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Cybersecurity continues to be one of the most in-demand and well-compensated fields in technology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national median salary across cybersecurity roles was in May 2024. The lowest 10% of earners made less than $69,660, while the highest 10% earned more than $186,420.

If you’re considering joining the cybersecurity field and are wondering how much your earnings could increase over the years, here’s what you should know.

Top Resources for Cybersecurity Salary Information

CyberSeek.org, a program funded in part by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, offers an that provides information on various domains of expertise in cybersecurity—such as networking, software development, and auditing—and their common entry-level jobs. This interactive tool also displays job openings and other data for cybersecurity roles like security technician, incident responder, and security analyst.

Career Growth and Salary Outlook for Cybersecurity Professionals

According to CyberSeek, 50% of U.S. postings for jobs in cybersecurity require a bachelor’s degree, while 4% require a graduate degree. In addition to earning a degree, completing certification programs, gaining hands-on experience, and entering leadership roles can increase earning potential.

Here’s how cybersecurity careers typically break down—for those just starting and for professionals aiming for leadership:

Entry-Level Cybersecurity Roles (0–4 years)

Individuals new to the field with less than four years of experience and a bachelor's degree in IT can expect an average annual salary ranging from .

Entry-level positions might include security technician, security operations center (SOC) analyst, and junior threat analyst. As you grow your skills and look for advancement opportunities, keep in mind that income ranges vary based on factors like education, experience, and location.

Mid-Level Roles (5–9 years)

Experienced practitioners like advanced cybersecurity analysts or incident responders can expect salaries typically ranging from , especially with specialized skills in areas like cloud security, threat intelligence, or AI-driven security.

Senior and Leadership Roles (10+ years)

Cybersecurity professionals with more than 10 years of experience typically earn an average annual salary ranging from . Some senior roles, such as cybersecurity architect, can earn an average salary of around or more.

The numbers show that cybersecurity jobs are both lucrative and in high demand. In fact, the BLS projects employment in the field to from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Cybersecurity Salaries by Industry

Cybersecurity experts work across industries to protect organizations’ sensitive data. The in which cybersecurity professionals work include computer systems design (22%), finance and insurance (15%), and information technology (10%).

According to the BLS, among the for cybersecurity experts are the information industry ($136,390), finance and insurance ($126,970), and computer systems design ($126,690).

Highest-Paid Cybersecurity Roles

Cybersecurity is a field where individuals apply specialized skills to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, conduct maintenance on complex computer systems, and lead response efforts during or after cyberattacks. While most employers seek to hire workers with the knowledge and abilities to carry out these responsibilities, it’s important to remember that different factors contribute to job environments, assigned tasks, and salaries in the industry.

Below are some of the most common top-earning positions in cybersecurity:

• Malware analyst. Earning an average annual salary of about , malware analysts identify and investigate various forms of malicious software and their delivery methods. Malware may include adware, spyware, ransomware, or viruses.
• Security architect. The primary role of a security architect is to assess an organization’s computer systems for weaknesses and then design security protocols to address them. Security architects conduct penetration tests, risk analyses, and ethical hacks on different types of networks. They earn an average annual salary of around .
• Cybersecurity engineer. With an average annual salary of , cybersecurity engineers build security management software and create policies to protect systems, networks, and data.
• Cybersecurity manager. A cybersecurity manager leads individual information security specialists and is responsible for implementing, administering, and troubleshooting an organization’s security solutions. These managers earn an average annual salary of or more, depending on experience and location.
• Penetration tester. This role earns an average annual salary of . Penetration testers simulate cyberattacks via ethical hacking, which involves identifying, testing, and highlighting vulnerabilities in an organization’s overall security posture.

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