Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)
AZ-500 vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) | CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional | CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker | CompTIA Security+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Microsoft | ISC2 | EC-Council | CompTIA |
| Level | Intermediate | Advanced | Intermediate | Beginner |
| Exam fee | $165 | $749 | $1,199 | $425 |
| Duration | — | — | 4 hours (MCQ) + 6 hours (practical) | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | — | — |
| Typical salary | $120K–$155K | $140K–$175K | $95K–$130K | $75K–$100K |
| Prerequisites | — | — | — | — |
Which should you choose?
Should I take AZ-500 or CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional first?
AZ-500 is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take AZ-500 or CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker first?
Both are rated Intermediate. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.
Should I take AZ-500 or CompTIA Security+ first?
CompTIA Security+ is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Intermediate), so it is usually the better first step.