With the increasing shift of our social lives and company data online, cybersecurity has become a top priority for many organizations.
If you’re interested in cybersecurity, this is promising news.
There are nearly half a million open cybersecurity jobs in the US alone, outnumbering the qualified professionals available.
Additionally, cybersecurity analysts are often well-compensated.
In this article, we’ll explore the expected earnings for cybersecurity analysts and the factors that can influence these salaries.
We’ll also discuss how you can start or advance your career in this field to maximize your earning potential.
Average Cybersecurity Analyst Salary?
The median salary for cybersecurity analysts in the US in 2023 was $120,360, or $57.87 per hour, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Cybersecurity Analyst Salaries by Experience
Experience significantly impacts earnings in the cybersecurity field. Hands-on experience is highly valued by companies, sometimes even more so than education. Here’s how the average base salary in the US changes with experience, based on PayScale data:
- Entry-level (less than 1 year): $68,202
- Early career (1 to 3 years): $77,485
- Mid-career (4 to 6 years): $84,431
- Experienced (10 to 14 years): $94,038
- Late career (15+ years): $99,821
Salaries by Location
Your location can significantly affect your salary. In major cities like Washington, DC, New York, and Birmingham, Alabama, average salaries are higher than the national average, according to PayScale.
However, living in larger cities is often more expensive, which can offset the higher salaries. For remote workers, many companies offer location-based salaries, which consider the employee’s location rather than the company’s.
Salaries by Certification
About 60% of cybersecurity positions require relevant certifications. Earning a certification can boost your earning potential. According to Global Knowledge’s IT Skills and Salary Survey, the following security certifications are associated with the highest salaries:
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): $162,347
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC): $167,145
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): $158,190
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): $142,336
Skills, role, and tenure also influence these figures.
How to Increase Your Cybersecurity Salary
Understanding potential earnings as a cybersecurity analyst is helpful, but let’s look at how you can boost your salary, even for an entry-level position.
Learn New Cybersecurity Skills
Companies seek professionals with strong cybersecurity skills to handle evolving threats. PayScale identifies the following skills as leading to significant salary increases for cybersecurity analysts:
- Vendor Management: Protect against attacks from third-party vendor networks.
- Intelligence Analysis: Collect and analyze data on potential threats to improve security practices.
- Network Support: Maintain and secure company computer networks.
- Identity Management: Ensure only authorized users access data and resources.
- Splunk: Use this SIEM system to detect and respond to security threats.
Earn Certification or Degree
While not always required, a degree can expand job opportunities and increase your salary. According to Zippia, 61% of cybersecurity analysts hold a bachelor’s degree, and 19% have an associate degree. Exploring degree options and cybersecurity majors can be beneficial.
For those with degrees or IT experience, earning a cybersecurity certification can lead to higher pay. Many companies cover certification courses and exam costs, so discuss options with your manager if you’re interested in pursuing a certification.
Negotiate Your Job Offer
When offered a cybersecurity job, inquire if the salary is negotiable. A Glassdoor survey found nearly one in three employees accepted their most recent salary offer without negotiation. While there’s no guarantee of success, negotiating can lead to a higher salary.
Salaries for Other Job Titles
As you advance in your cybersecurity career, you might move into more specialized or advanced roles. The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure across industries ensures that cybersecurity professionals enjoy a stable and rewarding career path.
Here are the average base salaries in the US for various cybersecurity roles, according to Glassdoor as of September 2023:
- Information Security Analyst: $91,805
- Penetration Tester: $93,973
- Digital Forensic Examiner: $75,543
- IT Auditor: $78,933
- Security Systems Administrator: $76,380
- Security Engineer: $106,141
- Security Architect: $149,722
- Ethical Hacker: $109,495
