Security+ Career Guide: Jobs, Salary Expectations & Certification Roadmap

Security+ qualifies you for multiple entry-level and mid-level cybersecurity roles. The most common positions include Security Analyst ($85,000-$105,000 average), SOC Analyst ($70,000-$90,000), Network Administrator with security focus ($65,000-$85,000), Security Administrator ($75,000-$95,000), IT Auditor ($80,000-$100,000), Compliance Analyst ($70,000-$90,000), and Help Desk to Security Transition roles ($55,000-$75,000). Security+ also opens doors to government and defense contractor roles because it satisfies DoD Directive 8570 IAT Level II requirements. Many government IT jobs require Security+ as a minimum qualification, making it one of the most valuable certifications for federal employment.

The certification path is: start with A+ (optional, for IT fundamentals) or Network+ (networking foundation), then earn Security+ (security foundation). From Security+, you can branch out based on your career goals. For security analysis: CySA+ → CISSP. For management: CASP+ / SecurityX → CISSP. For auditing: ISACA CISA. For offensive security: CEH → OSCP. For cloud security: CCSP or AWS Security Specialty. Most professionals follow this timeline: Year 1: Network+ and Security+. Years 2-3: CySA+ or equivalent. Years 4-5: CISSP or CASP+. This progression builds a strong foundation while allowing for specialization.

Not necessarily. A+ is a general IT support certification covering hardware, software, networking, and troubleshooting. It is useful for help desk and desktop support roles but is not a prerequisite for Security+. If you already have basic IT knowledge or work in IT, you can skip A+ and go directly to Security+. If you are completely new to IT with no professional experience, starting with A+ can help build foundational knowledge before tackling Security+. The CompTIA recommended path is A+ → Network+ → Security+, but many professionals successfully skip A+ and start with Network+ or Security+.

Network+ is more relevant as a precursor to Security+ than A+. Security+ assumes you understand networking concepts like TCP/IP, ports, protocols, subnetting, and network devices — all covered in Network+. If you have networking experience through work or self-study, you can go directly to Security+. If you are new to networking, taking Network+ first will make Security+ significantly easier. Many exam topics in Security+ (firewalls, network segmentation, VPNs, wireless security) build directly on Network+ material. Estimates suggest 25-30% of Security+ content requires networking knowledge. If you have time, earning Network+ before Security+ builds a stronger overall IT foundation.

Landing a cybersecurity job with Security+ requires more than just the certification. Here is the winning formula: First, build practical skills using home labs (VirtualBox, pfSense, Kali Linux, Security Onion) and document everything. Second, create projects you can discuss in interviews — set up a SIEM at home, analyze malware samples, or write security automation scripts. Third, apply for SOC analyst roles, which are the most common entry point into cybersecurity. Fourth, highlight your Security+ certification prominently on your resume and LinkedIn. Fifth, consider contract or government positions which are more willing to train junior talent. Many security professionals started in IT support or networking before transitioning to security — that path is still viable and often preferred by employers.