Cybersecurity offers countless paths to fulfilling jobs and rewarding pay – you determine the direction and, ultimately, how much money you can earn with CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+). Not everyone has the same reason for getting certified. In general, you can apply your CASP+ certification in these ways:
In all scenarios, CASP+ can set you apart in the cybersecurity field while remaining immersed in technology, ensuring IT professionals have the skills and knowledge to implement solutions within cybersecurity policies and frameworks.
Aspiring to an advanced-level cybersecurity career and then putting in the effort to grow your career have a great impact on how much you can earn in any job – and security is no exception. Here are a few common job titles that use CASP+:
The job roles covered by CASP+ are categorized under computer network architects by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of jobs in this category is expected to grow by more than 6percent by 2026 and the median pay in 2017 was $104,650.
When researching salaries and aiming your career at specific job titles, remember that you may see a range of salaries for one particular job because some companies and geographies will pay more than others.
Companies that pay more may also demand more, in terms of experience or responsibilities. The result is a range of possible salaries for any particular job title and the reality of mean salary percentiles. Let’s look at computer network architects as an example. While the above median salary gives you a sense of where the majority of salaries fall, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also gives percentiles that show the highest and lowest salaries for that job title:
The pay you can expect from a particular IT job can vary significantly from the median pay depending on a number of factors that may benefit your role for a certain position. Here are five ways that can help increase your pay:
Prior Experience: Reducing training time and having expertise that goes beyond your job description may increase your value to an employer. Similarly, prior related job experience provides trust and builds expectations on the side of an employer that can benefit the numbers on your paycheck.
Additional Training and Certifications: If CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner isn’t your first certification, and if you can showcase additional completed training, you may expand the reach of your certifications and qualify for jobs that you otherwise would not – becoming a candidate for a higher-paying position. Review CompTIA’s stackable certifications to find out how you can build your IT career path with CompTIA certifications. CompTIA AITP also offers access to training for IT professionals.
Commitment: Becoming certified is your first step to your career, but staying certified is even more important and can show employers that you’re committed to your job and that you’re in-sync with a rapidly-evolving industry.
Regional Differences: The pay for a job in one area may be vastly different than what is offered in another area. For example, a network architect working in New York City on average, will make about 10 percent, or $13,440 more than the exact same position in Chicago.
Industry Variations: Keep in mind that some industries may have, in their details, different expectations for certain job titles than others and offer different pay as a result.
Don’t underestimate your personal impact on the pay that you can expect from your job. In addition to the pay boosters discussed above, there are a few more key things that can give you the best shot at landing that first job and making a case for the pay you’re looking for:
CompTIA now offers a number of exam training options for CASP+ to fit your particular learning style and schedule, many of which may be used in combination with each other as you prepare for your exam.
There’s a wealth of information to take you from deciding if CASP+ is right for you, all the way to taking your exam. We’re with you every step of the way!