CEH
Certified Ethical Hacker — offensive security certification covering penetration testing methodologies and hacking tools.
Full guide →Professional Scrum Master I
Validates knowledge of the Scrum framework and ability to apply it in real-world agile environments as a Scrum Master.
Full guide →CEH vs Professional Scrum Master I
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | CEH | Professional Scrum Master I |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $1199 USD | ✓$200 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | ✓+$15,000/yr | +$9,000/yr |
| Passing score | 70/1000 | 85/1000 |
| Exam duration | 240 min | 60 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | EC-Council | Scrum.org |
| Difficulty |
CEH
2 years IT security experience or EC-Council official training
Professional Scrum Master I
None required
- You have 2–4 years in security and want to specialise your role
- You want a potential +$15,000/yr salary uplift
- You're drawn to offensive security, ethical hacking, or red-team work
- You're new to project management or switching careers from another field
- You want a potential +$9,000/yr salary uplift
- You work in agile teams and want to formalise Scrum Master skills
CEH and Professional Scrum Master I lead to entirely different careers — cybersecurity vs project management. The right choice depends on which field aligns with your current job or target role. If you want both eventually, start with Professional Scrum Master I — it's the quicker win at the beginner level.
Best CEH courses
Best Professional Scrum Master I courses
Is CEH harder than Professional Scrum Master I?
CEH is harder — rated intermediate vs beginner.
Which pays more — CEH or Professional Scrum Master I?
CEH has an average salary uplift of +$15,000/yr, while Professional Scrum Master I has +$9,000/yr. CEH has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — CEH or Professional Scrum Master I?
Professional Scrum Master I is the better starting point — it's rated beginner and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward CEH.
Can I get both CEH and Professional Scrum Master I?
Yes — many professionals hold both. CEH and Professional Scrum Master I complement each other, covering cybersecurity and project management respectively. Holding both signals broader expertise and typically commands a higher salary than either cert alone.
Which is worth it in 2026 — CEH or Professional Scrum Master I?
Both are worth it in 2026. CEH offers a +$15,000/yr average salary uplift; Professional Scrum Master I offers +$9,000/yr. CEH has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.