CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) vs CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker vs Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)
| Factor | ✅ CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) | CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker | Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) | CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003) | NSE 4 - FortiGate Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CompTIA | EC-Council | Microsoft | CompTIA | Fortinet |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Exam Cost | $425 | $1,199 | $165 | $425 | $400 |
| Pass Rate | 65% | 60% | 65% | 75% | 65% |
| Avg Salary | $90K–$125K | $95K–$130K | $120K–$155K | $85K–$115K | $90K–$125K |
| Difficulty |
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Hard
★★★★☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
| Best For | Security professionals with hands-on IT experience wanting to move into penetration testing roles. | Security professionals, penetration testers, and defenders who want to understan… | Security engineers with Azure experience responsible for securing cloud infrastr… | Security analysts and IT professionals with 3-4 years of experience looking to s… | Network security engineers working with Fortinet products.… |
| Expiry | Typically 3 years — renewal at comptia.org | Check eccouncil.org | Check microsoft.com | Check comptia.org | Check training.fortinet.com |
| Full Guide | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → |
Which Should You Choose?
The right certification depends on your current role, target employer, geography, and the specific skills gap you're trying to close. Here's a practical breakdown:
✅ Choose CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) if…
You're targeting roles at organisations that specifically require CompTIA credentials, or you're already working within the CompTIA ecosystem. The CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) carries the strongest recognition among CompTIA customers and partners, and its salary premium of $90K–$125K is well-documented in the job market.
Full Guide →Consider CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker if…
You're targeting organisations in the EC-Council ecosystem, or the CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $95K–$130K. Validates ethical hacking and penetration testing skills. Learn to think like a hacker to defend org…
Full Guide →Consider Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) if…
You're targeting organisations in the Microsoft ecosystem, or the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $120K–$155K. Validates expertise in implementing security controls and threat protection, managing identity and a…
Full Guide →Detailed Analysis — CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002)
Strengths
- ✓Issued by CompTIA — one of the most trusted credential authorities in Cybersecurity
- ✓Salary premium of $90K–$125K documented across multiple independent sources
- ✓Exam fee of $425 — strong ROI relative to salary gain
- ✓Global recognition at enterprise employers, government agencies, and consulting firms
- ✓Covers 6 core domains including: Planning & scoping engagements, Information gathering & vulnerability scanning, Attacks & exploits
Considerations
- ◆Pass rate is approximately 65% — structured preparation is essential, not optional
- ◆Mid-level — assumes foundational domain knowledge
- ◆Renewal required — check current requirements at comptia.org
Made your decision? Start your preparation today.
CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) Full Guide → Study Roadmap → Salary Data →