Updated with new data from CyberSeek in November 2018.
Cybersecurity is constantly evolving and growing – currently, there are more than 768,000 IT pros employed in cybersecurity in the United States. And there are more than 300,000 current U.S. job openings in cybersecurity that need talented IT pros like yourself. Keep reading to learn about the different types of cybersecurity jobs and salaries and how to start your cybersecurity career.
What Cybersecurity Jobs Are Out There?
According to CyberSeek, the top three cybersecurity job titles are cybersecurity engineer, cybersecurity analyst and network engineer. Even if you don’t have a ton of experience yet, there’s a place for you in cybersecurity, with employers seeking IT pros for entry-level, mid-level and advanced-level cybersecurity jobs. We've outlined a few of the most popular ones, along with the certifications you need, in the table below. (P.S. See what's on a cybersecurity certification exam by downloading the exam objectives.)
Common Cybersecurity Job Titles and Details
| Job Title | Description | Salary Data | Job Growth | Related Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Cybersecurity specialist median annual wage: $75,000 |
18% growth from 2014 to 2024 |
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Cybersecurity analyst median annual salary: $85,000 |
28% from 2016 to 2026 |
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Penetration tester average salary: $102,000 |
18% from 2014 to 2024 |
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Cybersecurity engineer median annual salary: $108,000 |
28% growth from 2016 to 2026 |
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How to Get a Cybersecurity Job
Cybersecurity Certifications
While there are many cybersecurity certifications out there, the certifications in the CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway build upon each other and help IT pros move forward in their cybersecurity careers, from entry-level to advanced.
- CompTIA Security+ is a great starting point for getting into cybersecurity. This IT certification assesses the knowledge, skills and abilities an IT professional demonstrates after two years of cybersecurity field work and establishes the core knowledge required of any cybersecurity role.
- At the intermediate level, CompTIA offers certifications for both offensive and defensive cybersecurity: CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) and CompTIA PenTest+. CompTIA CySA+ focuses on defense through incident detection and response and CompTIA PenTest+ focuses on offense through penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. These IT certifications assess three to four years of cybersecurity field work.
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) enables experienced cybersecurity professionals to prove their mastery of the skills required at the 5- to 10-year experience level. CASP is the pinnacle of cybersecurity certifications and is intended for those who wish to remain immersed in hands-on enterprise security, incident response and architecture, for example, as opposed to managing cybersecurity policy and frameworks.
What's on a Cybersecurity Certification Exam?
Wondering what's on a cybersecurity certification exam? You're in luck, because we provide that in our exam objectives. Download the exam objectives for the CompTIA certification that matches your experience level.
Cybersecurity Degrees
You can get into cybersecurity with a certification, a degree or both. It really depends on what you want to do and what kind of experience you already have. Websites like CyberDegrees.org outline numerous options for pursuing a cybersecurity degree. You can filter between what degree type (associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and others) or program (online or in person) you are looking for. CyberDegrees.org does the leg work for you, providing lists that break down the top online bachelor’s degrees, top schools in the country and more!
On-the-Job Cybersecurity Experience
Even if you aren’t working in a cybersecurity role yet, you already may have cybersecurity experience from another IT role. Cybersecurity feeder roles are IT career areas that are most likely to serve as stepping stones into a cybersecurity career. Networking, software development, systems engineering, financial and risk analysis, and security intelligence are all feeder roles that CyberSeek has identified as great paths from which to transition into cybersecurity.
Why It’s Great to Have a Cybersecurity Job
There are many ways a career in cybersecurity can bring benefits to your life. If you want a fulfilling career in a field that is everchanging and only continuing to grow, then a career in cybersecurity may be perfect for you. Cybersecurity offers many different sub-fields as well as financial stability, with average salaries approaching, if not exceeding, six figures. Most importantly, a career in cybersecurity is rewarding – you are a real-life superhero, defending your network and protecting your organization from attacks. A career in cybersecurity is waiting for you!
Want to know what’s on a cybersecurity certification exam? Download our exam objectives today.
