Midwest: CompTIA Salary & Test-Center Guide
Lower cost of living; insurance and logistics IT.
Salary data for Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana.
CompTIA salaries across Midwest
Averages below cover the 4 metros in this region. A Security+ role averages $88,000, topping out at $95,000 in Chicago.
regional average
Range $82,000–$95,000 · top pay in Chicago
regional average
Range $69,000–$80,000 · top pay in Chicago
regional average
Range $56,000–$65,000 · top pay in Chicago
| City | Security+ | Network+ | A+ | Test centers | Job market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $95,000 | $80,000 | $65,000 | 15 | high |
| Minneapolis, MN | $90,000 | $75,000 | $61,000 | 6 | high |
| Columbus, OH | $85,000 | $71,000 | $58,000 | 6 | moderate |
| Indianapolis, IN | $82,000 | $69,000 | $56,000 | 5 | moderate |
Salaries are average estimates for certified professionals; test-center counts are approximate Pearson VUE locations in each metro area.
What the Midwest market looks like
Chicago, Minneapolis, Columbus, and Indianapolis pair lower costs of living with deep insurance, logistics, and corporate-IT employers. Salaries run below the coasts, but so does rent — the gap narrows once cost of living is factored in.
SecuSpark is online-only — you study from anywhere in the region. The Security+ exam itself costs $439 at a Pearson VUE center; practicing here is free.
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CompTIA salaries in other regions
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