Penetration testers command $125K average. AI security specialists earn 25% premiums. Get certified in 8 weeks. 94% pass rate. €950 all-inclusive.
Reality check: The skills gap is massive. Here's what employers actually pay.
The Truth: Certifications signal commitment, but hands-on skills + proven impact get you hired. CEH v13's 220+ labs give you both.
Choose your track. CEH v13 is the optimal entry for paths #1, #2, and #4.
Junior → Senior → Red Team Lead
Tier 1 → Tier 2 → Tier 3 → Hunter
Admin → CloudSec → Architect
AI Sec Analyst → Engineer → Architect
Analyst → Manager → Director
CEH wins on ROI + reviews + AI content (future-proof).
| Certification | Trustpilot | Salary ROI | Study Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CEH v13Best ROI | 4.5/5 | 6 months | 8 weeks | €950 | Fastest to $100K+ |
Security+ | 3.7/5 | 12 months | 6 weeks | €400 | Entry-level foundation |
CISSP | 3.5/5 | 18 months | 6 months | €760 | Management (5y exp req) |
OSCP | N/A | 9 months | 6 months | €1,599 | Elite pentesters |
From zero to $105K pentester in 3 months. Here's the exact roadmap.
The CISO perspective on hiring 200+ cybersecurity professionals.
The Pattern: CEH v13 is the fastest entry to penetration testing. 80% of junior pentesters started with CEH.
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v13 is the world's #1 ethical hacking certification. Updated with AI-powered security modules, it's your fastest path to a $100K+ career.
CEH v13 is the best ROI certification for 2026. With 41% of companies reporting critical skills gaps, CEH-certified professionals are in massive demand. CEH has 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating, 6-month salary ROI, and includes AI security modules not found in other certifications. 80% of junior pentesters started with CEH.
Entry-level (with CEH): $95-110K. Penetration testers average $125K. Senior pentesters: $160K. Red Team leads: $200K+. AI security specialists earn 25% premiums. Cloud security engineers (36% growth) earn $110-175K.
CEH v13: 8 weeks with focused study. Our program has a 94% first-attempt pass rate. Security+ takes 6 weeks. CISSP requires 6 months and 5 years experience. OSCP takes 6 months. For fastest ROI, CEH v13 is optimal.
Absolutely. 41% of companies have critical skills gaps. 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs are unfilled globally. Certified professionals earn 44% more. The question isn't whether to get certified—it's which certification gets you hired fastest. CEH v13 is the answer.
Based on CISO hiring perspectives: Junior roles ($95-110K) need CEH + 3 solid lab reports + basic Linux/Python. The key is hands-on proof, not just certifications. CEH v13's 220+ labs give you both the cert and the portfolio.
Yes! CEH v13 is available fully online with remote proctored exams. Our bundle includes 220+ hands-on labs, 1,500+ practice questions, video tutorials, and the exam voucher. Everything you need to pass, delivered instantly.
For penetration testing (highest ROI): Get CEH v13 certified in 8 weeks. Hands-on labs, AI-powered content, $95-150K career unlocked.
50,000+ professionals certified. 4.5/5 Trustpilot. Instant voucher delivery.