As the costs of data breaches continue to increase, organizations need to hire skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect their sensitive corporate data.
Still, these companies remain at risk as they struggle to find skilled cybersecurity professionals to fill critical positions.
As you can see, this is a great time to jump-start a career in cybersecurity or take your existing career to the next level. To help you on your journey, we’ve rounded up some information on six best-paying cybersecurity jobs.
6 Highest-Paying Jobs in Cybersecurity
6. Cybersecurity Engineer
Sometimes known as an information security engineer, a cybersecurity engineer identifies and remediates vulnerabilities and threats in a company’s computer systems and network. The cybersecurity engineer implements security procedures to safeguard corporate data in the event of a cyberattack. This individual collaborates with the organization’s IT team members, reporting directly to upper management.
The average annual salary for a cybersecurity engineer in the U.S. is $148,760; however, the salary range is typically between $134,446 and $165,229, according to Salary.com. Talent.com reports that the average annual cybersecurity engineer salary in the U.S. ranges from $109,965 to $171,722 per year, with the average coming in at $130,000.
Generally, a cybersecurity engineer should have at least a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, computer science, or information technology. A candidate for this position should also have experience with the operation and maintenance of firewalls and different forms of endpoint security and be proficient in such languages/tools as Java, Node, C++, Ruby, Python, Go, and Power Shell.
5. Cybersecurity Architect
A cybersecurity architect (also called a security architect) is a senior-level role that plans, designs, tests, implements, and maintains the enterprise’s computer and network security infrastructures. This position requires comprehensive knowledge of the business and the technology it uses to conduct operations.
A cybersecurity architect must also be able to think like a hacker to anticipate and defend the business against cyber threats. A cybersecurity architect assesses the company’s systems for weaknesses, conducting vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, and ethical hacks.
The average annual security architect salary in the U.S. is $128,636, according to Zippa.com. Salaries typically range between $92,000 and $179,000. ZipRecruiter reports that the average yearly salary for a cybersecurity architect is $132,623, with a top salary of $171,000.
To become a cybersecurity architect, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, or a similar field. Most companies look for individuals with five to 10 years of IT experience, including working with application development, systems analysis, and business planning, and three to five years focusing on security.
4. Cybersecurity Manager
A cybersecurity manager’s role is to protect the organization’s information systems, identify threats to those systems, and respond to those threats and cyberattacks. It is also the cybersecurity manager’s responsibility to develop a plan the organization can implement in the event of a cyberattack.
The person in this position also implements procedures to safeguard the company’s computer and database infrastructures and may be required to train employees on these security measures. Hence, they know how to operate their devices securely. As this is a management-level position, the individual in this role may oversee other security professionals.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a cybersecurity manager in the U.S. is $128,870. Salaries typically range from $44,000 to $192,000. Comparably.com reports that the average salary for this position is $117,580, with a low of $51,280 and a high of $172,000.
If you’re interested in a job as a cybersecurity manager, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity information technology with a focus on cybersecurity, computer science, or related fields. In addition, you’ll need five to 10 years of network administration or computer security experience.
3. Application Security Engineer
The role of an application security engineer is to ensure all the applications that run in different environments, i.e., on-premises or in the cloud, are secure. These professionals pinpoint and mitigate security vulnerabilities in the applications their organizations develop and deploy. They work with development teams to establish security control measures throughout the software development lifecycle and implement tools and techniques to protect apps that have already been deployed.
The median annual salary for an application security engineer in the U.S. is $107,372, with a top salary of $139,991, according to Salary.com. Indeed.com reports that the average salary for an application security engineer is $138,010. Salaries generally range from $94,361 to a high of $201,851.
To become an application security engineer, the first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or related fields. You should also have at least two to four years of entry-level experience in the field.
2. Director of Information Security
Like the CISO, the director of information security is a senior-level role within an enterprise’s information security function. It plays a key role in ensuring the security of the company’s information assets. The information security director manages the everyday operations of the company’s information security program, including performing risk assessments, deploying and maintaining security controls, and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
The average yearly salary for a director of information security in the U.S. is $187,118, while the range for this position typically falls between $168,731 and $207,599, according to Salary.com. Indeed.com estimates the high salary for this position is $255,624.
Suppose your goal is to become a director of information security. In that case, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT security, or database administration and five to 10 years of experience in cybersecurity and information technology administration.
1. Chief Information Security Officer
The chief information security officer (CISO) oversees a company’s entire security operation to ensure critical data is protected from internal and external threats. This C-suite exec implements policies and procedures to avoid these security threats and reduce the risks of a data breach while also enabling and advancing the business’s goals.
The median annual salary for a CISO in the U.S. is $239,136; however, the salary range for a CISO is $212,868 and $270,704, according to Salary.com. Glassdoor estimates that the average salary for a CISO is $290,998.
Suppose you want to pursue a position as a CISO. In that case, you’ll need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field, at least five years in a management role, be familiar with numerous security practices technologies, and understand the regulations that affect your company and your industry.
The Bottom Line
Today, more than ever, organizations in virtually every industry are seeking individuals with cybersecurity skills to fill vacant positions. The problem is that there are few qualified applicants.
Consequently, thousands and tens of thousands of cybersecurity positions remain unfilled because of the lack of candidates with the necessary education, training, skills, or experience.
So whether you’re looking to begin a career in the cybersecurity field or take your existing career to the next level, your chances are good if you apply yourself, aim for the stars, and pursue these top-paying jobs.
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