The Top Paying IT and Cybersecurity Salaries by Job Title

Why Choose a Career in Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is one of the world’s fastest-growing career fields with new opportunities opening every single day. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow 31% through 2029.  This is more than seven times faster than the predicted average for other professions. 

Cybersecurity unemployment rate dropped down to less than 1% in 2016 and has remained at this level since then.

Just think about all of the news stories you see involving hackers, data breaches, or companies leaking customer information. Hackers are more successful now than ever before and this has driven the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. 

The U.S. Federal government put forth new guidance on the need to increase the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities through a series of executive orders in 2021. Private organizations followed suit and many have increased their cybersecurity budgets. This is all in response to the success hackers have had targeting nearly every business sector. 

When hackers are successful, it means that organizations are not fully successful in their cybersecurity efforts. This drives the need for more cybersecurity professionals to address these concerns. This in turn leads to a lower unemployment rate for cybersecurity job seekers since more jobs are created.

The U.S. States with the Highest Cybersecurity Salaries

The figures presented here are average salaries for cybersecurity professionals sorted by state.

Due to costs of living, demand, and other factors salaries differ from state to state. For example, New York pays an average yearly salary of $93,986, while Minnesota pays an average yearly $83,914. 

You can earn a median average salary of $97,031 as an analyst in Delaware, for instance. However, if you were to seek out job opportunities in a state like South Carolina, this median figure drops significantly to around $52,000. 

Here are the top ten highest paying states for cybersecurity jobs (according to the average salaries per year):

Delaware – $97,031
New York – $93,986
New Jersey – $90,521
Maine – $90,010
Maryland – $89,487
Washington – $87,368
Connecticut – $85,145
New Hampshire – $84,628
Minnesota – $83,914
Virginia – $83,113

Cybersecurity Careers with the Best Income

Information security professionals are experts responsible for protecting devices, networks, and data from malicious activity or cyberattacks. 

Here’s a look at the top cybersecurity jobs and corresponding salaries:

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

The Chief Information Security Officer remains in the highest position within a company related to cybersecurity. CISOs are responsible for establishing and running an organization’s cybersecurity program. The CISO is responsible for establishing effective risk management strategies to protect the organization’s digital assets. 

The ISC2 CISSP certification is ideal for individuals wishing to become CISOs.

The average salary for a CISO position is $158,939, and the range is $140,000–$420,000.

Application Security Professional

Application Security Professionals are involved in the development life cycle for software and applications. Application Security Professionals implement secure coding practices and security testing to safeguard mobile, device, and web-based applications from malicious actors.

Application Security Professionals earn an average yearly salary of $120,000 to $180,000

Information System Security Manager (ISSM)

ISSMs are individuals in charge of one or more information systems. A system is a group of devices that are designed to work together to accomplish a specific task. ISSMs are ultimately responsible for securing their systems and may have a number of analysts and systems administrators working for them. ISSMs often address risk management concepts, making a CISSP certification ideal for individuals in these roles.

ISSMs earn an average salary range of $125,000 to $215,000

Cloud Architects

Cloud Architects design cloud-based networks, systems, and devices. They are responsible for setting up private, public, community, and hybrid cloud environments. These individuals are seen as the cloud security experts within their organization.

With the use of cloud-based systems increasing in recent years, the number of Cloud Architect jobs has seen a dramatic increase.

The ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional certification is the best advanced level certification for aspiring Cloud Architects. Those new to cloud security should pursue a CompTIA Cloud+ certification.

Cloud Architects can expect to make an average yearly salary of $140,820

Penetration Tester 

Often referred to as Pen Testers or Vulnerability Testers, these professionals are ethical hackers, which means that they perform hacks to help improve an organization’s security posture. Ethical Hackers identify vulnerabilities by using the same techniques that used by real-world hackers. They then report their findings to the organization and assist security practitioners in fixing these vulnerabilities.

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is the perfect certification for aspiring Pen Testers.

On average, a penetration tester can earn $80,000 to $130,000.

Information Systems Security Professional (ISSO)

ISSOs are security professionals who are responsible for securing specific systems. These professionals work closely with Systems Administrators, security analysts, and ISSMs to protect digital assets. ISSOs will perform vulnerability assessments and use security tools like vulnerability scanners, firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and Security Information and Event Management (SEIM) devices.

The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst certification (CySA+) is ideal for ISSOs, particularly those working in Security Operations Centers.

ISSOs earn an average salary of $117,325

How can I improve my salary? 

By far, the easiest and best way to improve your salary in the IT and Cybersecurity fields is to pursue a professional certification. Cyberkraft offers both self-paced and instructor-led classes to help you excel. If you’re just getting started in cybersecurity, the CompTIA Security+ certification is a great way to begin.

As always, we here at Cyberkraft are here to help. If you have any questions, please reach out to [[email protected]] or through our website chat at the bottom right of the page.