TL;DR:
With a CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certification, you can open doors across high-demand industries in the U.S.—finance, healthcare, tech, government, and more. Roles like Information Security Analyst, Security Administrator, and Systems Administrator frequently require or prefer Security+. As of 2024, Information Security Analysts earn a median of ~$124,900/year. Industries facing rapid cyber threats and regulatory pressure are hiring fastest, making this cert a powerful lever for career growth.
Why Industry & Role Matter
Certifications alone are valuable—but knowing where your skills are in demand makes them much more powerful. Certain industries pay more, give you better growth, and offer more opportunities. Let’s explore where Security+ SY0-701 has the strongest pull in the U.S., which jobs are most common, and what kind of pay you can expect.
Industries That Are Hiring Big in 2025
Based on recent U.S. data, these sectors are investing heavily in cybersecurity and showing the fastest growth in demand:
| Industry | Why Demand Is High | Highlights / Trends |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Banking | Heavy regulatory oversight, high risk of fraud, customer data, online/in-app transactions | Finance companies are among top employers of Information Security Analysts. Finance is one of the leading industries in demand for cybersecurity roles. |
| Healthcare | Protected health info (PHI), compliance (HIPAA), ransomware threats | Hospitals and health systems are increasing cybersecurity staffing to avoid data breaches. |
| Technology / Cloud Services / Software | Serves as backbone for many businesses; large “attack surface”; constant innovation introduces new risks | Tech firms, cloud providers, SaaS companies are among biggest growth drivers of cyber job listings. |
| Government / Public Sector | National security, infrastructure protection, election security; various compliance regulations | Federal and state government entities regularly require Security+ or similar credentials for positions. |
| Insurance & Risk Management | Loss events due to cyber incidents, compliance risk, need to assess third-party risk | Growing demand for security specialists, analysts in risk management. |
For an overall view of exam details and preparation advice, head over to the main SY0-701 exam guide.
Jobs You Can Land with Security+ in the U.S.
Here are some roles that commonly request or benefit from Security+ certification, along with typical responsibilities and U.S salary ranges where known:
| Job Title | Typical Duties | U.S. Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | Monitor systems, analyze threats, conduct risk assessments, respond to incidents | Median ~$124,910/year (May 2024) in the U.S. |
| Security Administrator | Manage security tools (firewalls, IDS/IPS), enforce policies, user access controls | Roughly $100,000-$130,000 depending on seniority & region. |
| Systems Administrator with Security Focus | Configure and maintain systems with secure configurations; patching; implement best practices | ~$90,000-$110,000 on average. |
| Security Specialist | Often a more focused role: vulnerability scanning, threat hunting, implementing mitigation controls | Approx. $100,000-$110,000+ depending on skills and location. |
| Help Desk / Support Analyst (Security-aware) | First line of defense: identifying and escalating potential security incidents, basic security practices with user support | Lower end of spectrum, ~$60,000-$80,000 depending on region. |
Salaries vary widely by metro area, industry, experience, and demand. The numbers above reflect typical ranges in the U.S. as of recent data in 2024-2025.
USA Data: Growth, Wage & Job Outlook
Some strong data points that show how promising Security+ credentialed jobs are, and where growth is fastest:
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Information Security Analysts have a median pay of $124,910 (May 2024).
- Employment for Information Security Analysts is projected to grow 29% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
- CyberSeek and various labor market analyses show a ~12% increase in cybersecurity job postings in many sectors over the past 12 months.
- Industries like finance, tech, healthcare lead demand, but mid-sized metro areas (outside the big coasts) are also seeing significant wage growth and demand.
How SY0-701 Helps You Land These Jobs
Security+ SY0-701 includes several skills that align closely with what employers in these industries want:
- Threat detection & vulnerability management — vital in sectors like finance and healthcare.
- Identity & access management, secure network architecture — key in tech companies and cloud providers.
- Governance, risk & compliance knowledge — essential in regulated industries like finance, insurance, and government.
- The inclusion of Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) in SY0-701 means you’re tested on real tasks, not just theory. That sets you up for hands-on roles.
What You Should Do to Target These Industries & Roles
Here are practical steps to make sure you’re a standout applicant:
- Highlight Security+ on your resume, especially if you’ve done relevant labs, projects, or used tools similar to industry standards.
- Tailor your experience to the target industry — e.g. if you want finance, learn about data privacy, PCI-DSS, fraud risk; for healthcare, focus on HIPAA or PHI protections.
- Know your metro market — pay and availability vary. For example, tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, or Austin often pay more, whereas smaller regions may offer slower but steady growth.
- Continue learning skills in demand — cloud security (AWS, Azure), zero trust, SIEM tools, threat hunting. These boost your employability.
- Network & certifications can help — joining industry groups, attending webinars, or getting other complementary certifications (e.g., CySA+, CISSP later) can open doors.
Final Takeaway
If you’re aiming for a job that pays well, offers growth, and gives you meaningful cybersecurity responsibilities, Security+ SY0-701 is one of your best bets. It’s relevant across top U.S. industries, recognized by employers, and backed by data showing fast job growth and excellent salaries.
Next Steps:
- Check out what SY0-701 covers: Complete Breakdown of CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Exam Objectives and Domains (2025)
- Get exam-day prep help with this cheat-sheet: Pass Security+ on Your First Attempt: SY0-701 Exam Cheat Sheet [2025 Updated]
- And if you’re wondering what to aim for next: Done With Security+ Exam? Here Are 10 Things You Can Do Next
Last Updated on by Team CE
