CompTIA PenTest+ vs CEH
Which certification is right for your career? Here's the full breakdown.
CompTIA
CompTIA PenTest+
PT0-003
Hands-on penetration testing certification covering planning, scoping, vulnerability scanning, and reporting.
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 | CompTIA PenTest+ | CEH |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | ✓$404 USD | $1199 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$14,000/yr | ✓+$15,000/yr |
| Exam duration | 165 min | 240 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | CompTIA | EC-Council |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
CompTIA PenTest+ — Prerequisites
Network+, Security+, or 3-4 years hands-on experience
CEH — Prerequisites
2 years IT security experience or EC-Council official training
Get CompTIA PenTest+ if…
- •You have 2–3 years of IT experience and want to specialise
- •You want a +$14,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from CompTIA
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 CompTIA PenTest+ courses
Best CEH courses
Frequently asked questions
Is CompTIA PenTest+ harder than CEH?
Both CompTIA PenTest+ and CEH are rated intermediate difficulty.
Which pays more — CompTIA PenTest+ or CEH?
CompTIA PenTest+ has an average salary uplift of +$14,000/yr, while CEH has +$15,000/yr. CEH has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — CompTIA PenTest+ or CEH?
CompTIA PenTest+ is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward CEH.