Quick Answer: CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 qualifies you for a wide range of cybersecurity roles across multiple industries. The most common entry points are SOC Analyst, Security Analyst, Systems Administrator with security focus, and IT Security Specialist. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 33% job growth for information security analysts through 2033, and roles requiring Security+ have a median salary of around $94,000. The certification is also DoD 8140 compliant, opening government and defense contractor positions that are inaccessible without it.
Why Industry and Job Target Matter More Than the Certification Alone
Security+ is the qualification. Your industry target and your job search strategy are what convert it into an actual job offer and salary.
The same Security+ certification generates a $55,000 starting salary in a small market with no IT experience, a $75,000 starting salary in a metropolitan area with two years of IT experience, or $100,000 in a federal government role combined with a clearance. The certification does not change. The context does.
This guide covers the specific industries hiring fastest, the exact job titles with salary data, the employers who name Security+ in their postings, and the career progression paths that move you from entry-level certification holder to senior security professional.
For the full picture of why Security+ is worth pursuing see our why Security+ is must-have in 2026 guide.
The 10 Core Job Titles for Security+ Holders
These are the roles most frequently listing Security+ as a required or preferred qualification based on current US job posting data.
1. SOC Analyst (Tier 1 and Tier 2)
Security Operations Center analysts are the most common entry point for Security+-certified professionals. Tier 1 SOC analysts monitor security alerts from SIEM dashboards, triage incoming alerts, and escalate confirmed incidents. Tier 2 analysts investigate escalated incidents in greater depth, correlate events across multiple log sources, and coordinate containment actions.
Security+ is frequently listed as a baseline requirement for both tiers because it validates exactly the skills these roles use daily: log analysis, SIEM operation, incident response procedures, and threat identification.
Salary range (US, 2026): Tier 1 SOC Analyst: $55,000 to $75,000. Tier 2 SOC Analyst: $75,000 to $95,000. Metropolitan areas and defense contractors pay toward the top of these ranges.
Remote availability: High. Many organizations run 24/7 SOC operations with remote-eligible analyst positions. This is one of the most remote-friendly roles in cybersecurity.
Employers actively hiring: Managed security service providers (MSSPs) including Secureworks, Optiv, Arctic Wolf, and Rapid7. In-house SOC teams at financial institutions, healthcare systems, and technology companies. Defense contractors including Leidos, SAIC, and Booz Allen Hamilton.
2. Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. They monitor networks for security breaches, investigate violations when they occur, and make recommendations to improve security posture. This role is broader than a SOC analyst and typically involves more cross-functional work with IT and business teams.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary of $124,910 for information security analysts as of May 2024, with projected employment growth of 33% through 2033. This is the role most often cited in Security+ career guidance because of those headline numbers, though reaching the $124,910 median typically requires several years of experience beyond initial certification.
Entry-level salary range with Security+: $65,000 to $85,000 depending on location and sector. Mid-level salary range with Security+ and 3 to 5 years experience: $90,000 to $120,000. Senior level: $120,000 to $150,000 and above in high-demand markets.
Remote availability: Moderate to high. Many information security analyst roles are hybrid or fully remote, particularly in technology companies.
3. Security Administrator
Security administrators manage security infrastructure including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, VPN configurations, endpoint security platforms, and access control systems. They enforce security policies, conduct user access reviews, and implement security hardening across the environment.
This role sits slightly higher in technical responsibility than a junior analyst and typically requires one to three years of IT experience alongside Security+. The certification validates the specific knowledge areas the role requires: network security controls, access management, cryptography implementation, and compliance framework understanding.
Salary range (US, 2026): $80,000 to $110,000 depending on experience and organization size.
Employers actively hiring: Mid-to-large enterprises across all industries, particularly healthcare systems, financial institutions, and government agencies with significant on-premises infrastructure.
4. Systems Administrator with Security Focus
Many organizations, particularly those that are not large enough to have dedicated security staff, hire systems administrators who are expected to handle both general IT administration and security responsibilities. Security+ is frequently listed as a preference or requirement for these roles because it signals that the candidate understands security principles, not just configuration tasks.
This is often the most accessible path for IT professionals transitioning from general IT roles because it allows you to leverage existing system administration experience while adding security credential validation.
Salary range (US, 2026): $75,000 to $100,000 for roles with explicit security responsibilities.
Employers actively hiring: Healthcare organizations, financial services companies, manufacturing firms, and education institutions that run their own IT infrastructure.
5. Network Security Engineer
Network security engineers design, implement, and maintain secure network infrastructure. They work with firewalls, VPN solutions, IDS/IPS systems, network access control, and network segmentation architectures. Security+ provides the foundational knowledge this role requires, though more experienced network security engineers often add Cisco security certifications or PCNSE alongside it.
Salary range (US, 2026): $90,000 to $130,000. Network security engineer roles in financial services, healthcare, and technology companies tend to pay toward the higher end.
Career path note: This role often follows CompTIA Network+ or CCNA certification first, with Security+ adding the security validation layer on top.
6. Vulnerability Analyst
Vulnerability analysts run security scans across an organization’s infrastructure, interpret scanner output, validate findings, prioritize remediation based on CVSS scores and asset value, and track remediation progress. Security+ covers vulnerability assessment concepts in Domain 2 and Domain 4, making it a natural fit for this role.
Salary range (US, 2026): $75,000 to $105,000.
Remote availability: High. Vulnerability management is well-suited to remote work as most scanning and remediation tracking happens through cloud-based platforms.
7. Compliance and Risk Analyst
Compliance analysts ensure that an organization’s security practices align with regulatory requirements including HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, CMMC, and SOX. They conduct internal audits, maintain compliance documentation, assess vendor risk, and prepare for external assessments. Security+ covers all of these compliance frameworks in Domain 5 (Security Program Management and Oversight, 20%).
This is the career path most relevant for professionals coming from legal, finance, or healthcare administration backgrounds who want to transition into cybersecurity.
Salary range (US, 2026): $70,000 to $100,000.
Growth note: CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) implementation for US defense contractors is driving significant demand for compliance-focused security professionals who understand both technical controls and regulatory frameworks.
8. IT Security Specialist
IT security specialists focus on implementing and managing specific security tools and technologies. Job scope varies widely by organization but typically includes managing endpoint security platforms, administering identity and access management systems, and responding to tier-one security incidents.
Salary range (US, 2026): $70,000 to $95,000.
This role often leads to: Senior security analyst, security engineer, or specialized roles in identity management or endpoint security.
9. Incident Response Analyst
Incident response analysts investigate confirmed security incidents, determine scope and impact, coordinate containment and eradication actions, and document findings for post-incident review. Security+ covers the incident response lifecycle in depth in Domain 4, and the hands-on lab experience the certification encourages (SIEM use, log analysis, forensics basics) directly applies to this role.
Salary range (US, 2026): $80,000 to $115,000. Incident response roles at financial institutions and healthcare systems often carry salary premiums due to the regulatory context.
Remote availability: Lower than other roles. Incident response often requires on-site work during active incidents, though much investigation and analysis can be done remotely.
10. Cybersecurity Consultant (Junior to Mid-Level)
Consulting firms and managed security service providers hire Security+-certified professionals for client-facing security assessment, advisory, and implementation work. Entry-level consulting roles typically involve supporting senior consultants on engagements covering vulnerability assessments, security policy reviews, and compliance gap analyses.
Salary range (US, 2026): $75,000 to $110,000, with performance bonuses common in consulting environments.
Career growth note: Consulting provides unusually broad exposure to different environments, industries, and security challenges, which accelerates skill development. Many experienced security professionals started in consulting roles.
Complete Job Title Salary Reference Table
| Job Title | Entry Level | Mid-Level | Senior | Remote Availability |
| SOC Analyst Tier 1 | $55,000 to $75,000 | N/A | N/A | High |
| SOC Analyst Tier 2 | $75,000 to $95,000 | $90,000 to $110,000 | N/A | High |
| Information Security Analyst | $65,000 to $85,000 | $90,000 to $120,000 | $120,000+ | Moderate to high |
| Security Administrator | $80,000 to $100,000 | $95,000 to $115,000 | $110,000+ | Low to moderate |
| Systems Administrator (security) | $75,000 to $95,000 | $90,000 to $110,000 | $105,000+ | Moderate |
| Network Security Engineer | $85,000 to $105,000 | $100,000 to $125,000 | $120,000+ | Low to moderate |
| Vulnerability Analyst | $75,000 to $95,000 | $90,000 to $110,000 | $105,000+ | High |
| Compliance and Risk Analyst | $70,000 to $90,000 | $85,000 to $105,000 | $100,000+ | Moderate to high |
| Incident Response Analyst | $80,000 to $100,000 | $95,000 to $120,000 | $115,000+ | Low |
| Cybersecurity Consultant | $75,000 to $95,000 | $90,000 to $115,000 | $110,000+ | Moderate |
The 6 Industries Hiring Security+ Professionals Fastest
Government and Defense (Highest Demand)
This is the sector where Security+ crosses the line from preferred to required. DoD Directive 8140 mandates cybersecurity certification for personnel with privileged access to DoD information systems. Security+ satisfies IAT Level II requirements covering a large proportion of cybersecurity positions in federal agencies, military branches, and defense contractors.
Organizations actively hiring Security+-certified professionals in this sector include: federal civilian agencies (DHS, DoD, VA, GSA, and many others), military branches for civilian and contractor cybersecurity positions, the intelligence community and its contractors, and defense-focused firms including Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, CACI, Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics.
The salary premium in this sector comes from two sources: DoD compliance requirements create direct demand, and security clearance eligibility combined with Security+ pushes starting salaries significantly higher. Entry-level DoD SOC analysts with Security+ and a Secret clearance typically start at $75,000 to $100,000. TS/SCI clearance combined with Security+ often starts at $90,000 to $120,000.
Healthcare and Life Sciences (Fastest Growing)
Healthcare is the fastest-growing sector for cybersecurity hiring, driven by a combination of high-profile ransomware attacks against hospital systems, tightening HIPAA enforcement, and the rapid expansion of connected medical devices creating new attack surfaces.
Healthcare organizations hiring Security+ certified staff include hospital systems and health networks, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical and biotech firms, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare IT vendors. HIPAA compliance requirements create sustained demand for security staff who understand both the technical and regulatory dimensions of protecting protected health information (PHI).
Healthcare IT security roles often command salary premiums because of the specialized knowledge required: Security+ plus familiarity with clinical IT systems and HIPAA creates a combination most candidates lack.
Financial Services (Highest Average Salaries)
Financial institutions are among the top private sector employers of information security analysts. PCI-DSS compliance requirements, financial fraud prevention, and the high value of financial data make security investment a regulatory and business necessity rather than a discretionary expense.
Major employers in financial sector security include large banks (JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup), investment firms, insurance companies, fintech companies, and payment processors. Security+ is widely recognized in financial sector security and compliance job descriptions, particularly for analyst, administrator, and compliance specialist roles.
Financial services security roles typically pay above the national median for equivalent roles in other sectors, particularly in major financial centers including New York, Chicago, and Charlotte.
Technology and Cloud Services (Most Job Volume)
Technology companies and cloud service providers generate the highest absolute number of Security+ job postings. The attack surface of large technology companies, the security requirements of cloud platforms, and the security-aware culture of tech employers all drive consistent demand for certified security professionals.
Major technology employers with consistent Security+ hiring include: cloud providers (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud), large technology companies (Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Salesforce), cybersecurity vendors (Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Splunk), and managed security service providers.
Technology sector security roles also tend to offer the strongest remote work options, reflecting the remote-friendly culture of the broader tech industry.
Healthcare Technology and Medical Devices (Emerging High-Growth)
The intersection of healthcare and connected technology is creating a fast-growing niche for security professionals who understand both domains. Medical device security, hospital network security for connected equipment, and telehealth platform security all require professionals who can apply Security+ knowledge in a clinical context.
This is a relatively uncrowded talent pool. Security+ combined with healthcare domain knowledge creates a differentiated profile that commands premium compensation in this niche.
Education and Higher Education (Accessible Entry Point)
Universities, school districts, and educational technology companies offer accessible entry points for Security+-certified professionals without extensive prior experience. The regulatory environment (FERPA for student data) and the relatively lower competition for security roles make education a practical first-employer for early-career candidates.
Salaries in education are typically at the lower end of the Security+ range ($60,000 to $80,000) but the role provides genuine security experience that accelerates career advancement.
DoD and Government Career Path: A Detailed Look
For candidates interested in government and defense careers, the Security+ career path has a specific structure worth understanding in detail.
Security+ satisfies DoD 8140 IAT Level II, which covers the most common entry-level and mid-level cybersecurity roles in government environments. After gaining experience, the natural progression is:
Entry level (0 to 3 years with Security+): SOC analyst, security administrator, help desk with security focus. Salary range: $60,000 to $85,000 in civilian roles, $75,000 to $100,000 with clearance.
Mid-level (3 to 5 years with Security+ and experience): Security analyst, incident response analyst, vulnerability analyst. Salary range: $90,000 to $120,000.
Senior level (pursuing CISSP or CISM): Security engineer, security architect, security manager. Security+ alone is insufficient for IAM Level III compliance, which requires CISSP or equivalent. Salary range: $120,000 to $160,000+.
The clearance factor is significant. Security clearance eligibility (based on background and citizenship) combined with Security+ certification creates a profile that many government and defense employers specifically seek and are willing to pay a meaningful premium for.
How to Target Specific Industries in Your Job Search
Knowing which industry you want to target changes how you present your Security+ on your resume and what you emphasize in interviews.
Targeting government/defense: Highlight any clearance eligibility, mention DoD 8140 compliance explicitly, and study up on NIST frameworks (NIST CSF and NIST SP 800-53) which underpin federal cybersecurity requirements.
Targeting healthcare: Learn HIPAA technical safeguard requirements, understand the difference between PHI and PII, and familiarize yourself with the specific security challenges of clinical IT environments (connected medical devices, EHR systems, 24/7 availability requirements).
Targeting financial services: Study PCI-DSS requirements in detail, understand SOX IT control requirements for publicly traded companies, and learn about financial fraud detection and prevention workflows.
Targeting technology companies: Build hands-on cloud security experience (AWS or Azure free tier is accessible to everyone), demonstrate familiarity with SIEM tools and endpoint security platforms, and highlight any scripting or automation skills that complement your security knowledge.
For the complete career roadmap including what comes after Security+ see our cybersecurity certification roadmap and our guide on how to become a cybersecurity analyst.
Career Progression: Entry to Senior with Security+ as the Foundation
Security+ is the starting point, not the destination. Here is how the career progression typically looks across two common paths.
Blue team and analyst path: Security+ at entry level (0 to 2 years, $60,000 to $85,000) leads to Security+ with experience (2 to 4 years, $80,000 to $100,000), then CompTIA CySA+ for mid-level analyst roles ($90,000 to $125,000), and eventually CISSP for senior security engineering and management positions ($130,000 to $180,000+).
Government and compliance path: Security+ with clearance eligibility (entry, $75,000 to $100,000), then experience in federal environment (mid-level, $90,000 to $120,000), then CISSP or CISM for senior government roles (senior, $120,000 to $160,000+) where IAM Level III compliance requires more advanced credentials.
For the detailed next-steps after passing Security+ see our guide on what to do after Security+ and our highest paying cybersecurity jobs guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Security+ certified professional?
Average total compensation for Security+ certified professionals in the US is approximately $94,000 based on data aggregated across job platforms. This blends entry-level and experienced professionals across roles and regions. Entry-level candidates with Security+ and no prior security experience typically start at $55,000 to $70,000. Experienced professionals using Security+ as one of several credentials typically earn $90,000 to $130,000.
Which industry pays the most for Security+ certified professionals?
Financial services and government/defense consistently pay the most for Security+-certified professionals. Financial sector security roles command above-median salaries particularly in major financial centers. Government and defense roles with clearance and DoD compliance requirements regularly start at $75,000 to $100,000 at entry level.
How many US jobs require CompTIA Security+?
Current data shows over 63,620 active US job postings listing Security+ as a required or preferred qualification. This represents only postings that explicitly mention the certification. Many more positions that require the equivalent knowledge would accept Security+ as validation without naming it.
Can I get a remote cybersecurity job with just Security+?
Yes. SOC analyst and vulnerability analyst roles in particular have high remote availability. Many managed security service providers (MSSPs) operate fully remote SOC teams. Remote roles at entry level tend to be more competitive, so having hands-on lab experience documented alongside the certification improves your chances.
Do I need experience or just the certification to land a Security+ job?
The certification helps significantly but experience alongside it is more effective. The most common successful profile is: 1 to 2 years in any IT role plus Security+ certification. This combination passes ATS filters (the certification) and demonstrates practical capability (the IT experience). Candidates with only the certification and no IT experience face harder competition but can differentiate with documented lab work and projects.
Which certifications should I pursue after Security+ to increase salary?
CompTIA CySA+ adds $8,000 to $15,000 to salary potential in analyst roles. CISSP adds $20,000 to $40,000 for senior roles but requires five years of experience. Cloud security certifications (AWS Security Specialty, Microsoft SC-200) add value in technology sector roles. For the full certification ladder see our cybersecurity certification roadmap.
Is Security+ enough for a government cybersecurity job?
Security+ satisfies DoD 8140 IAT Level II requirements, which covers the majority of entry and mid-level government cybersecurity positions. For positions requiring IAM Level III, CISSP or equivalent is needed. Security+ alone is sufficient to qualify for thousands of government and defense contractor roles, particularly combined with clearance eligibility.
Final Thoughts
Security+ SY0-701 is your entry credential to one of the most in-demand fields in the US job market in 2026. With 33% projected job growth, over 63,620 active postings, and salaries starting at $55,000 to $75,000 for entry-level roles and reaching well above $100,000 with experience, the career economics are compelling.
The key is pairing the certification with a targeted industry strategy. Government and defense for DoD compliance value and clearance premium. Healthcare and financial services for sector-specific salary premiums. Technology for remote flexibility and career breadth.
Start with the free SY0-701 practice test at CertEmpire to benchmark your current readiness. Use the full SY0-701 exam questions and exam dumps for preparation. And start your industry targeting research in parallel with your exam preparation so you are ready to apply as soon as you pass.
For the full preparation framework see our SY0-701 preparation guide and SY0-701 study plan.
Salary data sourced from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), ZipRecruiter, and aggregated job posting analysis. Data reflects US market conditions as of early 2026.
