Cybersecurity Analyst Salary Guide: How Much Can You Make?

A cybersecurity analyst oversees the security of computer systems and networks, instituting preventative measures, monitoring for suspicious activities, and dealing with the aftermath in case of a breach—a job that earns an average of $135,557, according to Glassdoor [1].  

As everything from your social life to valuable company data moves online, cybersecurity has quickly become a critical priority for just about every organization. 

If you have an interest in cybersecurity, this is good news. Companies have more cybersecurity positions than qualified people to fill them—nearly half a million open jobs in the US alone, with demand increasing 68 percent since 2010 [2]. Plus, skilled cybersecurity analysts often get well-compensated for their work. 

Read on to learn how much you can expect to earn as a cybersecurity analyst, as well as factors that can influence your salary. If you’re interested in starting or advancing your career in this field, we’ll discuss some ways you may be able to boost your earning potential.

What is an average cybersecurity analyst salary?

Glassdoor calculates the average salary for information security analysts, a role closely related to cybersecurity analysts, as $135,557 [1]. This figure closely aligns with the $120,360 median salary median salary for cybersecurity analysts reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [3]. 

Is cybersecurity analyst a high-paying job?

Yes. When you compare the average cybersecurity analyst salary to the national mean wage across all occupations, you’ll find that the average earnings are nearly double. Cybersecurity analysts earn $119,693.51 on average, while the national mean wage is $65,470, according to the BLS [1, 4].

Cybersecurity analyst salaries by experience

In many industries, your level of experience can have a big impact on how much you earn. This is especially true in cybersecurity, where hands-on experience is just as valuable, if not more important, to companies than education. Your earning potential will vary, as you can see when examining the range from cybersecurity entry-level salary data to average earnings later in your career. Take a look at how your average base salary (US) might change as you gain more experience, based on salary data from the job site PayScale [5].

Cybersecurity salaries by industry

As more and more companies turn to technology and connectivity to run their business, it becomes increasingly important to keep a company’s data—and reputation—secure. While cybersecurity analysts can find work across a range of industries, some tend to pay more than others. If you’re looking to find a job in a higher-paying sector, these are some of the top options, according to Glassdoor’s November 2024 data, which reflects the base pay and additional compensation like bonuses and profit sharing: [6]

• Manufacturing: $120,516

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: $118,869

• Energy, mining, and utilities: $117,449

• Financial services: $110,879

Cybersecurity salaries by location

Where you live and work can also have an impact on your salary. Average salaries in big cities like Washington, DC; New York, NY;  and Huntsville, Alabama have average salaries higher than the national average, according to PayScale [5]. 

As you consider your options, remember that it’s often more expensive to live in these larger cities, which can offset the higher salary. Many companies offer location-based salaries—salaries that take into account your location rather than the company's location—for remote workers.

Cybersecurity salaries by certification

Approximately 60 percent of cybersecurity analysts have relevant certification, according to data from the National Science Foundation’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Supply and Demand report [6]. Earning a cybersecurity certification can be another way to boost your earning potential. The IT Skills and Salary Survey from Global Knowledge found that if you have these security certifications, you may earn some of the highest salaries [8]. Keep in mind that factors like skills, role, and tenure also impact these numbers.

• AWS Certified Security - Specialty: $203,597

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP): $171,524

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security: $168,159

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): $168,060

• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC): $165,890

What does a cybersecurity analyst do?

Cybersecurity analysts perform various functions related to keeping a company's devices, systems, and networks protected from data breaches and cyberattacks. Common duties include monitoring systems for suspicious activities, responding to potential breaches, and finding new ways to increase the network's resilience.

Wondering how to become a cybersecurity analyst? You have multiple paths to choose from, including getting a formal degree, accumulating practical experience, and pursuing in-demand certifications.

Salaries for other job titles

As your cybersecurity career progresses, you may find opportunities to move into more advanced or specialized roles. Discover a few average US base salaries of other cybersecurity roles, according to Glassdoor, as of November 2024.

• Information security analyst: $112,976

• Penetration tester: $111,244

• Digital forensic examiner: $87,857

• IT auditor: $110,225

• Security systems administrator: $87,672

• Security engineer: $136,212

• Security architect: $159,989

• Ethical hacker: $147,051

Read more: 10 Cybersecurity Jobs: Entry-Level and Beyond

Job outlook for cybersecurity analysts

Cyberattacks continue to grow in frequency and complexity, and companies will need professionals with the latest cybersecurity skills to ensure data privacy, integrity, and availability.

The BLS projects that employment for cybersecurity analysts will expand by 33 percent between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the national average of all other occupations [2].

How to increase your cybersecurity salary

Now that you have a better idea of what you could expect to earn as a cybersecurity analyst, take a look at how you might boost your salary, even for an entry-level analyst position.

 1. Learn new cybersecurity skills.

Companies are looking for professionals with robust cybersecurity skills to face evolving threats. Job listing site PayScale reports that the following skills can command the biggest salary increases for cybersecurity analysts [5]:

• Open source intelligence (OSINT): Collecting information available to the public from sources like the internet, media, and the dark web and analyzing it to assess potential threats

• Vendor management: Understand how companies can protect themselves from attacks originating from third-party vendor networks

• Intelligence analysis: Research and collect data on potential threats and bad actors to inform better security practices

• Network support: Know best practices for keeping a company’s computer network working and secure

• Identity management: Ensure that only authorized users have access to data and technological resources

2. Earn a certification or degree.

What do cybersecurity professionals typically major and minor in? While you don’t necessarily need a degree to get a job in cybersecurity, earning one could help you find more job opportunities and get a bump in your salary. According to Zippia, 61 percent of cybersecurity analysts have a bachelor's, 15 percent have a master’s, and 19 percent hold an associate degree [8]. 

Read more: Explore degree options and alternatives for cybersecurity, including what types of majors to consider.

If you already have a degree or IT experience, earning a cybersecurity certification could translate into a bigger paycheck. Some companies will cover the cost of certification courses and exams, offsetting how much you’d need to spend out of pocket. Be sure to speak with your manager about options if you’re interested in pursuing a certification.

Explore your options: 8 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications

3. Negotiate your job offer.

Next time you’re offered a cybersecurity job, ask if the amount offered is open to negotiation. A survey from Career Builder reveals that 55 percent of employees accept the initial salary offer without negotiating it, while 73 percent of employers are willing to negotiate [9]. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll get what you ask for, you could be walking away from a bigger salary by not trying. 

For more tips on how to negotiate your salary, check out Negotiation Tips and Tricks (From Salary to Price) on the Coursera blog.

Boost your cybersecurity analyst salary with in-demand skills

Gaining credentials, experience, and a robust skill set can help boost your cybersecurity analyst salary, even with entry-level roles. If you’re interested in starting a career in cybersecurity, consider the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera. You can go from a beginner to career-ready with this program designed ​​to help you find your first job in the field of cybersecurity, all at your own pace. The courses cover topics such as security models, tools you can use to access and address threats, networks, and more.