PMP vs CEH
Which certification is right for your career? Here's the full breakdown.
PMI
PMP
PMP
The gold-standard project management certification recognized globally — validates ability to lead projects across any methodology.
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 | PMP | CEH |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | ✓$555 USD | $1199 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | ✓+$25,000/yr | +$15,000/yr |
| Exam duration | 230 min | 240 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | PMI | EC-Council |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Intermediate |
PMP — Prerequisites
4-year degree + 36 months leading projects + 35 hours PM education (or 60 months with high school diploma)
CEH — Prerequisites
2 years IT security experience or EC-Council official training
Get PMP if…
- •You're aiming for senior or management roles in security
- •You want a +$25,000/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 PMP courses
Best CEH courses
Frequently asked questions
Is PMP harder than CEH?
PMP is harder — rated advanced vs intermediate.
Which pays more — PMP or CEH?
PMP has an average salary uplift of +$25,000/yr, while CEH has +$15,000/yr. PMP has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — PMP or CEH?
CEH is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward PMP.