CompTIA PenTest+
Hands-on penetration testing certification covering planning, scoping, vulnerability scanning, and reporting.
Full guide →AWS Solutions Architect Associate
The most sought-after cloud certification — covers designing resilient, high-performing, cost-optimised AWS architectures.
Full guide →CompTIA PenTest+ vs AWS Solutions Architect Associate
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | CompTIA PenTest+ | AWS Solutions Architect Associate |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $404 USD | ✓$300 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$14,000/yr | ✓+$18,000/yr |
| Passing score | 750/1000 | 720/1000 |
| Exam duration | 165 min | 130 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | CompTIA | Amazon Web Services |
| Difficulty |
CompTIA PenTest+
Network+, Security+, or 3-4 years hands-on experience
AWS Solutions Architect Associate
AWS Cloud Practitioner recommended, 1 year hands-on AWS experience
- You have 2–4 years in security and want to specialise your role
- You want a potential +$14,000/yr salary uplift
- You're drawn to offensive security, ethical hacking, or red-team work
- You have hands-on cloud experience and want to move into engineering or architecture
- You want a potential +$18,000/yr salary uplift
- You want to design and optimise cloud architectures, not just operate them
CompTIA PenTest+ and AWS Solutions Architect Associate lead to entirely different careers — cybersecurity vs cloud computing. The right choice depends on which field aligns with your current job or target role. If you want both eventually, start with CompTIA PenTest+ — it's the quicker win at the intermediate level.
Best CompTIA PenTest+ courses
Best AWS Solutions Architect Associate courses
Is CompTIA PenTest+ harder than AWS Solutions Architect Associate?
Both CompTIA PenTest+ and AWS Solutions Architect Associate are rated intermediate difficulty.
Which pays more — CompTIA PenTest+ or AWS Solutions Architect Associate?
CompTIA PenTest+ has an average salary uplift of +$14,000/yr, while AWS Solutions Architect Associate has +$18,000/yr. AWS Solutions Architect Associate has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — CompTIA PenTest+ or AWS Solutions Architect Associate?
CompTIA PenTest+ is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward AWS Solutions Architect Associate.
Can I get both CompTIA PenTest+ and AWS Solutions Architect Associate?
Yes — many professionals hold both. CompTIA PenTest+ and AWS Solutions Architect Associate complement each other, covering cybersecurity and cloud computing respectively. Holding both signals broader expertise and typically commands a higher salary than either cert alone.
Which is worth it in 2026 — CompTIA PenTest+ or AWS Solutions Architect Associate?
Both are worth it in 2026. CompTIA PenTest+ offers a +$14,000/yr average salary uplift; AWS Solutions Architect Associate offers +$18,000/yr. AWS Solutions Architect Associate has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.