A lucrative, growing field, cybersecurity focuses on protecting organizations from digital attacks and keeping their information and networks safe. Cybersecurity experts detect vulnerabilities, recommend software and hardware programs that can mitigate risks, and develop policies and procedures for maintaining security.
As more businesses move their operations online, and with cyberattacks on the rise, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals is projected to grow, particularly for healthcare and financial organizations.
But cyberattacks cause problems for companies across industries, including hospitality and insurance. Hackers exploit security weaknesses to collect private information such as social security and credit card numbers, medical data, passwords, and company secrets. Hackers may then sell this information to the highest bidder or ransom it back to the company from which they stole it.
The cybersecurity field presents diverse career opportunities. Potential jobs include information security analyst, chief information security officer, security architect, and security engineer. The most popular industries that employ cybersecurity professionals include computer systems design and related services; management of companies and enterprises; credit intermediation and related activities; and management, scientific, and technical consulting services.
This guide describes the types of careers available to cybersecurity professionals, including potential salaries, job duties, and the best cities and industries to pursue cybersecurity jobs. We also explain how to prepare for a career in the cybersecurity field.
Top Online CyberSecurity Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Top 10 Cybersecurity Jobs by Salary
| Cybersecurity Career | Average Annual Salary | Top-Paying City by Career |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Information Security Officer | $165,788 | New York, NY |
| Security Architect, IT | $125,463 | New York, NY |
| Security Manager, IT | $112,109 | Dallas, TX |
| Security Assessor | $102,500 | N/A* |
| Security Engineer | $94,730 | San Francisco, CA |
| Information Security Consultant | $85,430 | N/A* |
| Security Director | $88,144 | Washington, DC |
| Incident Manager | $84,037 | New York, NY |
| Information Security Specialist | $76,821 | Phoenix, AZ |
| Penetration Tester | $87,737 | 2 hours |
Source: PayScale
*Based on available data
Learn more about the degrees needed for these careers:
Cybersecurity Careers
The cybersecurity field encompasses a large variety of exciting, rewarding career paths. Cybersecurity salary expectations, job duties, and education requirements vary by career. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most popular cybersecurity jobs, including common tasks, average salaries, education and training requirements, and top-paying cities.
Best Locations for Jobs in Cybersecurity
The state and city where a professional chooses to live can affect salary and career outlook in the cybersecurity field. For example, densely populated major cities typically feature higher costs of living but offer higher salaries than more rural areas.
The presence of certain high-paying and top-employing industries also impacts the outlook for cybersecurity jobs in different locations. Cities with large IT, healthcare, and finance sectors may need to hire more skilled cybersecurity experts. The tables and map below outline the annual mean wage by state for information security analysts. Because individual cybersecurity jobs include so much specialization, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) only highlights one cybersecurity career: information security analyst.
Information security analysts earned a median annual salary of $103,590 in 2020, making this career more lucrative than many others in the cybersecurity field. Typical job duties for information security analysts mirror those of many other cybersecurity positions, including installing and using software, detecting security breaches, researching IT security trends, and recommending security enhancements.
Top-Paying Cities for Key Cybersecurity Careers
Annual Mean Wage by State for Information Security Analysts
| Top-Paying States | Annual Mean Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $125,990 | 10,470 |
| New York | $125,920 | 6,450 |
| New Jersey | $123,280 | 4,000 |
| District of Columbia | $119,460 | 1,810 |
| Virginia | $116,920 | 16,160 |
Source: BLS, 2020
Employment by State for Information Security Analysts
| Top-Employing States | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $116,920 | 16,160 |
| Texas | $113,400 | 13,410 |
| California | $125,990 | 10,470 |
| Florida | $95,190 | 7,600 |
| Maryland | $111,310 | 7,090 |
Source: BLS, 2020
Key Industries for Cybersecurity Jobs
Since organizations of all kinds increasingly rely on computer networks and systems for their everyday operations, cybersecurity graduates can find careers in nearly any industry. However, some industries employ larger numbers of professionals and offer better compensation than others. Cybersecurity job requirements, titles, salaries, and duties may differ considerably between industries. Cybersecurity graduates should research the career and salary expectations typical for different industries prior to accepting a job offer.
The top employing industry for information security analysts is computer systems design and related services. Other major industries for information security analysts include management of companies and enterprises; credit intermediation and related activities; management, scientific, and technical consulting services; and insurance carriers.
Top-paying industries for information security analysts include nonresidential building construction, semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing, legal services, and automotive repair and maintenance. Another top-paying industry for information security analysts is finance. The tables below outline the top industries for information security analysts in further detail.
Annual Mean Wage by Industry for Information Security Analysts
| Top-Paying Industries | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses | $132,150 | 330 |
| Other Information Services | $131,050 | 680 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $128,330 | 790 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | $127,150 | 40 |
| Legal Services | $125,980 | 660 |
Source: BLS, 2020
Employment by Industry for Information Security Analysts
| Top-Employing Industries | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $108,910 | 36,280 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $104,960 | 13,330 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | $110,490 | 10,880 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $110,440 | 7,410 |
| Insurance Carriers | $103,230 | 5,450 |
Source: BLS, 2020
Top Online CyberSecurity Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Major Employers With Cybersecurity Jobs
Lockheed Martin: A global security, defense, advanced technologies, and aerospace company, Lockheed Martin
employs 110,000 people. The company engages in research, design, manufacturing, and development of advancedtechnology products, systems, and services. Cybersecurity graduates can find jobs at Lockheed Martin ascybersecurity engineers, classified cybersecurity senior staff, cyber systems security engineers, and defensivecyberspace operations analysts.
Apple: A global technology company, Apple ranks among the world's biggest tech companies. Some of its biggest
successes include the iPhone, iPad, Mac personal computer, and iTunes media player. Cybersecurity professionalscan find many roles at Apple, including as network security engineers, information security infrastructuresoftware engineers, senior security researchers, and Apple information security specialists.
Patient First: An American chain of urgent care centers, Patient First treats and diagnoses walk-in patients
that exhibit ailments. Relevant cybersecurity jobs at Patient First include a variety of roles related tosecuring sensitive patient health and financial information. Potential job titles may include data securityadministrator, computer specialist, and health data security analyst.
Capital One: One of the largest banks in the U.S, Capital One offers credit cards, banking, savings accounts,
and car loans. Its reputation as a technology-focused financial institution emphasizes its need forcybersecurity specialists, who make sure that the company's financial data stays secure.
Cisco: A multinational technology company, Cisco develops and sells software, networking hardware, and
telecommunications equipment. The company specializes in areas like the Internet of Things, energy management,and domain security. Potential cybersecurity jobs at Cisco include IT network and security engineer, cybernetwork engineer, and cybersecurity network engineer.
Northrop Grumman: An American defense and aerospace technology company, Northrop Grumman ranks among the largest
military technology providers and weapons manufacturers in the world. The company needs skilled cybersecurityprofessionals to ensure that their proprietary and classified information remains secure.
Learn More About How to Get a Job in Cybersecurity
Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Jobs
How do I get a job in cybersecurity?
Earning a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field prepares students for most entry-level cybersecurity careers.
What should I study for a career in cybersecurity?
Prospective cybersecurity professionals should study areas like cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field. Most cybersecurity employers require a bachelor's degree at minimum, but many prefer applicants with a master's degree.
How much can you make with a bachelor's in cybersecurity?
Earning a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity gives students the knowledge and practical skills neededfor a variety of well-paying jobs. PayScale reports an average annual salary of $72,000 for those with a BS in cybersecurity.
What are the best entry-level cybersecurity jobs?
Some of the top entry-level cybersecurity jobs include information security analyst, computer network analyst, security software developer, and security specialist.
How much does cybersecurity pay?
Salaries for cybersecurity jobs vary by position, education, experience, and industry, but typical cybersecurity jobs pay significantly more than the national median.
