If you’re considering a role in cybersecurity, you may be wondering what kind of salary to expect. While your total compensation package will vary by organization, how much education you have, and your experience level, cybersecurity professionals generally find occupations that offer salaries well over six figures as they progress in their careers. If you aspire to reach the C-suite, you may consider working toward chief information security officer (CISO) roles, which average over $200,000 annually.
According to CyberSeek, a cybersecurity specialist can expect to earn an average salary of $106,265, and a cybersecurity manager can expect to earn an average of $128,665. These professionals are tasked with monitoring their company’s networks for security breaches, maintaining software to protect sensitive information, check for vulnerabilities, develop security protocol, recommend security measures to the C-suite, and help the organization’s network users with security products and services. Jobs in cybersecurity are expected to grow by 36% over the next decade, with more than 62,000 new positions opening, according to Lightcast.
The need for cybersecurity professionals is growing because attacks on networks and computer systems are increasing and becoming more sophisticated. In March, the White House released its National Cybersecurity Strategy, noting that “We must realign incentives to favor long-term investments by striking a careful balance between defending ourselves against urgent threats today and simultaneously strategically planning for and investing in a resilient future.”
The following is a general list of cybersecurity job titles and salaries for the U.S. Job title descriptions come from the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS):
Information Security Analyst
Responsible for the analysis and development of integration, testing, operations, and maintenance of systems security.
Median annual salary: $102,600 (Source)
Cybersecurity Architect
Ensures that the stakeholder security requirements necessary to protect the organization’s mission and business processes are adequately addressed in all aspects of enterprise architecture.
Median annual salary: $120,520 (Source)
Information Systems Security Manager
Responsible for the cybersecurity of a program, organization, system, or enclave.
Median annual salary: $159,010 (Source)
IT Program Auditor
Conducts evaluations of an IT program or its individual components to determine compliance with published standards.
Median annual salary: $84,00 (Source)
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Systems Administrator
Responsible for setting up and maintaining a system or specific components of a system, such as installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software.
Median annual salary: $80,600 (Source)
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Executes decision-making authorities and establishes vision and direction for an organization’s cyber-related operations.
Median annual salary: $230,204 (Source)
Threat/Warning Analyst
Develops cyber indicators to maintain awareness of the status of a highly dynamic operating environment. Collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates cyber threat/warning assessments.
Median annual salary: $79,343 (Source)
Senior Systems Engineer
Designs, develops, tests, and evaluates information systems throughout the systems development lifecycle.
Median annual salary: $166,500 (Source)
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- Digital Forensics
- Cyber Response
- Governance & Leadership
- Security Architecture
Ready to learn more? Check out the program’s curriculum or connect with a helpful enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or learn@uwex.edu.
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