A+ first, then Network+, then Security+: The full CompTIA stackable path. Network+ adds deeper networking depth (subnetting, routing protocols, WAN technologies) that makes Security+ noticeably easier. Recommended if you want to work in network security specifically.
- Skip A+, go directly to Security+: Valid if you already have 1–2 years of IT work experience or a relevant degree. Many IT graduates skip A+ entirely and start with Security+. Not recommended if you are completely new to IT.
- A+ only, no Security+: Perfectly fine if your goal is IT support, help desk, or desktop technician work and you have no interest in cybersecurity. A+ does not expire in usefulness just because you did not stack further certifications.
Info!
CompTIA A+ now counts as CE credits toward Security+ renewal under the CompTIA Continuing Education program. If you hold both, renewing one certification generates credits applicable to the other — reducing the cost and effort of staying current.
What are the best study resources for each exam in 2026?
CompTIA A+ study resources
The A+ exam community has excellent free and paid options. Professor Messer's free A+ study guide and video course at professormesser.com is the standard free starting point and has been updated for the v15 (220-1201/220-1202) objectives. Mike Meyers' All-in-One A+ Certification Exam Guide is the most comprehensive paid book. Jason Dion's Udemy courses offer affordable video instruction with practice exams that closely match the real test format.
For practical lab work, you do not need to buy hardware. Free tools like VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Player let you set up virtual machines to practice OS installation, partitioning, and troubleshooting on your existing laptop. For a curated list of which books and courses actually help, see the full best books for CompTIA A+ breakdown.
CompTIA Security+ study resources
Professor Messer also produces a free Security+ (SY0-701) course, which is a good baseline. Darril Gibson's CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead is widely recommended for its depth on the conceptual side. For hands-on practice, TryHackMe and Hack The Box Academy both have Security+ aligned learning paths that cover real-world scenarios the exam tests through PBQs.
Practice exams are especially important for Security+ because the question style rewards people who understand the reasoning, not just the vocabulary. Jason Dion's Security+ practice exams on Udemy are the most popular option and have been updated for SY0-701.
Info!
If you are preparing for CompTIA A+ and want a structured 60-day plan rather than loose study, the 60-day CompTIA A+ study formula gives you a week-by-week schedule with specific resource assignments.
Which certification gives better return on investment?
The answer depends on what stage of your career you are at.
CompTIA A+ costs roughly $524 in exam fees (two exams), takes 3–6 months to prepare, and leads to jobs paying $37,000–$60,000 in the US. It is a low-cost entry ticket into a career that you then build on. The ROI is strong for someone who currently has no IT income at all and needs a credential to get hired.
CompTIA Security+ costs about $392 in exam fees, takes 4–8 months to prepare (more if you are learning networking fundamentals simultaneously), and leads to roles paying $70,000–$130,000+. On a pure salary-per-dollar-of-exam-fee basis, Security+ has a higher ceiling. But it also requires more preparation investment and, realistically, some prior IT experience to get through efficiently.
For someone in Pakistan specifically: A+ combined with Security+ is one of the strongest credential combinations for remote work with US employers. The total investment of roughly $900 in exam fees plus 18–24 months of study can realistically lead to USD-denominated remote contracts at $25–$50/hour for SOC analyst work. That is a transformational income difference in the Pakistani market.
Which industries hire A+ vs Security+ professionals?
Top industries for CompTIA A+ certified professionals
IT support roles exist in almost every sector, but the highest concentrations of A+ hiring are in managed service providers (MSPs), which support multiple small and medium businesses simultaneously; retail chains that need point-of-sale system support; hospitals and healthcare networks that depend on clinical workstations; and education institutions running large student computer labs. Government agencies at the state and local level also hire A+ certified technicians for endpoint support roles.
Top industries for CompTIA Security+ certified professionals
Security+ is essentially a gating credential for US federal government and defense contractor work under DoD 8570. Beyond government, financial services, insurance, and healthcare are the highest-paying civilian sectors for Security+ holders because data protection regulations (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOX) require dedicated security staff. Technology companies, cloud service providers, and critical infrastructure operators (energy, utilities, telecoms) are also major employers. These sectors tend to pay at or above the upper end of the salary ranges listed earlier.
What is the recommended CompTIA certification path after A+ and Security+?
Both certifications are designed to stack into higher-level credentials. Here is where each path leads in practice.
- After A+: The natural next step is Network+ (N10-009), which deepens your understanding of network infrastructure. From there, Security+ becomes much more approachable. If you are not interested in cybersecurity, Infrastructure+ and CySA+ are alternatives that keep you on a systems administration path.
- After Security+: CompTIA CySA+ (cybersecurity analyst) is the next step for threat detection and response work. CompTIA CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner) is aimed at senior security engineers and architects. For red team and penetration testing specifically, CompTIA PenTest+ or the OSCP from Offensive Security are the recognized credentials.
- Vendor-specific branching: Many Security+ holders add Microsoft SC-200 (Security Operations Analyst), AWS Security Specialty, or Cisco's CyberOps Associate to complement their vendor-neutral Security+ with a platform-specific credential relevant to their employer's environment.
For a comparison between A+ and adjacent entry-level certifications, the CompTIA A+ vs Cisco CCNA comparison covers the networking-focused alternative in detail. The CompTIA A+ complete beginners guide is the hub article for anyone building the full A+ picture before deciding whether to continue to Security+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Security+ without getting CompTIA A+ first?
Yes. CompTIA does not enforce A+ as a prerequisite for Security+. However, Security+ assumes basic familiarity with networking, operating systems, and security concepts. Candidates with no IT background tend to struggle more than those who have A+ or equivalent work experience. If you are completely new to IT, getting A+ first is the more efficient path to Security+.
What is the difference in salary between A+ and Security+ jobs?
A+ certified professionals in entry-level IT support typically earn $37,000–$60,000 per year in the US. Security+ certified professionals in cybersecurity roles typically earn $70,000–$130,000+ depending on the role and sector. The gap is real and reflects the higher specialization and market demand in cybersecurity compared to general IT support.
Which exam is harder: CompTIA A+ or Security+?
Security+ is generally considered harder than A+. A+ covers more topics but at a more practical, hands-on level. Security+ covers fewer domains but requires deeper reasoning about security architecture, threat analysis, and compliance decisions. Both include performance-based questions, but Security+ PBQs tend to be more complex in terms of scenario analysis.
How long does it take to prepare for CompTIA A+ vs Security+?
CompTIA A+ typically requires 3–6 months of study for candidates starting from scratch, covering both Core 1 and Core 2. Security+ typically requires 4–8 months, though candidates with prior networking experience often prepare in 3–4 months. Both timelines assume roughly 1–2 hours of study per day alongside other commitments.
Are CompTIA A+ and Security+ valid for DoD jobs?
Yes. Both certifications are approved under DoD Directive 8570. A+ satisfies the IAT Level I requirement for technical support roles. Security+ satisfies IAT Level II, which is required for a wider range of IT security positions within the US Department of Defense and its contractors. Security+ is by far the more commonly required of the two for defense sector work.
Is CompTIA A+ still worth getting in 2026?
Yes, for beginners with no IT experience, A+ is still the most widely accepted entry-level credential. The v15 update (exams 220-1201 and 220-1202) added AI-assisted troubleshooting, cloud desktop environments, and updated Windows 11 content to keep it relevant to current IT support work. Employers in most sectors list it as a preferred or required credential for tier-1 IT roles.
What is the cost difference between A+ and Security+ in 2026?
CompTIA A+ requires two exam vouchers at approximately $262 each, totaling about $524. Security+ is a single exam at approximately $392. CompTIA regularly offers discounts through Pearson VUE promotions, academic pricing, and bundle deals. Pakistani candidates can check the Pearson VUE site for current local pricing as PKR conversion rates affect the actual cost.
