{"id":3671,"date":"2022-03-03T22:38:56","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T22:38:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/he-cyberdegrees-org-sonic.lndo.site\/?p=3671"},"modified":"2023-04-04T22:18:32","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T22:18:32","slug":"careers-security-specialist-career-and-salary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/careers\/security-specialist\/career-and-salary\/","title":{"rendered":"Security Specialist Salary and Career Outlook"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Security specialists help organizations protect their information and data from cyberattacks. These professionals monitor computer systems for intrusions and implement best practices to improve cybersecurity. A career as a security specialist typically requires a bachelor's degree in a field related to computer science. <\/p>\r\n<p>Cybersecurity specialist salaries tend to exceed the national average. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/information-security-analysts.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS) reports information security analysts, a career similar to security specialists, earned a median annual salary of $103,590 as of 2020.<\/p>\r\n<p>This page explores job prospects and salaries for security specialists. The BLS does not report on security specialists specifically. Instead, we use BLS data from information security analysts, whose <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" href=\"http:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/jobs\/\" title=\"jobs\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">jobs<\/a> are similar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n  \n  \n  <a class=\"subnav-waypoint\" name=\"job-description\" id=\"job-description\"><\/a>\n\n\r\n\r\n<h2>What Is a Security Specialist's Job Description? <\/h2>\r\n<p>Security specialists, also called cybersecurity specialists, secure computer systems to protect organizations' valuable data and information. Security specialists work in computer security, a specialized subfield of computer science. Typical duties include troubleshooting security systems, installing new security products, and testing security components.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"pullquote inline-block text-xl font-bold \npullquote--border-top\npullquote--placement pullquote--placement-center\">\n    <p>\r\n  A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/jobs\/security-specialist\/\">career as a security specialist<\/a> entails educating staff members on security products and procedures and assisting with other information technology issues.\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n<p>Security specialists must stay up to date on security best practices and emerging cyberthreats. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/jobs\/security-specialist\/\">career as a security specialist<\/a> entails educating staff members on security products and procedures and assisting with other information technology issues. Security specialist duties also include making security recommendations to management.<\/p>\r\n<p>Important skills for security specialists include testing and auditing, security risk management, IT security and infrastructure, and intrusion detection. With cyberattacks increasing in recent years, the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow. Security specialists find work in industries like banking and insurance, government agencies, computer research and development, and aerospace.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n<div class=\"sonic-interlink duration-500 flex hover:shadow-lg bg-secondary-700 \">\n    <a\n        target=\"_self\"\n        href=\"\/jobs\/security-specialist\/\"\n        class=\"flex items-center p-8 relative rounded w-full transition-opacity duration-500 hover:opacity-75\">\n                <span class=\"text-white block w-full\">\n          <span class=\"interlink-content flex justify-between items-center\">\n            <div>\n                                                <span class=\"title leading-snug\">Read more about security specialists<\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n            <sonic-icon class=\"ml-3 md:ml-0\" icon=\"arrow-circle-right\" size=\"small\" color=\"#fff\"><\/sonic-icon>\n          <\/span>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\n<div class=\"sonic-interlink duration-500 flex hover:shadow-lg bg-secondary-700 \">\n    <a\n        target=\"_self\"\n        href=\"\/careers\/security-specialist\/day-in-the-life\"\n        class=\"flex items-center p-8 relative rounded w-full transition-opacity duration-500 hover:opacity-75\">\n                <span class=\"text-white block w-full\">\n          <span class=\"interlink-content flex justify-between items-center\">\n            <div>\n                                                <span class=\"title leading-snug\">What does a typical day for a security specialist look like?<\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n            <sonic-icon class=\"ml-3 md:ml-0\" icon=\"arrow-circle-right\" size=\"small\" color=\"#fff\"><\/sonic-icon>\n          <\/span>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\r\n  <section\n    class=\"relative py-3 md:py-16 my-10\"\n    data-preamp=\"editorial-listings\"\n    data-options=\n    data-tracking=\n    data-cy=\"editorial-listings-grid\"\n    \n  >\n    <div class=\"bg-full-width absolute border-t border-b border-gray-100 top-0 right-1\/2 left-1\/2 block h-full w-screen -mr-1\/2vw -ml-1\/2vw bg-quaternary-700 \"><\/div>\n\n    \n        <h2 class=\"text-center mb-8\">Top Online Bachelor's Programs<\/h2>\n    \n        <p class=\"text-center mb-8\">Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.<\/p>\n    \n    <sonic-editorial-listings\n      \n      \n      \n      limit=\"4\"\n      layout=\"stacked\"\n    ><\/sonic-editorial-listings>\n\n  <\/section>\n\n\r\n\r\n<h2>How Much Does a Security Specialist Make?<\/h2>\r\n<p>According to January 2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Computer_Security_Specialist\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Payscale data<\/a>, security specialists earn an average annual salary of $66,960. The average salary for security specialists can increase substantially over time, making this job a lucrative long-term career choice.<\/p>\r\n<p>Cybersecurity specialist earnings vary by experience, education level, and specialization. Other factors impacting salaries for security specialists include location and industry. To maximize earning potential, consider the data below about salary differences.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"statbox bg-secondary-50 text-secondary-800 h-full\">\n    <div class=\"statbox__content h-full mx-auto text-center px-4 sm:px-6 shadow-lg\">\n                    <p class=\"font-bold\">Computer Security Specialists<\/p>\n                <h3 class=\"statbox__title font-extrabold leading-9 sm:leading-10\">Average Annual Salary, January 2022<\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"statbox__text mt-4 leading-6\">\n                <p>\r\n<p>$66,960<\/p><br>\r\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Computer_Security_Specialist\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Payscale<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n\r\n\n  \n  \n  <a class=\"subnav-waypoint\" name=\"salary-by-experience\" id=\"salary-by-experience\"><\/a>\n\n\r\n\r\n<h3>Security Specialist Average Salary by Experience <\/h3>\r\n<p>The average salary for security specialists varies significantly by experience level. Security specialists with less experience earn lower average salaries than professionals with longer tenure in the field.<\/p>\r\n<p>According to Payscale data from January 2022, security specialists with less than one year of experience earn $56,230 per year on average. The most experienced security specialists &mdash; workers with more than 20 years on the job &mdash; earned an average salary of $92,990.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"everviz-v5HzI6KFW\" class=\"everviz-v5HzI6KFW\"><script src=\"https:\/\/app.everviz.com\/inject\/v5HzI6KFW\/\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><\/div>\r\n\r\n\n  \n  \n  <a class=\"subnav-waypoint\" name=\"salary-by-education\" id=\"salary-by-education\"><\/a>\n\n\r\n\r\n<h3>Security Specialist Average Salary by Education<\/h3>\r\n<p>Generally, the average salary for security specialists increases alongside education level. For example, Payscale data from January 2022 reveals professionals with only an <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/listings\/associate-degrees\/\">associate degree in cybersecurity<\/a> earn an average annual salary of $52,000, compared to $73,000 for graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity. <\/p>\r\n<p>The average salary for a security specialist with a master's <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/listings\/masters-degrees\/\">degree in cybersecurity<\/a> was even higher: $89,000 a year as of 2022. A security specialist might pursue higher education to qualify for advanced and management-level positions. <\/p>\r\n<p>Weigh the time and monetary commitments of completing additional education with the potential benefits of higher salaries and better job opportunities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"everviz-IP4F0i_Z5\" class=\"everviz-IP4F0i_Z5\"><script src=\"https:\/\/app.everviz.com\/inject\/IP4F0i_Z5\/\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><\/div>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Discover which education path is right for you<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul class=\"ssr-columns grid md:grid-cols-2 gap-3 \">\r\n<li><a href=\"\/listings\/bachelors-degrees\/\">Bachelor&rsquo;s in Cybersecurity Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"\/listings\/best-online-cyber-security-bachelors-degrees\/\">Best Online Bachelor&rsquo;s in Cybersecurity Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"\/listings\/masters-degrees\/\">Master's in Cybersecurity Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"\/listings\/top-online-masters-in-cyber-security-programs\/\">Best Online Master&rsquo;s in Cybersecurity Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"\/listings\/cyber-security-bootcamps\/\">Cybersecurity Bootcamps<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"\/listings\/associate-degrees\/\">Associate of Cybersecurity Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\n  \n  \n  <a class=\"subnav-waypoint\" name=\"salary-by-location\" id=\"salary-by-location\"><\/a>\n\n\r\n\r\n<h3>Security Specialist Average Salary by Location <\/h3>\r\n<p>Location also impacts the average salary for a security specialist. Some states, cities, and metropolitan areas pay a higher average salary for security specialists than others. Demand for the profession, cost of living, and population density all impact salary. Cities usually feature higher salaries and more expensive costs of living than rural areas.<\/p>\r\n<p>The BLS does not provide career data for security specialists. The tables below present data for top-paying metro areas, cities, and states for information security analysts, a similar career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Top-Paying Cities for Information Security Specialists, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"sonic-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>City<\/th>\r\n<th>Average Annual Salary<\/th>\r\n<th>Percent Above the National Average<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"City\">Phoenix, AZ<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$114,670<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Above Average\">49.4%<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"City\">Washington, D.C.<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$107,650<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Above Average\">40.3%<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"City\">San Diego, CA<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$105,000<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Above Average\">36.8%<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<figcaption>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Security_Specialist\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Payscale<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Security specialists earn high salaries in Phoenix, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Information Security Analysts, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"sonic-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Metropolitan Area<\/th>\r\n<th>Number of Security Specialists Employed<\/th>\r\n<th>Average Annual Salary<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">1,870<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$147,160<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">2,590<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$136,910<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">Idaho Falls, ID<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">210<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$130,620<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">8,280<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$130,000<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">160<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$128,750<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<figcaption>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes151212.htm#st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BLS<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>California boasts two of the top-paying metro areas for security specialists. Cybersecurity professionals also make high salaries in Idaho Falls, Idaho; the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area; and the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk region of Connecticut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Top-Paying States for Information Security Analysts, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"sonic-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>State<\/th>\r\n<th>Number of Security Specialists Employed<\/th>\r\n<th>Average Annual Salary<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">California<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">10,470<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$125,990<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">New York<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">6,450<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$125,920<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">New Jersey<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">4,000<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$123,280<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Washington, D.C.<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">1,810<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$119,460<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Virginia<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">16,160<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$116,920<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<figcaption>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes151212.htm#st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BLS<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Top-paying states for security specialists include <a href=\"\/listings\/california\/\">California<\/a>, <a href=\"\/listings\/new-york\/\">New York<\/a>, and <a href=\"\/listings\/new-jersey\/\">New Jersey<\/a>. <a href=\"\/listings\/district-of-columbia\/\">Washington, D.C.<\/a> and <a href=\"\/listings\/virginia\/\">Virginia<\/a> also rank in the top five. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\n  \n  \n  <a class=\"subnav-waypoint\" name=\"career-prospects\" id=\"career-prospects\"><\/a>\n\n\r\n\r\n<h2>Security Specialists' Job Outlook and Career Prospects<\/h2>\r\n<p>Pursuing a career as a security specialist can lead to excellent job security in positions with above-average salaries. Because of the ongoing threat of cyberattacks, job growth projections for security specialists and related careers is very high. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/information-security-analysts.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The BLS projects<\/a> a 33% growth for information security analysts from 2020-2030. <\/p>\r\n<p>Other factors spurring demand for cybersecurity professionals include the increasing use of cloud services and electronic medical records. Cyber Seek reported over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberseek.org\/heatmap.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">500,000 cybersecurity job openings<\/a> across U.S. industries as of January 2022. <\/p>\r\n<div class=\"pullquote inline-block text-xl font-bold \npullquote--border-top\npullquote--placement pullquote--placement-center\">\n    <p>\r\n  The BLS projects a 33% growth for information security analysts from 2020-2030.\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n<p>With experience and additional education, security specialists can advance into better-paying management positions like chief security officer or computer and information systems manager.<\/p>\r\n<p>The data below is not specific to security specialists but represents information security analysts, a similar career with BLS data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"statbox bg-secondary-50 text-secondary-800 h-full\">\n    <div class=\"statbox__content h-full mx-auto text-center px-4 sm:px-6 shadow-lg\">\n                    <p class=\"font-bold\">Information Security Analysts<\/p>\n                <h3 class=\"statbox__title font-extrabold leading-9 sm:leading-10\">Change in Projected Employment<\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"statbox__text mt-4 leading-6\">\n                <p>\r\n<p>+33% from 2020 to 2030<\/p><br>\r\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/information-security-analysts.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BLS<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n\r\n<h3>Best Locations for Security Specialist Careers <\/h3>\r\n<p>Location impacts the type and number of potential jobs for security specialists. The demand for cybersecurity professionals varies by region, state, and city. Security specialists typically find more job opportunities in metropolitan areas than in rural parts of the country. However, the growing prevalence of remote work may mean physical location matters less for career decisions than it once did.<\/p>\r\n<h4>Top States for Security Specialists<\/h4>\r\n<p>Virginia and California provide some of the best opportunities for cybersecurity specialists. Both states offer high salaries and plenty of security specialist job openings. This makes it easier to find a good-paying job in these states. <\/p>\r\n<p>The top-employing states for a career as a security specialist include <a href=\"\/listings\/virginia\/\">Virginia<\/a>, <a href=\"\/listings\/texas\/\">Texas<\/a>, and <a href=\"\/listings\/california\/\">California<\/a>. <a href=\"\/listings\/florida\/\">Florida<\/a> and <a href=\"\/listings\/maryland\/\">Maryland<\/a> also rank among the top five.<\/p>\r\n<p>The data in the following tables is not specific to security specialists, but represents information security analysts, a similar career with BLS data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Top-Employing States for Information Security Analysts, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"sonic-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Top-Employing States<\/th>\r\n<th>Number of Security Specialists Employed<\/th>\r\n<th>Average Annual Salary<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Virginia<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">16,160<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$116,920<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Texas<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">13,410<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$113,400<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">California<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">10,470<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$125,990<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Florida<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">7,600<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$95,190<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Maryland<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">7,090<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$111,310<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<figcaption>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes151212.htm#st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BLS<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>States With the Greatest Projected Increase in Employment for Information Security Analysts, 2018-28<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"sonic-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>State<\/th>\r\n<th>Percent Projected Change, 2018-28<\/th>\r\n<th>Average Annual Openings<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"3\"><strong>Greatest Projected Percentage Increase<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Utah<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">59.3%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">80<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">District of Columbia<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">52.6%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">220<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Colorado<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">50.3%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">510<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Virginia<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">45.4%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">1,930<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Nevada<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">44.2%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">70<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"3\"><strong>Most Projected Average Annual Openings<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Virginia<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">45.4%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">1,930<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Texas<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">38.2%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">1,040<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">New York<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">34.3%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">830<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">Florida<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">44%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">750<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"State\">California<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Percent Change\">32.7%<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Openings\">630<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<figcaption>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/projectionscentral.org\/Projections\/LongTerm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Projections Central<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n\n<div class=\"sonic-interlink duration-500 flex hover:shadow-lg bg-secondary-700 \">\n    <a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/states\/\" class=\"flex items-center p-8 relative rounded w-full transition-opacity duration-500 hover:opacity-75\">\n                <span class=\"text-white block w-full\">\n          <span class=\"interlink-content flex justify-between items-center\">\n            <div>\n                                                <span class=\"title leading-snug\">Explore cybersecurity programs by state<\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n            <sonic-icon class=\"ml-3 md:ml-0\" icon=\"arrow-circle-right\" size=\"small\" color=\"#fff\"><\/sonic-icon>\n          <\/span>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\r\n<h4>Top Metropolitan Areas for Security Specialists<\/h4>\r\n<p>Large metropolitan areas often offer higher average salaries and a larger number of jobs for security specialists. However, security professionals should also consider cost of living and quality of life in these areas when applying for jobs.<\/p>\r\n<p>Top-employing metro areas for cybersecurity specialists include Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria; New York-Newark-New Jersey; and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington. Other metro areas with high levels of security specialists include Boston-Cambridge-Nashua and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson.<\/p>\r\n<p>The data below is not specific to security specialists, but represents information security analysts, a similar career with BLS data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Top-Employing Metropolitan Areas for Information Security Analysts, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"sonic-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Metropolitan Area<\/th>\r\n<th>Number of Security Specialists Employed<\/th>\r\n<th>Average Annual Salary<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">15,750<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$117,920<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">8,280<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$130,000<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">6,130<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$117,480<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">4,520<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$109,220<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Metro Area\">Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">4,370<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$112,870<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<figcaption>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes151212.htm#st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BLS<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3>Best Industries for Security Specialist Careers<\/h3>\r\n<p>Diverse industries employ cybersecurity specialists. Consider both the number of jobs for security specialists available and the average salary for security specialists by industry. Some of the top-paying industries offer a very small number of jobs for security specialists, so the chance of finding work in that industry may be lower.<\/p>\r\n<p>The data in the tables below is not specific to security specialists, but represents information security analysts, a similar career with BLS data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Top-Paying Industries for Information Security Analysts, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"sonic-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Top-Paying Industries<\/th>\r\n<th>Number of Security Specialists Employed<\/th>\r\n<th>Average Annual Salary<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">330<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$132,150<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Other Information Services<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">680<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$131,050<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">790<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$128,330<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Automotive Repair and Maintenance<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">40<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$127,150<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Legal Services<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">660<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$125,980<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<figcaption>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes151212.htm#st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BLS<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Employment by Industry for Information Security Analysts, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"sonic-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Industries With Highest Employment<\/th>\r\n<th>Number of Security Specialists Employed<\/th>\r\n<th>Average Annual Salary<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Computer Systems Design and Related Services<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">36,280<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$108,910<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Management of Companies and Enterprises<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">13,330<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$104,960<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only)<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">10,880<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$110,490<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">7,410<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$110,440<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-title=\"Industry\">Insurance Carriers<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Employment\">5,450<\/td>\r\n<td data-title=\"Salary\">$103,230<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<figcaption>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes151212.htm#st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BLS<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3>Upward Mobility for Security Specialists <\/h3>\r\n<p>The cybersecurity field offers upward mobility through more advanced roles. These career opportunities include working as <a href=\"\/jobs\/chief-information-security-officer-ciso\/\">chief information security officers<\/a>, <a href=\"\/jobs\/security-consultant\/\">information security consultants<\/a>, <a href=\"\/jobs\/security-director\/\">security directors<\/a>, and computer and information systems managers. These jobs differ from security specialists in their scope and level of responsibility. <\/p>\r\n<p>These senior security positions may pay above-average salaries for security specialists. For example, Payscale data from January 2022 shows chief information security officers earn an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Chief_Information_Security_Officer\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">average annual salary of $166,940<\/a>. Computer and information systems managers earned a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/management\/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">median annual salary of $151,150<\/a> as of 2020, according to the BLS.<\/p>\r\n<p>Security specialists can move into these roles through experience, additional education, and professional certifications. <\/p>\r\n\r\n  \n\n  <section class=\"cards pt-2 pb-12 lg:pt-16 lg:pb-20 relative text-center text-gray-700 \" data-cy=\"cards\">\n    <div class=\"bg-full-width absolute top-0 right-1\/2 left-1\/2 block h-full w-screen -mr-1\/2vw -ml-1\/2vw bg-quaternary-700 \"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"mb-12\">\n                      <h2 class=\"heading-1 mb-8\">Learn More About Security Specialists<\/h2>\n          \n                  <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4\">\n        \r\n<div class=\"cards-item bg-white flex flex-col justify-start mt-0 overflow-hidden rounded shadow\" data-cy=\"cards-item\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\"\n          src=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Cyber_Jobs_Security-Specialist-425x230-c-default.jpg\"\n        alt=\"What Is a Security Specialist?\"\n  \/>\n  <div class=\"cards-item__content h-full flex flex-col p-6\">\n    <h4 class=\"cards-item__title\">What Is a Security Specialist?<\/h4>\n    <div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n      <p class=\"cards-item__text text-xs leading-5\">This page describes what to expect from a career as a security specialist, including typical duties and work environments.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n    <div class=\"flex mt-auto flex-col justify-between\">\n      <a class=\"sonic-btn large w-full md:w-max mx-auto bg-secondary-700 uppercase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/jobs\/security-specialist\/\">\n        Learn More\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\r\n<div class=\"cards-item bg-white flex flex-col justify-start mt-0 overflow-hidden rounded shadow\" data-cy=\"cards-item\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\"\n          src=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Cyber_Careers_Security-Specialist_How-to-become-425x230-c-default.jpg\"\n        alt=\"How to Become a Security Specialist\"\n  \/>\n  <div class=\"cards-item__content h-full flex flex-col p-6\">\n    <h4 class=\"cards-item__title\">How to Become a Security Specialist<\/h4>\n    <div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n      <p class=\"cards-item__text text-xs leading-5\">Learn the steps for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/careers\/security-specialist\/how-to-become\/\">becoming a security specialist<\/a>. We outline typical education and experience requirements.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n    <div class=\"flex mt-auto flex-col justify-between\">\n      <a class=\"sonic-btn large w-full md:w-max mx-auto bg-secondary-700 uppercase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/careers\/security-specialist\/how-to-become\/\">\n        Learn More\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\r\n<div class=\"cards-item bg-white flex flex-col justify-start mt-0 overflow-hidden rounded shadow\" data-cy=\"cards-item\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\"\n          src=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Cyber_Careers_Security-Specialist_Day-in-life-425x230-c-default.jpg\"\n        alt=\"Day in the Life of a Security Specialist\"\n  \/>\n  <div class=\"cards-item__content h-full flex flex-col p-6\">\n    <h4 class=\"cards-item__title\">Day in the Life of a Security Specialist<\/h4>\n    <div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n      <p class=\"cards-item__text text-xs leading-5\">This page includes a summary of what to expect from a typical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/careers\/security-specialist\/day-in-the-life\/\">day on the job as a security specialist<\/a>.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n    <div class=\"flex mt-auto flex-col justify-between\">\n      <a class=\"sonic-btn large w-full md:w-max mx-auto bg-secondary-700 uppercase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/careers\/security-specialist\/day-in-the-life\/\">\n        Learn More\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\r\n<div class=\"cards-item bg-white flex flex-col justify-start mt-0 overflow-hidden rounded shadow\" data-cy=\"cards-item\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\"\n          src=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Cyber_Careers_Security-Specialist_Certifications-425x230-c-default.jpg\"\n        alt=\"Certifications for Security Specialists\"\n  \/>\n  <div class=\"cards-item__content h-full flex flex-col p-6\">\n    <h4 class=\"cards-item__title\">Certifications for Security Specialists<\/h4>\n    <div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n      <p class=\"cards-item__text text-xs leading-5\">Find out which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/careers\/security-specialist\/certifications\/\">certifications can help you land jobs for security specialists<\/a>. We explain what to expect from the certification process.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n    <div class=\"flex mt-auto flex-col justify-between\">\n      <a class=\"sonic-btn large w-full md:w-max mx-auto bg-secondary-700 uppercase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/careers\/security-specialist\/certifications\/\">\n        Learn More\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\r\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n\r\n\r\n\n  \n  \n  <a class=\"subnav-waypoint\" name=\"faq\" id=\"faq\"><\/a>\n\n\r\n\r\n<h2>Security Specialists' Salary and Career FAQs<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3>What are the highest-paying security specialist jobs?<\/h3>\r\n<p>Many jobs for security specialists offer high salaries. For example, information security analysts earned a median annual salary of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/information-security-analysts.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">$103,590 as of 2020<\/a>. The potential salary for a security specialist varies by experience, education level, location, and industry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Where is the best state to work as a security specialist?<\/h3>\r\n<p>The answer to this question depends on your preferences and needs. In terms of salary and job availability, California and Virginia are two states with promising career prospects for security specialists.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>How do I increase my salary as a cybersecurity specialist?<\/h3>\r\n<p>Ways to increase a cybersecurity specialist salary include pursuing higher education, earning a certification, or moving to an area with more cybersecurity jobs. The average salary for security specialists goes up for those with higher degrees.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>What degree do you need to have a security specialist career?<\/h3>\r\n<p>For a career as a security specialist, you often need at least a bachelor's degree in a computer science-related field. Completing a master's degree can open the door to more advanced jobs with higher salaries.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Interested in becoming a cybersecurity specialist? Read on to learn about job outlook, top states, and salaries for security specialists.","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":3675,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/template-dcs.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"states":[],"resources-overview":[],"degrees":[],"jobs-overview":[],"rankings":[],"class_list":["post-3671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"menu_order":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3671\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3671"},{"taxonomy":"states","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/states?post=3671"},{"taxonomy":"resources-overview","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources-overview?post=3671"},{"taxonomy":"degrees","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/degrees?post=3671"},{"taxonomy":"jobs-overview","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jobs-overview?post=3671"},{"taxonomy":"rankings","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rankings?post=3671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}