The average annual income for cybersecurity analysts is $77,144. This is the average of all job functions across all industries and levels. Of course, your pay will certainly differ depending on where you live, your field of expertise, and how long you’ve been employed. We’ve broken down how incomes differ by function, industry, and experience level in the table below. We’ve also included some actual job advertisements to see what firms are looking for in cybersecurity analysts and what they’re willing to pay.
If you’re thinking about a career in cybersecurity, the pay potential is likely one of the many aspects you’re considering. While there are many options in the field of information technology, working as a cybersecurity analyst is in high demand. It allows you to assist firms in defending against cyber threats.
This post will look at how much cybersecurity analysts make, what their key responsibilities are, and what schooling you’ll need to become one. We also look at the work environment, required abilities, and employment forecast for cybersecurity analysts so you can decide if this is the perfect career for you.
What is the average compensation for a cybersecurity analyst?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median compensation for cybersecurity analysts in 2020 was $103,590. That works up to around $50 per hour. This is almost double the $41,950 median yearly wage for all workers. Cybersecurity occupations average $12,700 more per year than other information technology (IT) jobs.
Salary ranges for cybersecurity analysts based on experience.
Your amount of experience can have a significant impact on how much you earn in many businesses. This is especially true in cybersecurity, where firms value hands-on experience as much as, if not more than, schooling. Based on compensation statistics from the employment site PayScale, here’s how your average base income (US) can fluctuate as you get more experience.
| Level of experience | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (less than 1 year) | $63,235 |
| Early career (1 to 4 years) | $71,942 |
| Mid career (5 to 9 years) | $88,596 |
| Experienced (10 to 19 years) | $102,002 |
| Late career (20+ years) | $112,984 |
What is the role of a cybersecurity analyst?
A cybersecurity analyst’s job includes studying and assessing any vulnerabilities in a company’s IT infrastructure—networks, hardware, and software—and reporting any hacking attempts to improve security protocols. In addition, they carry out ongoing security management tasks as well as threat control and mitigation.
Cybersecurity experts can not only protect against potential attacks but may also identify ways to make systems more secure. Many cybersecurity experts offer advisory services to businesses to protect their data from threats. They can also determine the extent of harm caused by a security breach. Among their key responsibilities are:
- Computer networks are being monitored for prospective security issues.
- Investigating security breaches or other cybersecurity issues
- Protecting systems and information infrastructure by installing software and performing additional procedures
- Working with security teams to run tests and detect potential vulnerabilities in a computer network.
- Keeping updated with the latest best practices, trends, and news
- Investigating potential security enhancements to suggest to management
Cybersecurity Analysts have a bright future.
Companies will require professionals with the most up-to-date cybersecurity capabilities to secure data privacy, integrity, and availability as cyberattacks become more common and complicated.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of cybersecurity analysts will grow by 33% between 2020 and 2030, substantially faster than the national average. In addition, information security analysts are among the top ten job roles growing in demand across industries, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Future of Jobs report.
How to Raise Your Salary in Cybersecurity?
Let’s look at how you can increase your compensation as a cybersecurity analyst now that you have a better notion of what you can anticipate making as an entry-level analyst.
Acquire new cybersecurity abilities.
To combat growing risks, businesses seek professionals with strong cybersecurity expertise. According to PayScale, the following skills are linked to the most significant compensation gains for cybersecurity analysts [4]:
- Vendor management: Learn how to safeguard your company against attacks coming from third-party vendor networks.
- Research and collect data on potential dangers and bad actors to improve security measures.
- Know the best practices for keeping a company’s computer network up and running and secure.
- Only authorized users can access data and technology resources through identity management.
- Splunk: Respond to threats using this security information and event management system (SIEM).
- Get a certificate or a degree in your field.
While a degree isn’t required for a job in cybersecurity, having one can help you locate more chances and make more money. In the United States, 90 per cent of cybersecurity job postings require at least a bachelor’s degree. A graduate degree is requested in 16 per cent of the listings.
Learn more about cybersecurity degree options, alternatives, and the types of majors to explore.
Earning a cybersecurity certification could result in a higher salary if you already have a degree or IT expertise. In addition, some employers will pay for certification classes and exams, reducing the amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket. If you’re considering getting a certification, talk to your boss about your alternatives.
Make a counteroffer to your job offer
Ask if the salary is negotiable the next time you’re offered a cybersecurity position. According to a Glassdoor poll, roughly one-third of employees did not negotiate their most recent salary offer [7]. While there’s no assurance that you’ll obtain what you want, failing to attempt could result in you missing out on higher pay.
Think about pursuing a graduate degree.
While a master’s degree isn’t required to work as a cybersecurity analyst, some employers prefer applicants with a more advanced formal education, such as a Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Policy, as well as real-world, on-the-job experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cybersecurity Salaries
Is Cybersecurity an Excellent Career Option?
Cybersecurity is a lucrative field. It pays more than twice as much as the average wage. Because it is in high demand, jobs are plentiful. Furthermore, 71% of cybersecurity experts are happy with their professions.
Do Cybersecurity Analysts Make a Good Living?
Analysts in the field of cybersecurity are well compensated. They make an average of $77,144, which is significantly more than the US median income of $34,248.45.
What Are the Earning Potentials in Cybersecurity?
Chief Information Security Officer is the highest-paying job in cybersecurity (CISO). This is a high-ranking position. The chief information officer (CIO) and the CISO collaborate to develop a security plan and safeguard data assets. The CISO might earn between $380,000 and $420,000 in Fortune 500 organizations.
Is a Cybersecurity Analyst need to have a degree?
A degree isn’t required to work as a cybersecurity analyst, but it makes finding work simpler. A college diploma or an equivalent level of experience and education is required in many job ads. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, attending a boot camp and passing a certification like CompTIA Security+ can help you acquire a job.
Article Reference
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Information Security Analysts
Burning Glass Technologies. “Recruiting Watchers for the Virtual Walls: The State of Cybersecurity Hiring
PayScale. “Average Cyber Security Analyst Salary
World Economic Forum. “The Future of Jobs Report 2020