You're staring at two certification paths, and the decision feels overwhelming. The advice you'll find online ranges from "always start with fundamentals" to "just go for what pays more" – but neither approach considers your specific situation or timeline.
Here's what makes this choice particularly tricky: both certifications can launch your tech career, but they lead to dramatically different destinations. One focuses on breadth across multiple technical areas, while the other dives deep into specialized security concepts. The path you choose could either accelerate your career by months or leave you taking unnecessary detours.
The stakes are higher than just passing an exam. We're talking about career trajectories that can diverge by tens of thousands of dollars annually, vastly different job markets, and completely separate skill development paths. The question isn't just which certification is "better" – it's which one aligns with where you actually want to be in two years and gets you there fastest.
What Are A+ and Security+ Certifications?
CompTIA A+ IT Fundamentals
CompTIA A+ is the gold standard entry-level IT certification that validates your ability to troubleshoot, configure, and manage computer hardware and software. You'll need to pass two separate exams: Core 1 (220-1101) with a score of 675, and Core 2 (220-1102) requiring 700 points, both on a 900-point scale.
This certification covers everything from installing RAM and troubleshooting network connectivity to understanding operating systems and mobile device management. It's designed for help desk technicians, desktop support specialists, and field service technicians who need broad technical knowledge across multiple systems.
CompTIA Security+ Cybersecurity Focus
Security+ takes a laser focus on cybersecurity fundamentals, requiring just one exam (SY0-701) with a passing score of 750 on a 100-900 scale. Many people refer to what is security plus to grasp its foundational role in cybersecurity. Context about exam thresholds is reinforced by linking to security plus passing score. This certification validates your ability to assess cybersecurity risks, implement security controls, respond to incidents, and operate within compliance frameworks.
You'll dive deep into threat analysis, cryptography implementation, network security architecture, and risk management – skills that directly translate to defending organizations against cyber attacks.
Core Purpose Differences
The fundamental difference comes down to specialization versus generalization. A+ makes you a well-rounded IT generalist who can fix computers and support users. Security+ positions you as a cybersecurity specialist focused on protecting digital assets and responding to threats. This specialization explains why Security+ professionals typically earn more – they're solving higher-stakes problems that directly impact business security.
Which Certification Matches Your Career Path?
IT Support and Help Desk Roles
If you're targeting traditional IT support positions like help desk technician, desktop support, or field service roles, A+ is your natural choice. These positions typically pay $46,000-$64,000 annually according to PayScale data, or approximately $64,000 annually based on ZipRecruiter's analysis, and focus on keeping systems running smoothly rather than defending against threats.
A+ directly prepares you for the technical troubleshooting questions you'll face daily: "Why won't this printer connect?" or "How do I recover data from a failed hard drive?" These roles often serve as stepping stones to higher-level IT positions.
Direct Cybersecurity Career Entry
For cybersecurity roles like security analyst, network security administrator, or government contractor positions, Security+ is essential. Entry-level Security+ certified professionals start at approximately $71,697 annually – significantly higher than typical A+ roles.
More importantly, Security+ meets DoD 8570 compliance requirements, opening doors to government contracting opportunities that often require security clearances and offer substantial salary premiums.
Long-term Professional Development
Consider your five-year career vision. If you see yourself in cybersecurity leadership, incident response, or specialized security roles, Security+ provides the foundation for advanced certifications like CISSP or CCSP. A+ professionals typically need to transition through Security+ anyway to reach these advanced cybersecurity positions.
The cybersecurity field offers stronger long-term growth prospects, with 33% projected job growth through 2033 compared to more modest growth in general IT support roles.
Looking for some exam prep guidance and mentoring?
Learn about our personal mentoring
Should You Get A+ Before Security+?
Foundation Knowledge Assessment
Here's the critical question: Do you understand basic networking concepts, operating systems, and hardware fundamentals? If you can explain how TCP/IP works, differentiate between symmetric and asymmetric encryption, and troubleshoot basic network connectivity issues, you likely have sufficient background for Security+.
Security+ assumes you understand these fundamentals but doesn't require formal A+ certification. Many successful Security+ candidates have learned these concepts through experience, self-study, or other educational paths.
Career Timeline Considerations
Getting both certifications sequentially adds 6-12 months to your career transition timeline and approximately $850 in additional exam costs. If you're making a career change, this delay might cost you more in lost earning potential than the foundational knowledge provides.
Consider that Security+ alone qualifies you for positions paying $15,000-$20,000 more annually than typical A+ roles. The math often favors jumping directly to Security+ if you have basic technical competency.
Market Entry Strategy
The current job market shows strong demand for cybersecurity professionals, with over 750,000 unfilled positions nationwide. Employers are increasingly willing to hire candidates with Security+ and train them in specific tools rather than requiring extensive general IT experience.
This market reality means you can often enter cybersecurity directly with Security+ and learn additional IT skills on the job, rather than spending months in lower-paying A+ roles first.
Exam Structure and Content Comparison
A+ Dual Exam Format
A+ requires mastering two distinct exam areas: hardware/network troubleshooting (Core 1) and operating systems/security/software troubleshooting (Core 2). You'll face performance-based questions requiring hands-on technical simulations alongside traditional multiple-choice questions.
The content spans everything from replacing laptop screens to configuring Windows domain policies – breadth that takes considerable study time to master across all topics.
Security+ Single Exam Structure
Security+ concentrates your study efforts on one comprehensive exam covering cybersecurity domains. The exam includes performance-based questions focused on security scenarios: analyzing log files, implementing access controls, or responding to security incidents.
This focused approach often appeals to career changers who prefer deep specialization over broad technical coverage. You're learning skills directly applicable to cybersecurity roles rather than general IT maintenance.
Knowledge Depth vs. Breadth
A+ tests your ability to troubleshoot diverse technical problems across multiple systems and vendors. Security+ tests your understanding of security principles and their implementation across different environments. Both require practical application, but Security+ applications directly relate to protecting organizations from cyber threats – skills currently in higher demand.
Difficulty Level and Study Requirements
A+ Technical Fundamentals
A+ requires memorizing numerous hardware specifications, port numbers, and troubleshooting procedures across different operating systems. The breadth of content means you're learning details about legacy systems and hardware you might rarely encounter in modern cybersecurity roles.
Many candidates find the hardware-focused content challenging if they lack hands-on experience building and repairing computers. However, the concepts are generally straightforward once you understand the underlying principles.
Security+ Specialized Concepts
Security+ introduces complex concepts like cryptographic implementations, risk management frameworks, and incident response procedures. These topics require analytical thinking and understanding of how different security controls interact within organizational environments.
The challenge isn't memorization but rather understanding how security principles apply to real-world scenarios. This conceptual approach can be more engaging for candidates interested in strategic problem-solving.
Preparation Time Investment
Most candidates need 2-3 months of dedicated study for A+ (covering both exams) compared to 2-3 months for Security+ alone. However, Security+ study time focuses entirely on career-relevant cybersecurity concepts rather than general IT maintenance skills.
Your background significantly impacts preparation time. Candidates with networking or system administration experience often find Security+ more intuitive than those starting from scratch with A+ hardware concepts.
Career Outcomes and Salary Potential
A+ Job Market Reality
A+ certified professionals typically start in help desk or desktop support roles earning $46,000-$115,000 annually according to PayScale data from nearly 17,000 surveyed professionals. While these positions provide valuable experience, advancement often requires additional certifications or specialized training.
The pathway from A+ to higher-paying cybersecurity roles usually involves obtaining Security+ anyway, making A+ an additional step rather than a direct career accelerator for cybersecurity professionals.
Security+ Career Advantages
Security+ certified professionals average $88,000 annually according to PayScale data from over 21,000 surveyed professionals. Entry-level positions start around $71,697 – substantially higher than typical A+ starting salaries.
More importantly, Security+ opens doors to specialized cybersecurity career tracks: security analyst, incident response specialist, compliance officer, or government contractor roles that often include security clearance premiums.
Earning Potential Comparison
The salary differential compounds over time. While A+ professionals might need 3-5 years to reach $60,000-$70,000 annually, Security+ professionals often start at these levels and advance to $90,000-$120,000+ with experience.
Additionally, cybersecurity roles offer clearer advancement paths to high-paying positions like security architect, CISO, or specialized consultant roles that can exceed $150,000 annually.
Certification in 1 Week
Study everything you need to know for the Security+ exam in a 1-week bootcamp!
Cost and Time Investment Analysis
Certification Expenses
A+ requires two exam vouchers at $265 each, totaling $530 plus study materials. Security+ needs one $425 exam voucher plus preparation resources. When factoring in study materials, A+ costs range from $580-$680 for budget self-study approaches to $1,010+ for official CompTIA training bundles, while Security+ ranges from $600-$3,500 depending on your preparation method.
ROI Timeline Assessment
Security+ typically pays for itself within the first year through increased salary potential. The higher starting salaries mean you recover certification costs faster than with A+, where salary increases might take longer to materialize.
Given the current cybersecurity job market, Security+ offers superior return on investment for most career changers and new IT professionals.
Decision Guide by Experience Level
Complete IT Beginners (0 Years)
If you've never worked with computers professionally and struggle with basic networking concepts, A+ might provide necessary foundation knowledge. However, consider whether intensive self-study or a comprehensive Security+ training program might achieve the same preparation more efficiently.
Many successful cybersecurity professionals started with Security+ and learned supporting IT concepts through hands-on experience and targeted learning.
Some Technical Background (1-2 Years)
With basic technical experience – even from non-IT roles involving technology troubleshooting – you likely have sufficient background for Security+ success. Focus your energy on cybersecurity-specific concepts rather than general IT fundamentals.
Your existing problem-solving skills transfer well to cybersecurity challenges, and you can learn additional technical details as needed for specific roles.
Career Changers with Non-IT Experience
Career changers from fields like business, healthcare, or education often succeed with Security+ by leveraging analytical and communication skills. These professionals frequently excel in cybersecurity roles that require translating technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
Consider your ultimate career goals rather than trying to follow traditional IT career progression paths that might not apply to cybersecurity specialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Security+ typically leads to faster hiring in cybersecurity roles due to strong market demand and DoD 8570 compliance requirements. The current shortage of cybersecurity professionals creates more opportunities for Security+ holders than the more saturated general IT support market.
Absolutely. Many cybersecurity professionals start with Security+ and develop additional IT skills on the job. Focus on your target role requirements rather than traditional certification progression paths.
Difficulty depends on your background and interests. A+ requires broader technical knowledge across multiple systems, while Security+ demands deeper understanding of security concepts. Many find Security+ more engaging because the content directly relates to current cybersecurity challenges.
Conclusion
Your certification choice should align with your career goals, not traditional IT progression paths. The data reveals a clear pattern: Security+ opens doors to higher-paying cybersecurity roles with stronger growth prospects, while A+ provides broader IT fundamentals that may not directly accelerate cybersecurity careers.
For most professionals targeting cybersecurity roles, Security+ offers superior salary potential, stronger job market demand, and direct career relevance. A+ serves best when you need comprehensive IT fundamentals or are targeting general support roles first.
The investment in focused cybersecurity training typically pays greater dividends than general IT certification in today's threat-focused business environment. Consider your timeline, background, and ultimate career destination when making this strategic choice.
Ready to accelerate your cybersecurity career? Our Security+ BootCamp provides intensive, expert-led training that prepares you for certification success and real-world cybersecurity challenges in just one week of immersive instruction.
John is a major force behind the Destination Certification CISSP program's success, with over 25 years of global cybersecurity experience. He simplifies complex topics, and he utilizes innovative teaching methods that contribute to the program's industry-high exam success rates. As a leading Information Security professional in Canada, John co-authored a bestselling CISSP exam preparation guide and helped develop official CISSP curriculum materials. You can reach out to John on LinkedIn.
Rob is the driving force behind the success of the Destination Certification CISSP program, leveraging over 15 years of security, privacy, and cloud assurance expertise. As a seasoned leader, he has guided numerous companies through high-profile security breaches and managed the development of multi-year security strategies. With a passion for education, Rob has delivered hundreds of globally acclaimed CCSP, CISSP, and ISACA classes, combining entertaining delivery with profound insights for exam success. You can reach out to Rob on LinkedIn.
