Cybersecurity Career Salary: What to Expect
When deciding on a career in cybersecurity, it’s important to know what kind of salary you can expect. The salaries in this field can vary a great deal depending on experience, specialization and location. The modest range is where entry level positions may be, but as you acquire skills and certifications your earning potential can rise considerably.
Security architects and ethical hackers and such other senior roles or specialized positions can demand very good figures, while mid level professionals get quite competitive salaries. Furthermore, there is a strong demand for cybersecurity experts. It usually bears positive reflection on salaries and benefits.
Companies are prepared to pay for talent in order to protect their data and systems. It is also important to mention that some sectors, including finance and government, may have higher salaries due to the complexity of security requirements. Therefore, your initial salary may not be so great, but there is a great growth opportunity for you in the cybersecurity field. There is a great potential for a rewarding financial future with dedication and continuous learning in this dynamic field.
Salary Stats by State
| Security Analyst | Cybersecurity Consultant | Penetration Tester | Security Engineer | Incident Responder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $140,730 /yr | AVG. $136,463 /yr | AVG. $118,325 /yr | AVG. $121,280 /yr | AVG. $166,786 /yr |
| 90th: $212,650 /yr | 90th: $186,154 /yr | 90th: $158,500 /yr | 90th: $162,500 /yr | 90th: $197,500 /yr |
| Security Architect | Application Security Engineer | Forensic Computer Analyst | Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst | Chief Information Security Officer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $107,920 /yr | AVG. $108,409 /yr | AVG. $183,312 /yr | AVG. $85,342 /yr | AVG. $142,569 /yr |
| 90th: $146,500 /yr | 90th: $142,500 /yr | 90th: $273,511 /yr | 90th: $115,500 /yr | 90th: $180,500 /yr |
| Cloud Security Specialist | Crytographer | Compliance Analyst | Identity and Access Management Specialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $83,012 /yr | AVG. $77,677 /yr | AVG. $88,015 /yr | AVG. $72,255 /yr |
| 90th: $116,500 /yr | 90th: $115,000 /yr | 90th: $127,500 /yr | 90th: $87,000 /yr |
| Security Analyst | Cybersecurity Consultant | Penetration Tester | Security Engineer | Incident Responder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $120,000 /yr | AVG. $140,000 /yr | AVG. $125,000 /yr | AVG. $140,000 /yr | AVG. $115,000 /yr |
| 90th: $180,000 /yr | 90th: $200,000 /yr | 90th: $190,000 /yr | 90th: $210,000 /yr | 90th: $175,000 /yr |
| Security Architect | Application Security Engineer | Forensic Computer Analyst | Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst | Chief Information Security Officer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $155,000 /yr | AVG. $130,000 /yr | AVG. $105,000 /yr | AVG. $115,000 /yr | AVG. $210,000 /yr |
| 90th: $230,000 /yr | 90th: $200,000 /yr | 90th: $160,00 /yr | 90th: $185,000 /yr | 90th: $500,000 /yr |
| Cloud Security Specialist | Crytographer | Compliance Analyst | Identity and Access Management Specialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $145,000 /yr | AVG. $130,000 /yr | AVG. $95,000 /yr | AVG. $115,000 /yr |
| 90th: $220,000 /yr | 90th: $200,000 /yr | 90th: $140,000 /yr | 90th: $180,000 /yr |
| Security Analyst | Cybersecurity Consultant | Penetration Tester | Security Engineer | Incident Responder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $110,000 /yr | AVG. $130,000 /yr | AVG. $120,000 /yr | AVG. $130,000 /yr | AVG. $110,000 /yr |
| 90th: $160,000 /yr | 90th: $190,000 /yr | 90th: $180,000 /yr | 90th: $200,000 /yr | 90th: $170,000 /yr |
| Security Architect | Application Security Engineer | Forensic Computer Analyst | Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst | Chief Information Security Officer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $145,000 /yr | AVG. $120,000 /yr | AVG. $95,000 /yr | AVG. $105,000 /yr | AVG. $210,000 /yr |
| 90th: $220,000 /yr | 90th: $190,000 /yr | 90th: $170,000 /yr | 90th: $170,000 /yr | 90th: $450,000 /yr |
| Cloud Security Specialist | Crytographer | Compliance Analyst | Identity and Access Management Specialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $130,000 /yr | AVG. $115,000 /yr | AVG. $87,500 /yr | AVG. $105,000 /yr |
| 90th: $210,000 /yr | 90th: $180,000 /yr | 90th: $140,000 /yr | 90th: $170,000 /yr |
| Security Analyst | Cybersecurity Consultant | Penetration Tester | Security Engineer | Incident Responder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $115,000 /yr | AVG. $145,000 /yr | AVG. $125,000 /yr | AVG. $130,000 /yr | AVG. $110,000 /yr |
| 90th: $175,000 /yr | 90th: $220,000 /yr | 90th: $200,000 /yr | 90th: $220,000 /yr | 90th: $170,000 /yr |
| Security Architect | Application Security Engineer | Forensic Computer Analyst | Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst | Chief Information Security Officer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $165,000 /yr | AVG. $135,000 /yr | AVG. $105,000 /yr | AVG. $115,000 /yr | AVG. $235,000 /yr |
| 90th: $250,000 /yr | 90th: $210,000 /yr | 90th: $170,000 /yr | 90th: $190,000 /yr | 90th: $500,000 /yr |
| Cloud Security Specialist | Crytographer | Compliance Analyst | Identity and Access Management Specialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $145,000 /yr | AVG. $125,000 /yr | AVG. $97,500 /yr | AVG. $115,000 /yr |
| 90th: $240,000 /yr | 90th: $200,000 /yr | 90th: $160,000 /yr | 90th: $180,000 /yr |
| Security Analyst | Cybersecurity Consultant | Penetration Tester | Security Engineer | Incident Responder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $92,500 /yr | AVG. $115,000 /yr | AVG. $107,500 /yr | AVG. $115,000 /yr | AVG. $97,500 /yr |
| 90th: $140,000 /yr | 90th: $180,000 /yr | 90th: $170,000 /yr | 90th: $185,000 /yr | 90th: $160,000 /yr |
| Security Architect | Application Security Engineer | Forensic Computer Analyst | Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst | Chief Information Security Officer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $140,000 /yr | AVG. $110,000 /yr | AVG. $90,000 /yr | AVG. $100,000 /yr | AVG. $205,000 /yr |
| 90th: $220,000 /yr | 90th: $180,000 /yr | 90th: $150,000 /yr | 90th: $165,000 /yr | 90th: $450,000 /yr |
| Cloud Security Specialist | Crytographer | Compliance Analyst | Identity and Access Management Specialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. $122,500 /yr | AVG. $107,500 /yr | AVG. $82,500 /yr | AVG. $97,500 /yr |
| 90th: $200,000 /yr | 90th: $170,000 /yr | 90th: $130,000 /yr | 90th: $160,000 /yr |
Cybersecurity Salary by Industry
Finance
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Due to the sensitivity of financial data and the high risks involved in the finance sector, cybersecurity professionals can expect competitive salaries. The starting range for entry level positions is quite good and is generally higher than the average of the entire industry. There is a good chance of increase in salary as you acquire experience and skills in areas such as risk management or compliance. Attractive compensation is offered by mid level positions, while senior positions like cybersecurity directors or chief information security officers can earn outstanding salaries. Strong security measures are needed in the finance industry, making it a lucrative field for cybersecurity experts.
Insurance
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Cybersecurity professionals in the insurance industry are vital in protecting sensitive client data and managing risk. Starting salaries are competitive, usually higher than the industry average for entry-level positions. This is because as you progress, your earning potential rises, especially when you gain experience in areas like data protection and fraud prevention. The compensation is appealing for mid-level positions, while senior positions like cybersecurity directors or risk management executives can earn substantial salaries. This is because the insurance sector is placing increasingly more emphasis on cybersecurity leading to growing demand for skilled professionals and, in turn, improving salary prospects and career growth opportunities in this area.
Healthcare
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Cybersecurity professionals are increasingly valuable in the healthcare sector for their role in protecting sensitive patient information. The starting salary is generally higher than the general market average for entry level positions. This is because as you progress in your career, especially in positions that require compliance with regulations like HIPAA, your earning potential will rise. Salaries for mid-level positions are attractive, while senior positions such as chief information security officers or healthcare IT security managers can command significantly higher compensation. This is because the demand for skilled cybersecurity experts in healthcare is continuing to rise with the growth in digital health initiatives.
Energy
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In the energy sector, cybersecurity professionals are vital to protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data. Competitive starting salaries are usually offered by entry level positions, salaries that are either on par with or only slightly below the industry standard. This is especially the case when it comes to experience in areas like industrial control systems and risk assessment; your earning potential can rise significantly as you gain more experience. Attractive compensation is provided by mid level roles, while impressive salaries can be commanded by senior positions, such as cybersecurity managers or chief information security officers. This is because the demand for skilled professionals in this sector is rising as well, due to the growing focus on securing energy resources from cyber threats; as a result, both salary prospects and career advancement opportunities are enhanced.
What Factors Determine Cybersecurity Salaries?
The cybersecurity salary landscape is rather dynamic due to several key factors that determine it. First of all, experience is an important one. The more years you have in the field, the more money you will make. Specialization is equally important; technical demands being high, roles that are more focused on penetration testing or threat intelligence analysts often command higher pay.
Does location matter? Salaries can differ significantly with respect to cost of living and demand in different areas. Industry sector is another factor; financial or health care sector based positions are likely to offer better compensation than non-profit sector ones. Last of all, certifications can boost your value. Having recognized credentials like CISSP or CEH will result in higher salaries and more job availability.