The field of cybersecurity offers a diverse range of career opportunities, each with unique responsibilities and requirements. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your career, there are many paths to consider. Below are some key roles in cybersecurity, along with their average annual salaries, education requirements, and a brief overview of each role.
Average Annual Salary: About $102,000
Education Needed: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field like information security or information technology (IT)
Career Overview: Cybersecurity engineers are responsible for evaluating an organization’s security needs and implementing solutions to protect against cyber threats. They design, implement, and maintain secure systems and networks, conduct vulnerability tests, respond to security breaches, and ensure that all security measures are up-to-date.
Average Annual Salary: About $78,000
Education Needed: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field like information security or IT
Career Overview: Information security analysts protect an organization’s digital assets by monitoring networks and systems for security breaches. They identify vulnerabilities, secure sensitive information, implement security measures, and develop strategies to protect against cyber threats.
Average Annual Salary: Around $126,000
Education Needed: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field like information security or IT
Career Overview: Information security managers oversee an organization’s cybersecurity efforts. They develop and implement security policies, conduct audits, supervise security teams, and ensure compliance with regulations. They also collaborate with other departments to integrate security into all aspects of the organization’s operations.
Average Annual Salary: Around $51,000
Education Needed: Associate degree or postsecondary training; bachelor’s degree preferred for some positions
Career Overview: Information technology support technicians provide technical support to clients, helping them set up, maintain, and troubleshoot software and hardware issues. They serve as the first point of contact for technical problems and ensure that computer systems and networks operate smoothly.
Average Annual Salary: Around $81,000
Education Needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field
Career Overview: Network engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks within an organization. They ensure the efficiency and security of networks, troubleshoot issues, and develop new network solutions to meet the organization’s needs.
Average Annual Salary: Around $68,000
Education Needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, IT systems management, or a related field
Career Overview: Systems administrators manage and support an organization’s computer systems and servers. They ensure systems are running efficiently, provide technical support, and address any technical issues that arise within the IT infrastructure.
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Degree Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity Engineer | $102,000 | Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or related field |
| Information Security Analyst | $78,000 | Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or related field |
| Information Security Manager | $126,000 | Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or related field |
| Information Technology Support Technician | $51,000 | Associate degree or postsecondary training; bachelor’s preferred |
| Network Engineer | $81,000 | Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field |
| Systems Administrator | $68,000 | Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, IT systems management, or related field |