The 10 Highest-Paying Cybersecurity Certifications in 2025 (#3 Will Surprise You)

10 Highest-Paying Cybersecurity Certifications (#3 Will Surprise You)

Cybersecurity remains one of the hottest fields in 2025, with salaries soaring as demand outpaces supply. But not all certifications deliver the same career (or paycheck) boost. Whether you’re just starting in IT security or aiming for an executive-level role, choosing the right credential can make a huge difference in your earning potential.

Here are the 10 highest-paying cybersecurity certifications in 2025 — and trust us, #3 might surprise you.

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Average Salary (2025): $140,000+
• Requirements: 5 years’ work experience, CISSP exam (~$749)
• Difficulty: Moderate to high; global pass rates hover around 50–60%
• Career Roles: Security Architect, CISO, Security Consultant
• Why It Pays: Widely considered the “gold standard,” CISSP is designed for experienced professionals in leadership roles.

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• Average Salary (2025): $115,000
• Requirements: 2 years’ IT security experience (or official training), exam cost ~$1,199
• Difficulty: Moderate; multiple-choice format but requires deep knowledge
• Career Roles: Penetration Tester, Red Team Operator, Security Analyst
• Why It Pays: CEH holders specialize in penetration testing and red team operations.

3. GIAC Security Expert (GSE) 🚨 The Surprise Pick

• Average Salary (2025): $170,000+
• Requirements: Several prior GIAC certifications; advanced exam ~$2,499
• Difficulty: Extremely high; known as one of the hardest cybersecurity certifications
• Career Roles: Senior Security Consultant, Security Researcher, Enterprise Security Lead
• Why It Pays: Rare, elite-level credential. Few expect it to outrank CISSP in salaries, but in 2025 it’s making waves.

4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

• Average Salary (2025): $135,000
• Requirements: 5 years in information security management; exam ~$575 (members) / ~$760 (non-members)
• Difficulty: Moderate; more managerial focus than technical
• Career Roles: IT Manager, Compliance Officer, Security Director
• Why It Pays: CISM validates governance and risk management expertise.

5. CompTIA Security+

• Average Salary (2025): $85,000
• Requirements: No formal prerequisites; exam ~$404
• Difficulty: Entry-level; pass rate ~70%+
• Career Roles: Security Specialist, Systems Administrator, SOC Analyst
• Why It Pays: A top-paying beginner certification, often the first step into cybersecurity.

6. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

• Average Salary (2025): $125,000
• Requirements: No prerequisites, but strong Linux/networking knowledge recommended; exam ~$1,499 (with training)
• Difficulty: High; 24-hour hands-on hacking exam, known for repeat attempts
• Career Roles: Penetration Tester, Red Team Engineer
• Why It Pays: Employers love the practical skills this tough exam validates.

7. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

• Average Salary (2025): $135,000
• Requirements: 5 years IT experience (3 in security, 1 in cloud); exam ~$599
• Difficulty: Moderate; requires strong cloud + security knowledge
• Career Roles: Cloud Security Engineer, Cloud Architect, DevSecOps Specialist
• Why It Pays: Cloud + security is one of the most in-demand skill sets.

8. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

• Average Salary (2025): $120,000
• Requirements: 5 years IS audit/control experience; exam ~$575 (members) / ~$760 (non-members)
• Difficulty: Moderate; focuses on auditing, compliance, and control
• Career Roles: IT Auditor, Risk Analyst, Compliance Manager
• Why It Pays: Audit, compliance, and cybersecurity increasingly overlap, making CISA very marketable.

9. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

• Average Salary (2025): $105,000
• Requirements: 10 years’ IT admin experience, 5 years technical security experience; exam ~$494
• Difficulty: High-level but hands-on focused
• Career Roles: Security Engineer, Technical Lead, Enterprise Security Specialist
• Why It Pays: Great for experts who want to remain technical rather than move into management.

10. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

• Average Salary (2025): $130,000
• Requirements: 3 years’ experience in IT risk management; exam ~$575 (members) / ~$760 (non-members)
• Difficulty: Moderate; heavy on risk governance
• Career Roles: Risk Manager, IT Risk Consultant, Compliance Officer
• Why It Pays: Risk and compliance are top priorities as cyberattacks and regulations increase.

Salary Comparison Chart (2025)

Rank	Certification	Avg Salary (2025)	Difficulty	Typical Roles
1	GIAC Security Expert (GSE)	$170,000+	Very High	Senior Security Consultant, Researcher
2	CISSP	$140,000+	High	Security Architect, CISO
3	CCSP	$135,000	Moderate	Cloud Security Engineer
4	CISM	$135,000	Moderate	IT Manager, Security Director
5	CRISC	$130,000	Moderate	Risk Manager, Compliance Officer
6	OSCP	$125,000	High	Penetration Tester
7	CISA	$120,000	Moderate	IT Auditor, Risk Analyst
8	CEH	$115,000	Moderate	Penetration Tester
9	CASP+	$105,000	High	Security Engineer
10	Security+	$85,000	Beginner	SOC Analyst, Admin

Future-Proofing: Certifications to Watch in 2026

Cybersecurity never stands still. A few certifications are emerging that could break into next year’s top-paying list:

• Zero Trust Security Certifications (vendor-specific programs gaining traction)
• AI Security Certifications (covering adversarial ML and AI risk)
• Cloud-Native Security Certs (Kubernetes and container-focused credentials)

These may not pay the most yet, but early adopters could reap huge career benefits.

Cybersecurity Evolves

The world of cybersecurity certifications is constantly evolving. While CISSP, CEH, and CISM remain staples, the rise of GSE shows that rare, specialized skills can command extraordinary salaries.

Pro Tip: Don’t just chase the highest-paying cert — pick the one that aligns with your career goals, skill set, and passion. That’s the real key to long-term success.