Cybersecurity Salary: Job Outlook and Salary Statistics

We live in a digital era where evolving technology has opened a number of avenues and career paths. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries that provide opportunities to young graduates and mid-professionals looking to maximize their skills to land better jobs.

In 2021, the global cybersecurity market had a total value of $132.94 billion. According to Fortune Business Insights, the cybersecurity market is expected to grow to $376.32 billion in 2029 from $155.83 billion in 2022.

Another bit of great news is that the requirement for cybersecurity experts is in high demand, almost 12 times compared to the regular United States job market. So perhaps by now you're wondering about cybersecurity salary and how to become a cyber professional.

In this article, you'll find all the details regarding the average cybersecurity salary. In addition, you'll also explore information about the Cyber Security Bootcamp offered by the University of South Florida CTPE to equip yourself with the desired skill set to land your dream cybersecurity job.

Average cybersecurity salaries usually range from $85,000 to $130,000 based on your experience in the relevant field. Other factors determining your cybersecurity salary include your company, location, and field knowledge.

Average cybersecurity salaries vary based on a particular position and role. For example, the median cybersecurity analyst salary is $103,590, while a network system administrator earns $84,810 per year.

Similarly, a computer network architect has an average annual salary of $116,780, and an information system manager earns a whopping annual salary of $151,150 on average.

We’ve compiled a list of average information security analyst salaries, which is typically a more entry-level position, around the region:

• Tampa: $85,082

• Fort Myers: $91,445

• Orlando: $92,415

• Jacksonville: $93,404

• Miami: $94,901

• Atlanta: $100,153

Chief information security officers are regarded as cybersecurity professionals at the top of the industry and make an average salary of $158,939. 

Entry-level cybersecurity professionals need to develop a variety of skills and dedicate a significant amount of time to the profession before they would be prepared for a CISO-level role, so we’ll explore some of the highest-paying cybersecurity roles throughout a professional’s career.

Application Security Professional

The role primarily focuses on keeping the software, apps, and other technology safe from different security threats and breaches by malicious actors. You could earn a salary ranging from $120K to $180K on average as an app security engineer.

Information Security Managers

As the name indicates, the information security manager is tasked with ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data online, offline, in transit, and in storage. Not only that, but the manager assesses and predicts the security threats and takes the desired security measures to prevent them.

As an information security manager, you can likely earn a salary ranging from $125,000 to $215,000.

Computer Network Architects

The designing and maintenance of the communication networks, such as LANs, intranets, and WANs, come under the responsibility of the computer network architects. A cybersecurity architect working with the organization's computer networks earns an average salary of $140,820 per year.

Penetration Tester

A vulnerability or a pen tester is essentially an ethical hacker. He tests the network security of the system's apps, networks, databases, virtual networks, and the cloud.

As a result, a pen tester identifies the network vulnerabilities that the cyber attackers can exploit to gain access to the organization's confidential information. The average salary of a pen tester varies from $80K to $130K per year.

Chief Information Security Officer

As the name suggests, it's the highest position related to cybersecurity within the organization.

This role is responsible for maintaining and implementing a cybersecurity vision and strategy to prevent cyberattacks on IT assets. That's why the salary of CISO ranges from $140K to $420K, with an average salary of $158,939.

According to Forbes in 2020, there were more than 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions, so there is plenty of demand. If you have a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or are working in an IT sector, the addition of an industry certification can help you boost your salary if you’re already in the industry, or it can help you smoothly enter the field of cybersecurity.

Forbes also shares that 74% of organizations blame the skill gap for the incompetence of cybersecurity professionals to secure confidential information. Not only that, but 58% of CISOs find it challenging to recruit cybersecurity professionals with the right skillset. A certification or bootcamp can help you build the skills needed. 

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The certification offers you the desired knowledge to identify the potential security threats and devise a security and prevention plan. Not only that, but you'll be able to implement audit procedures, review configurations, and review network configurations.

Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)

This training allows you to engineer, manage, and implement a comprehensive security program within the organization to prevent cyber attacks.

Certified Information System Auditor (CISA)

It's a beneficial certification that allows you to audit the security networks and identify the potential threats within the organization.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

As the name suggests, this certification offers the hacking skills to identify the loopholes, identify the network's vulnerability, and prevent future cyberattacks.

USF Cyber Security Bootcamp

The University of South Florida Cyber Security Bootcamp offers in-depth cybersecurity knowledge with hands-on practice assignments.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs will grow by 33% through 2030. The role of a cybersecurity professional is becoming more critical day by day as more and more devices connect to the Internet. As of 2019, the median cybersecurity salary of a professional is $102,600, which is undoubtedly very lucrative. 

If you’re interested in starting a career in the cybersecurity industry, consider enrolling in the USF CTPE Cyber Security Bootcamp, which provides cutting edge curriculum, hands-on projects, and 1-on-1 mentorship, all while providing the opportunity to earn a certificate of completion from America's fastest-rising University (US News and World Report), USF.