CAPM vs CEH
Which certification is right for your career? Here's the full breakdown.
PMI
CAPM
CAPM
Entry-level PMI certification validating foundational project management knowledge and terminology for those new to the field.
Full guide →EC-Council
CEH
CEH v13
Certified Ethical Hacker — offensive security certification covering penetration testing methodologies and hacking tools.
Full guide →Side-by-side comparison
| Category | CAPM | CEH |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | ✓$300 USD | $1199 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$8,000/yr | ✓+$15,000/yr |
| Exam duration | 150 min | 240 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | PMI | EC-Council |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
CAPM — Prerequisites
High school diploma + 23 hours of project management education
CEH — Prerequisites
2 years IT security experience or EC-Council official training
Get CAPM if…
- •You're entering cybersecurity and need a recognised entry point
- •You want a +$8,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from PMI
Get CEH if…
- •You have 2–3 years of IT experience and want to specialise
- •You want a +$15,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from EC-Council
Best CAPM courses
Best CEH courses
Frequently asked questions
Is CAPM harder than CEH?
CEH is harder — rated intermediate vs beginner.
Which pays more — CAPM or CEH?
CAPM has an average salary uplift of +$8,000/yr, while CEH has +$15,000/yr. CEH has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — CAPM or CEH?
CAPM is the better starting point — it's rated beginner and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward CEH.