Career Outlook
Experts with sophisticated cybersecurity abilities operate in a "seller's market," where employers and government organizations are vying for the best employees and there is no unemployment.
"The right person can command over $400,000 at the very highest levels," PEAK Technical Staffing vice president Paul Smith said to CSO. "Due to corporations' severe issues with foreign espionage, the commercial sectors are robbing the NSA and CIA of personnel like crazy." The need for those who are aware of these dangers has increased dramatically.
This is the outcome of a well-documented skills shortfall in cybersecurity, which will leave roughly 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs open worldwide by 2023. While some demand very specific experience, others may be more accessible with the aid of an industry certification or associated master's degree.
10 Top-Paying Cybersecurity Jobs
This list is compiled from multiple industry sources, including Mondo, CSO, CyberSeek, Indeed, ZipRecruiter and Salary.com.
Note: Salary estimates vary and are often adjusted in real-time based on changing data. In addition, these jobs are not ranked in any particular way.
1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
The executive in question has primary responsibility for the information and data security of the company, and typically, compensation increases with the size of the company. According to wage.com, the median wage is $239,839, while some people make much more than $300,000. A base salary of about $275,000 is the starting point for many CISOs, however a select few may receive a total remuneration package that approaches half a million dollars, according to Hunt Scanlon Media.
However, bear in mind that the range of pay is wide and will rely on several aspects, such as the particular role, the level of expertise needed, and the organization. CSO rates the CISO salary range at $105,000 to $264,000 with an average compensation of $118,260.
A bachelor's degree in computer science or a similar discipline, at least five years of management experience, familiarity with a wide range of security technologies and procedures, and familiarity with laws that impact your business and industry are common requirements for this post, according to CSO.
2. Lead Software Security Engineer
According to ZipRecruiter, a lead software security engineer's yearly salary is $146,059, with top earners earning around $200,000. Since 94% of enterprises use the cloud, the projected value of the worldwide cloud computing market by 2022 is close to $480.04 billion.
As a result, employment opportunities for cloud security engineers are expanding. According to Glassdoor, the average compensation for engineers is $151,000, with higher-level engineers making roughly $193,000.
3. Cybersecurity Sales Engineer
Cybersecurity involves more than just computer experts thwarting assaults and thwarting hackers; new and creative technological solutions are always being introduced to the market. Most programmers love to code, yet some leave to work in sales because of the greater salary. The national average income for cybersecurity sales engineers is approximately $115,000, according to ZipRecruiter.
4. Cybersecurity Architect
CyberSeek lists an average pay of $147,142, noting that 28% of businesses hiring for this role request a master's degree. IT security architecture, computer science, identity and access management, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and authentication are among the top competencies sought for this role. Cybersecurity architects typically earn $141,799 per year, with certain professions paying over $200,000.
5. Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator
According to Mondo, experts in this role, also known as information security managers and information systems security managers, make between $150,00 and $225,000 annually. Important duties usually include managing the information systems team, strengthening security to protect sensitive firm data, and locating possible points of weakness.
6. Penetration Tester
The experts carrying out this vital task are frequently referred to as "ethical hackers." A growing number of major companies are employing full-time staff members or independent contractors to hack into their computer networks in order to find and fix security holes that could be used by hackers. According to CyberSeek, penetration and vulnerability testers make, on average, $124,424 annually, and 22% of recruiting managers require a graduate degree.
7. Information Security Analyst
With a typical pay of $102,600, this position is ranked close to the top of U.S. News & World Report's lists of the 100 Best Jobs, Best STEM Jobs, and Best Technology Jobs. Information security analysts are referred to as "the gatekeepers or security guards of information systems" because of the broad range of duties they are responsible for in terms of stopping, observing, and reacting to cyberattacks and data breaches. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this field is predicted to increase by 32% between 2022 and 2032.
8. Application Security Engineer
The compensation range for an application security engineer is $130,000 to $200,000 according to Mondo.
All software, including business applications, will be secured by an application security engineer, who will also ensure that privacy and security features are integrated into the program.
This position is essential for any company wishing to incorporate technologies, such as AWS or Azure, into their daily operations, claims Mondo. Application security engineers may assist stop hackers and malevolent systems from trying to compromise the integrity of your infrastructure by providing the experience and skill sets necessary to guarantee the security and stability of your internal and external applications.
9. Network Security Engineer
Virtual private networks, firewalls, routers, and other network and security-related hardware and software are under the purview of a network security engineer. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average yearly pay is $129,888, with compensation ranges ranging from $39,500 to $158,500.
10. Director of Information Security (IT)
According to Mondo, "directors must have strong security abilities, the capacity to manage and mentor security personnel, and a thorough grasp of the businesses in which they work. They need to understand how the firm assesses risk in order to deploy effort and resources effectively." Mondo shows the average income for a director of IT security as $170,981, with a range of $123,000 to $237,000.
Skills Needed to Succeed
There are a large variety of skills needed to succeed in a cybersecurity position, including:
- Computer programming and coding experience
- Network and security configuration knowledge
- Coursework in cloud computing infrastructure and services, computer programming in Java, network and security foundations and network and security applications
- Knowledge of encryption technologies
- Security incident handling and response
- Understanding of the latest threats, processes and strategies
- Problem-solving
- Effective communication skills
- Self-direction
- Drive
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Creativity
- Strong work ethic
Education Needed
The majority of professions require at least a bachelor's or associate's degree in information technology or security, while exact requirements vary based on experience level and position. A master's degree or certifications may be required by employers, especially for high-paying cybersecurity roles.
Recommended Certifications
By diversifying your expertise, a number of cybersecurity certifications could make you stand out from the competitors. While certain certifications are recommended for applicants at the entry level, others are more advanced and specialized. Some may even be required for particular positions. Below is a summary of the most typical:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)
- SANS/Global Information Assurance Certification (GISC)
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Ethical Packer (CEH)
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
- Certified Cloud Security Professional
- GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
Salary Outlook
As we mentioned earlier, many top-paying cybersecurity positions typically earn anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 — with some senior-level jobs paying as much as $400,000 or more. It’s important to note that your salary will depend on a number of factors, including the position itself, the company, where the job is located, associated responsibilities and how much experience is required.
Best Job Locations
According to ExoticCareers, the 10 best cities for cybersecurity jobs include:
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Washington, D.C
- Augusta, Georgia
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Utica, New York
- Silicon Valley Cities
- Santa Barbara, California
- Denver, Colorado
- Austin, Texas
The geographic concentration of jobs in a city, not the size of the city, is the qualification for this ranking. There are the most cybersecurity employment opportunities in Washington, D.C., and the states with the highest incomes are New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Maine, and D.C.
The top 10 paying states for cybersecurity jobs are:
- Washington, D.C.
- New Jersey
- Maryland
- Maine
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Delaware
- Connecticut
- California
- New Hampshire
It goes without saying that, now that everyone is concerned about the cybercrime epidemic, there is a significant hiring drive taking place at companies of all kinds.
Therefore, by obtaining industry certifications and enrolling in advanced degree programs, information technology professionals and those who wish to position themselves for success in this crucial and quickly expanding field are improving their abilities. All things considered, there are plenty of chances in the cybersecurity industry to carry out substantial and worthwhile work and to be compensated handsomely for it.
Some Other Additional Cybersecurity Careers You Might Be Interested In
Interested in a cybersecurity career? Here are some other popular options:
- Ethical Hacker
- Security Consultant
- Network Administrator
- System Administrator
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Security Auditor
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Cybersecurity Consultant