CompTIA Security+ vs ISC2 SSCP

Updated: 2025-04-10 Methodology

A detailed comparison between CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) and ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) — two popular entry-to-intermediate level cybersecurity certifications targeting different career profiles and employer types.

$95K
CompTIA Security+
$92K
ISC2 SSCP

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature CompTIA Security+ISC2 SSCP
Provider CompTIAISC2
Level Entry-levelIntermediate
Exam Cost $404$249
Avg Salary $95,000$92,000
Pass Rate 80%70%
Study Hours 80h100h
Difficulty 5/106/10
Job Listings 45.0K8.0K

Our Verdict

Security+ is the clear winner for job market breadth with 45K listings vs 8K for SSCP. It's the de facto standard entry-level security certification, especially for US government and DoD roles. SSCP is cheaper to take and slightly more technical, but has far fewer job postings and lower name recognition. For most professionals starting in cybersecurity, Security+ is the better first choice. SSCP shines as a stepping stone toward CISSP within the ISC2 ecosystem.

Choose CompTIA Security+ if you...

  • Want higher earning potential ($95K vs $92K avg)
  • Prefer a more accessible exam (80% pass rate)
  • Want broader job market demand (45.0K listings)
  • Prefer a less challenging exam path (5/10 difficulty)

Choose ISC2 SSCP if you...

  • Want a lower exam cost ($249 vs $404)
  • Focus on ISC2 ecosystem and intermediate-level roles

Deep Dive Into Each Certification

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA · Entry-level · $95K avg

ISC2 SSCP

ISC2 · Intermediate · $92K avg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SSCP replace Security+ for DoD 8570?
Both meet DoD 8570 IAT Level II requirements. However, Security+ is far more commonly requested by government contractors. If your goal is government/defense work, Security+ is the safer choice.
Which is harder — Security+ or SSCP?
SSCP is slightly more challenging. It covers seven domains with deeper technical content and requires 1 year of professional experience (or a relevant degree). Security+ has no experience requirement and is designed as a true entry-level exam.

Related Career Paths

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts protect organizations from cyber threats by monitoring systems, analyzing vul...

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GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) Specialist

GRC specialists ensure organizations meet regulatory requirements, manage information security risks...

$70K - $160K

Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker

Penetration testers simulate real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities before malicious ac...

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Data Sources

  • Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
  • Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates