In our digital age, it’s no surprise that cyber security is a concern for businesses and consumers alike. Issues such as data breaches and threatening malware give rise to a need for protection of our personal and company data. This is where cyber security professionals come in.

Cyber security professionals work to create and improve security measures to protect companies’ computer networks and systems. These careers and responsibilities are continuing to expand to meet the needs of businesses as the number of cyberattacks increase.

Common job roles in the cyber security field include network and computer systems administrators, computer network architects and information security analysts. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), occupations in the cyber security industry are predicted to grow between 2020 and 2030. Information Security Analysts positions, in particular, are predicted to grow by 33% during this period.

Job roles in cyber security vary in function, and thus the average salary for each position could differ quite significantly. Here are descriptions of some job roles in the cyber security field and the average annual income for each.

Network and computer systems administrators work with the hardware and software of computers and computer systems. They are employed by companies to install, configure and maintain both virtual and physical servers, operating systems, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN) and data communications networks.

Individuals in this profession manage a range of tasks. They maintain the integrity of an organization’s computer networks and computing environments. This includes all computer hardware, systems and applications software. A network and computer systems administrator manages any data gathered and stored by the organization.

Other duties that network and computer systems administrators perform include managing email applications and virus protection software. Individuals who perform network and computer systems administrative duties can hold various job titles. These include:

In 2020 the median wage for network and computer systems administrators was $84,810.

Computer network architects design and implement computer and information networks. These networks usually include local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), data communication networks, extranets and intranets.

Individuals in this profession develop and design networks and make recommendations on network security measures that need to be implemented. These measures might include the use of firewalls, conducting network security audits or implementing automated security investigations. They ensure that all networks perform optimally, that the organization makes efficient use of their computing resources and conduct capacity planning for the organization’s computing needs.

Individuals who perform computer network architecture duties can hold various job titles. These include

Information security analysts work to keep computer networks and information secure from deliberate or accidental modification or destruction. They also place and maintain systems in order to protect confidential information.

An information security analyst assesses an organization’s computer and information systems to identify vulnerabilities and security risks. They also create potential plans to address any such risks within the organization’s computer and information systems. Information security analysts might need to address any digital security breaches and viruses along with keeping virus protection systems up to date.

Individuals who perform information security analysis duties can hold various job titles. These include:

In 2020 the median wage for an information security analyst was $103, 590.

The average annual salary for professionals in cyber security roles increases with work experience, according to the salary calculator from CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association. Note that annual salaries can vary greatly by location, years of experience, the demand for certain positions and other factors.

Entry level positions in cyber security include roles like network and computer systems administrators and computer network support specialists.

Network and Computer systems administrator typically requires a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s degree, sometimes a bachelor’s degree and can be considered entry level. This career can advance to become computer network architects or to managerial jobs in IT departments. Network and computer systems administrators earned a median annual salary of $84,810 in 2020.

Similarly to network and computer systems administrators, computer network support specialists sometimes are required to have a bachelor’s degree but an associate’s or postsecondary courses may also suffice. This position can advance to other cyber security positions such as network and computer systems administrators and software developers. Computer network support specialists earned a median annual salary of $65,450 in 2020.

Mid level cyber security positions include intelligence analysts and information security analysts.

To become an information security analyst, most positions require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. Some employers prefer candidates with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in information systems. Information security analysts can be considered mid-level as they generally need to have previous experience in a related occupation. In 2020, the median annual wage for information security analysts was $103,590.

Intelligence analysts are considered mid-level as most intelligence analyst positions require at least a four-year bachelor’s degree, but some may require a master’s degree. A considerable amount of specialized cyber security skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for this career. The median annual wage for intelligence analysts was $86,940 in 2020.

Advanced positions in cyber security include computer network architects and digital forensics analysts.

Computer network architects are typically required to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience working with information technology (IT) systems. At least a bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, but some employers may require a master’s degree for this position. They often gain experience in the field as a network and computer system administrator but also may come from other computer-related occupations. In 2020, computer network architects earned a median annual salary of $116,780.

Digital forensics analyst is an advanced cyber security career. They conduct investigations on computer-based crimes establishing documentary or physical evidence, such as digital media and logs associated with cyber intrusion incidents. This career requires specialized knowledge of computer-related activity related to criminal, fraud, counterintelligence, or law enforcement investigations. Digital forensics analysts earned a mean annual salary of $66,850 in 2020.

The salary range for individuals working in cyber security varies by sector and industry. Here is a breakdown of the annual wage by specialty and sector, according to 2019 BLS data.

The salary range for different cyber security careers varies by state. Here is a breakdown of the 2020 mean annual wage by state:

Other jobs relating to cyber security may include data analyst and data scientist. Salaries for these careers may vary based on experience, industry and location.

Data analysts focus on gathering and interpreting masses of data in order for organizations to make informed business decisions. Some data analysts work alongside IT teams, management and/or data scientists to help determine organizational goals. They work to clean data from primary and secondary sources then analyze and interpret results using standard statistical tools and techniques. Their analysis helps to pinpoint trends, correlations and patterns in complex data sets and identify new opportunities for process improvement. Data analysts also create reports on their findings and communicate next steps to key stakeholders. The median salary for business intelligence analysts, which includes data analysts, in 2020 was around $98,230 annually.

Data scientists often fill roles related to machine learning, natural language processing, and big data. Data scientists and data managers work to develop a company’s process for cleaning, processing and storing data. Data scientists work alongside other teams throughout their organization, such as marketing, customer success and operations. This position is in demand, with job growth between 2020 to 2030 projected at 15% — much faster than average, according to O*NET OnLine. The median annual salary for a data scientist in 2020 was $98,230.

Last updated: April 2022

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.