Demand for cybersecurity specialists has soared in the last decade due to increasing rates of cybercrime. As a result, careers in cybersecurity bring numerous benefits, including job security and a relatively high income.
In this article, we’ll highlight the average cybersecurity salary, including income differences by position and state
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for information security analysts is $102,600. This salary is more than double the national median earnings of workers across all industries ($45,760).
Cybersecurity salary potential tends to be so high due to the delicate nature of the job and the increasing economic demand for cybersecurity professionals
Salary by Industry
An upside of working as a cybersecurity specialist is getting to choose from a variety of industries. As a cybersecurity professional, the specific industry you work for plays a major role in determining your annual income.
Let’s look at some top-paying industries where experts in cybersecurity are in demand, according to the BLS.
Remediation and other waste management services. Information security analysts in this sector earn an average annual wage of $173,250.
Other information services. This IT subsector pays an average of $149,540 to cybersecurity experts.
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing. Cybersecurity professionals in this field earn an average of $144,040.
Securities and other financial investment sectors. These fields pay an average cybersecurity salary of $142,070.
Motion picture and video industries. This entertainment subsector pays information security analysts an average annual wage of $141,070.
Salary by State.
Aside from industry, geographical location is a crucial determinant of cybersecurity salary. Salaries differ by state because employers often use their state’s income tax rate and cost of living to determine salary.
It makes sense that the highest cybersecurity salaries are paid in metropolitan areas with relatively high living costs. Check out the list below to see states where professionals can earn high average cybersecurity salaries, according to the BLS.
California: $135,200
New York: $133,210
Maryland: $126,110
Iowa: $125,650
District of Columbia: $124,980
Cybersecurity Salaries by Position
Cybersecurity salaries may also vary depending on experience level and role. Generally speaking, however, the earning potential in this industry is so high that even an entry-level cybersecurity specialist could make a six-figure income.
As of August 2022, Cyberseek lists the figures below as the average income levels of cybersecurity professionals in various positions.
Entry-Level Roles
Newbies in this industry typically spend three to five years in entry-level cybersecurity jobs to acquire foundational experience. You’ll see from the figures below that an entry-level position in cybersecurity doesn’t equate to low pay.
Cybersecurity Specialist
Average Annual Salary: $104,480
Job Openings: 11,150
Position Summary: A cybersecurity specialist searches for network and system threats through regular vulnerability scans. They develop security strategies aimed at protecting their company’s data integrity.
Cybercrime Analyst
Average Annual Salary: $100,000
Job Openings: 1,388
Position Summary: This professional investigates malware attacks, the people behind them and the damages caused. A cybercrime analyst also works to recover sensitive data that may be valuable to a court case.
Incident and Intrusion Analyst
Average Annual Salary: $88,230
Job Openings: 11,169
Position Summary: An incident and intrusion analyst detects security threats to an organization’s network. They also prevent the escalation of those threats and report their findings to senior cybersecurity experts.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Average Annual Salary: $107,500
Job Openings: 39,629
Position Summary: This position involves the analysis of cyber attacks, malware and the behavior of cybercriminals. Post-analysis, the cybersecurity analyst develops security measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks.
Cybersecurity Consultant
Average Annual Salary: $92,500
Job Openings: 27,226
Position Summary: A cybersecurity consultant tests an organization’s network security, detects vulnerabilities and designs a better security system.
Cybersecurity Job Outlook
In 2016, the unemployment rate for cybersecurity fell to 0% and has remained at that level ever since. The talent gap is still widening today. Cybercrime Magazine projected that there would be 3.5 million job openings in the cybersecurity field by 2025.
The cybersecurity industry affords more job security than many other professions. For example, according to the BLS, jobs for information security analysts will grow by 33% from 2020 to 2030. This rate is four times faster than the average employment growth rate of all occupations nationwide.
Credits Forbes
