CertQuests
Is the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 still worth it in 2026?
Yes, Security+ SY0-701 is still worth it for most candidates in 2026. It costs $404, takes 60–100 hours to prepare, and is the single most widely required security cert in the US job market — appearing as required or preferred in the majority of entry-level security analyst and IT security postings. For candidates moving from helpdesk or general IT, the salary jump is typically $18,000–$30,000/year. The cert pays for itself in the first six weeks of the new role.
The one scenario where it’s not worth it: you already hold CySA+, CASP+, or CISSP (Security+ is superseded at those tiers), or you’re targeting a purely offensive security career where OSCP is the recognized gate instead.
The numbers that matter
Before any opinion: here are the facts as of Q2 2026.
- Exam cost: $404 USD, up to 90 questions (multiple choice and performance-based), 90-minute window.
- Pass score: 750 out of 900. Performance-based questions appear first in the exam; budget extra time for them.
- Pass rate: ~60% industry-wide based on community reporting across Reddit and prep-provider data. First-attempt rates climb to ~72% among candidates who consistently score 780+ on structured practice tests before booking.
- Job posting reach: Security+ SY0-701 is the most listed security cert in US job postings for Security Analyst, IT Security Specialist, and Systems Administrator (Security Focus) roles as of Q1 2026.
- DoD 8140 compliance: Security+ satisfies IAT Level II and IAM Level I requirements under DoD Directive 8140 — the US Department of Defense’s mandatory baseline for cybersecurity workforce roles. Any candidate targeting government IT, defense contractor, or federal agency work needs it.
- Salary ceiling: The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the 2024 median wage for Information Security Analysts at $120,360/year — with the top 10% exceeding $186,000. Security+ is the entry gate to this career track.
The ROI math in plain terms
Total investment to clear SY0-701: $404 for the exam, $0–$150 for prep materials (CertQuests is free), and roughly 80 hours of study time. At a $20/hour opportunity cost, total investment is approximately $2,000.
Typical return: a $22,000/year salary increase for a candidate moving from helpdesk or general IT support. That’s $1,833 per month. The cert pays for itself in roughly five weeks. Over three years, the cumulative salary advantage exceeds $66,000 — a return above 3,200% on the original investment.
Even at the conservative end — a $15,000 bump for someone already in a security-adjacent role — the payback period is under two months.
When Security+ IS worth it
- Helpdesk, IT support, or desktop technician pivoting to security: this is the single highest-ROI scenario. You have the baseline troubleshooting intuition; Security+ adds the threat-and-defense layer employers need to see on the resumé.
- Anyone targeting government or defense work: Security+ is not optional here. DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II is required for most federal IT security roles. Contractors without it simply won’t clear the staffing gate.
- Network engineers adding a security credential: If you hold Network+ or CCNA, Security+ takes you from network-focused to security-eligible with 60–80 hours of focused study. The overlapping networking content makes the prep efficient.
- Anyone starting the CompTIA security track: Security+ is the floor for CySA+, PenTest+, and CASP+. None of those certs make full career sense without it as the baseline.
- SOC analyst applicants: The SOC Analyst roadmap lists Security+ as the second cert in the sequence because most SOC job descriptions explicitly require it.
When Security+ is NOT worth it
- You already hold CySA+ or CASP+. CompTIA’s own hierarchy places Security+ below both. No employer needs to see all three; the higher cert signals everything Security+ signals and more.
- Pure offensive security track. If your goal is penetration testing, OSCP is the industry’s recognized gate. Hiring managers in pure red-team shops weight OSCP heavily and Security+ lightly. Security+ is still useful as an ATS screen-passer, but it’s not where to concentrate study hours if offence is your lane.
- Senior security engineer with 5+ years hands-on. CISSP or a cloud-security specialization (AWS SCS-C02, AZ-500) moves compensation at the senior level. Security+ at 10 years of experience doesn’t add leverage.
Is the cert going stale?
No. SY0-701 launched in November 2023 and is the current active version, replacing SY0-601. It updated domain weightings to reflect 2023–2024 threat realities: expanded cloud security coverage (17% of the exam), zero-trust architecture, automation and orchestration in security operations, and updated identity and access management for hybrid environments. CompTIA extended the exam lifecycle to roughly three years, meaning SY0-701 will remain active through at least late 2026.
The DoD 8140 mapping was reconfirmed when SY0-701 launched, preserving its compliance status. As long as the US federal IT workforce relies on DoD 8140, Security+ retains structural demand that market cycles can’t erode.
Bottom line
For most IT professionals below the senior-security level in 2026, CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 remains the highest-ROI single credential available. It’s the de facto ATS gate for entry-level security analyst roles, the mandatory baseline for government and defense IT work, and the foundation cert for every CompTIA security track above it. At $404 and 80 study hours, no other cert in its tier delivers a faster or more durable salary return. If you’re on the fence, check your target postings: if more than half list it, the answer is yes.
Start Security+ SY0-701 practice right now — no signup
CertQuests has engineer-written SY0-701 practice questions with full explanations on every answer. Free, no account required.
Frequently asked questions
Is CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 worth it in 2026?
Yes, for most candidates targeting entry-level security or government IT roles. The $404 exam with 60–100 hours of study typically yields an $18,000–$30,000/year salary increase for candidates moving from helpdesk or general IT into security analyst roles — payback in under two months.
What is the pass rate for Security+ SY0-701?
Approximately 60% industry-wide based on community reporting across Reddit and third-party prep providers. First-attempt pass rates climb to roughly 72% among candidates who consistently score 780+ on structured practice exams before booking the real test.
How long does it take to study for Security+ SY0-701?
Typical range is 60–100 hours across 6–10 weeks for candidates with Network+ or general IT experience. Candidates without prior IT background should budget 90–130 hours and consider earning Network+ first to build the foundational context Security+ assumes.
Does Security+ SY0-701 fulfill DoD 8140 requirements?
Yes. Security+ SY0-701 satisfies DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II and IAM Level I baseline requirements. This makes it a mandatory credential for many US federal civilian IT security roles, military contractor positions, and government agency SOC and analyst jobs.
How much does Security+ SY0-701 increase salary?
Candidates moving from helpdesk or IT support ($45k–$60k) typically enter security analyst roles at $65k–$85k with Security+. The BLS reports a 2024 median of $120,360 for Information Security Analysts — Security+ is the entry gate to a career track with significant upside.
How we wrote this
No CompTIA or training-vendor revenue. Salary figures are drawn from BLS Occupational Outlook data and cross-referenced against job postings on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Dice as of Q1–Q2 2026. Pass-rate figures are community-reported estimates; CompTIA does not publish official pass rates. Investment calculations use a $20/hour opportunity cost. DoD 8140 mapping verified against the official DoD Cyber Workforce Management framework. Tell us what you’d update.
Last reviewed: May 3, 2026.