Cyber Security Salary for Beginners and Experienced

As cyber threats continue to rise, organizations across the US are actively investing in skilled professionals to safeguard data, systems, and critical infrastructure. 

This growing demand has led to strong salary prospects for both entry-level and experienced cybersecurity professionals. 

In this blog, we break down cybersecurity salaries for beginners and experienced professionals, explore average pay by role, and highlight the key factors, such as certifications, skills, experience, and location, that influence earnings. 

Whether you’re starting your cybersecurity journey or planning your next career move, this guide offers a clear view of what you can expect and how to grow your salary over time.

Average Entry-Level Cybersecurity Salary

In 2026, the average annual salary for a Cybersecurity Analyst in the United States is $83,223.

Salary Breakdown (Annual):

• Base Salary: $57,000 – $124,000
• Bonus: $1,000 – $13,000
• Profit Sharing: $494 – $16,000
• Commission: $0 – $10,000
• Total Annual Compensation: $53,000 – $126,000

Average Hourly Pay
The average hourly wage for a Cybersecurity Analyst in 2026 is $29.60.

• Hourly Rate: $18 – $49
• Bonus: $1,000 – $13,000
• Profit Sharing: $494 – $16,000
• Commission: $0 – $10,000
• Total Annual Equivalent Pay: $53,000 – $126,000

Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job Roles and Salaries

1. Information Security Analyst

The role focuses on identifying vulnerabilities, monitoring security incidents, and implementing preventive controls to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and compliance with security regulations.

Average Salary

• Entry-Level (<1 year experience): ~$67,086
• Early Career (1–4 years experience): ~$77,280

Roles & Responsibilities

• Monitor networks and systems for security breaches and suspicious activity
• Implement and maintain security tools such as firewalls, IDS/IPS, and SIEM systems
• Conduct regular security audits, risk assessments, and penetration testing
• Investigate incidents and respond to cyberattacks in real time
• Ensure compliance with security standards (ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)

Skills in Demand

• Network security, encryption, and access control
• Threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management
• Familiarity with SIEM tools (Splunk, QRadar) and endpoint security solutions
• Machine LearningKnowledge of cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Understanding of cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, CIS, Zero Trust)

2. Security Engineer 

A Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains security systems that protect applications, networks, and infrastructure from cyber threats. The role is more hands-on and technical, focusing on building secure architectures and proactively defending systems against attacks.

Average Salary

• Entry-Level (<1 year experience): ~$76,332
• Early Career (1–4 years experience): ~$96,811

Roles & Responsibilities

• Design and implement secure network, cloud, and application architectures
• Deploy and manage security tools such as firewalls, WAFs, and EDR solutions
• Perform vulnerability assessments and remediate security gaps
• Automate security processes and incident response workflows
• Collaborate with DevOps and engineering teams to embed security by design

Skills in Demand

• Network, application, and cloud security fundamentals
• Hands-on experience with security tools (WAF, IDS/IPS, EDR)
• Scripting and automation (Python, Bash, Terraform)
• Knowledge of DevSecOps, CI/CD security, and container security
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and system design skills

3. Penetration Tester 

A Penetration Tester ethically simulates cyberattacks to identify security vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications before attackers can exploit them.

Average Salary

• Entry-Level (<1 year experience): ~$72,823
• Early Career (1–4 years experience): ~$96,429

Roles & Responsibilities

• Conduct penetration testing on networks, applications, and cloud systems
• Identify, exploit, and document security vulnerabilities
• Perform red teaming and adversary simulation exercises
• Prepare detailed risk and remediation reports for stakeholders
• Validate fixes through re-testing and continuous assessments

Skills in Demand

• Strong knowledge of ethical hacking and attack methodologies
• Hands-on experience with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap
• Web, network, and cloud security testing expertise
• Understanding of OWASP Top 10 and security frameworks

As the industry moves toward more complex defensive strategies, specialized training becomes essential. 

For those looking to bridge the gap between foundational knowledge and these high-demand technical roles, the Post Graduate Program in Cybersecurity from Texas McCombs offers a comprehensive path forward.

It is a 20-week cyber security course designed to equip professionals with industry-ready skills. It covers five critical milestones: building a strong cybersecurity foundation, mastering network security, exploring various cyber attacks, designing resilient security controls, and understanding GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance). 

Cybersecurity Salary for Mid-Level Professionals

Mid-level cybersecurity professionals with 3–7 years of experience typically earn competitive compensation as their responsibilities expand beyond monitoring to ownership of security functions.

• Average Annual Salary (2026): $97,977
• Average Hourly Rate: $38.91
• Hourly Range: $27 – $71
• Bonus: $1,000 – $17,000

At this stage, compensation is strongly influenced by:

Depth of Skills (Mid-Level Cybersecurity)

• Advanced threat detection, incident response, and root cause analysis
• Hands-on experience with SIEM, EDR, and security automation tools
• Strong understanding of network, endpoint, and cloud security controls
• Ability to perform vulnerability assessments and risk prioritization
• Working knowledge of compliance frameworks and security policies

Key Specializations in Demand

• Cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• SOC operations and threat intelligence
• DevSecOps and CI/CD security
• Identity and access management (IAM)
• Application security and penetration testing

Ownership Expectations

• Own and manage security controls for assigned systems or domains
• Lead incident response for medium-to-high severity events
• Drive remediation efforts and coordinate with IT and DevOps teams
• Improve security processes, playbooks, and monitoring workflows
• Report risks, metrics, and recommendations to senior stakeholders

Salaries for Mid-Level Job Role

1. Application Security Engineer
An Application Security Engineer focuses on embedding security directly into the software development lifecycle to ensure applications are secure from design through deployment.

• Average Salary - $97,684

Roles & Responsibilities

• Integrate security controls into SDLC and agile workflows
• Review application architecture for secure design principles
• Implement secure coding standards across development teams
• Manage application security testing pipelines within CI/CD
• Partner with developers to resolve security flaws during development

Skills in Demand

• Secure software architecture and design patterns
• Static and dynamic application security testing (SAST/DAST) concepts
• Secure coding practices for modern frameworks
• CI/CD pipeline security integration
• Strong collaboration with engineering teams

2. Identity & Access Management (IAM) Engineer

An IAM Engineer manages digital identities and access privileges to ensure the right users have the right level of access at the right time.

Average Salary- $103,525

Roles & Responsibilities

• Design and manage identity lifecycle workflows
• Implement role-based and attribute-based access controls
• Enforce authentication and authorization policies
• Integrate IAM solutions across enterprise systems
• Support compliance through access governance and audits

Skills in Demand

• Identity governance and administration (IGA)
• Single sign-on (SSO) and federation protocols
• Access provisioning and de-provisioning strategies
• Privileged access management (PAM) concepts
• Strong understanding of enterprise access models

3. Network Security Engineer

A Network Security Engineer secures the enterprise communication infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable data transmission across internal and external networks.

• Average Salary- $102,848

Roles & Responsibilities

• Design secure network segmentation and traffic flows
• Configure and manage secure routing and switching policies
• Protect data transmission across WAN, LAN, and VPN environments
• Optimize network performance while enforcing security controls
• Support secure connectivity for remote and hybrid workforces

Skills in Demand

• Deep understanding of network protocols and architectures
• Secure network design and segmentation strategies
• VPN, NAC, and secure connectivity concepts
• Network performance monitoring and optimization
• Strong troubleshooting and network analysis skills

Who Is an Experienced Cybersecurity Professional?

An experienced cybersecurity professional is someone with 8+ years of hands-on industry experience who has progressed beyond execution into strategic, leadership, or specialized roles. They typically:

• Lead security teams or programs and mentor junior professionals
• Design and oversee enterprise-level security architectures
• Own critical domains such as cloud security, threat intelligence, incident response, or governance
• Make risk-based decisions aligned with business objectives
• Influence security strategy, compliance, and long-term resilience across the organization

Salary for Experienced Cybersecurity Job Roles

1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) 

A CISO oversees an organization’s entire cybersecurity strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals while managing risks and regulatory compliance.

Average Salary- $184,738

Roles & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategies
• Align security initiatives with business objectives and risk appetite
• Lead incident response and crisis management at the executive level
• Manage security budgets, teams, and vendor relationships
• Report cybersecurity posture to the board and stakeholders

Skills in Demand

• Strategic risk management and governance
• Cybersecurity policy development and compliance expertise
• Executive leadership and team management
• Vendor and contract management for security solutions
• Business continuity and disaster recovery planning

2. Senior Security Consultant 

A Senior Security Consultant provides expert advice to organizations on identifying vulnerabilities, improving security posture, and implementing advanced defense strategies.

• Average Salary- $140,958

Roles & Responsibilities

• Conduct high-level security assessments and risk analysis
• Advise on enterprise security architecture and best practices
• Lead complex penetration tests and threat modeling exercises
• Guide organizations on regulatory compliance and security standards
• Mentor junior consultants and support client security projects

Skills in Demand

• Advanced risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Security architecture consulting
• Regulatory compliance expertise (ISO, NIST, GDPR)
• Threat modeling and advanced vulnerability analysis
• Strong client communication and advisory skills

3. Application Security Manager 

An Application Security Manager oversees the security of software products, ensuring secure development practices and managing a team of application security professionals.

Average Salary- $123,387

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead application security programs and initiatives
• Manage a team of developers and security engineers
• Review and enforce secure coding and testing practices
• Coordinate application security audits and compliance reviews
• Define security KPIs and track remediation effectiveness

Skills in Demand

• Leadership in application security programs
• Secure SDLC management and process implementation
• Team and project management skills
• Risk assessment and vulnerability prioritization
• Knowledge of software security testing tools and frameworks

4. Information Security Officer 

An Information Security Officer implements and enforces security policies and procedures to safeguard organizational data and IT assets.

• Average Salary- $121,825

Roles & Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain enterprise security policies
• Monitor compliance with internal and external regulations
• Coordinate audits, risk assessments, and security awareness programs
• Investigate security incidents and implement corrective actions
• Collaborate with IT teams to strengthen security controls

Skills in Demand

• Security policy and procedure development
• Regulatory compliance and auditing expertise
• Risk assessment and mitigation planning
• Security awareness training and program management
• Incident investigation and response coordination

Reaching these senior-level compensation brackets requires a deep mastery of advanced technical concepts like AI-driven threat detection and complex risk management. To meet these rigorous industry standards, the Johns Hopkins Cybersecurity Certificate Program provides the high-level expertise required for modern defense.

Learners explore foundational principles through the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 and engage in hands-on labs using industry-standard tools like Nessus. This Cybersecurity Certificate Program features dedicated modules on "AI for Cybersecurity," covering GenAI use cases, LLM firewalls, and machine learning integration to enhance real-time threat detection and response.

Cybersecurity Salary by Location in the U.S.

City / Location	Average Salary	Payscale Link
San Francisco, CA	$118,992	San Francisco Salary Data
Seattle, WA	$88,668	Seattle Salary Data
Washington, DC	$97,949	Washington, D.C. Salary Data
Los Angeles, CA	$88,814	Los Angeles Salary Data
New York, NY	$85,964	New York Salary Data
Chicago, IL	$79,833	Chicago Salary Data
Austin, TX	$78,316	Austin Salary Data

Factors That Influence Cybersecurity Salaries

1. Professional Certifications

Certifications are among the most direct ways to increase salary, as they validate specialized knowledge to employers. "Management-level" certs (like CISSP/CISM) often command the highest premiums.

Certification	Average Annual Salary	Payscale Link
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)	~$132,000	CISSP Salary Data
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)	~$141,000	CISM Salary Data
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)	~$108,000	CEH Salary Data
Security+ (CompTIA - Entry Level)	~$89,000	Security+ Salary Data

2. Specialized Skills

Generalist roles (like "Analyst") pay well, but deep technical specialization in high-demand areas can increase compensation by 20% or more.

• Cloud Computing Security: Professionals with this skill earn significantly more due to the mass migration to AWS/Azure, with an average of $143k/year. Base Salary (USD).
  
• Digital Forensics: A niche skill for investigating breaches and legal cases earns $95k/ year/  Avg. Base Salary (USD

3. Education Level

Advanced degrees and specialized Cyber security courses can positively influence salaries. Beyond a traditional degree, completing industry-recognized courses and postgraduate programs often qualifies professionals for leadership or specialized technical roles that offer significantly higher compensation

4. Location

Geography plays a major role in compensation. Salaries are higher in regions with a strong tech presence or high demand for cybersecurity talent. For example:

• San Francisco / Silicon Valley: Average salaries 20–30% above the national average.
• New York / Washington D.C.: High salaries due to financial institutions and government contracts.
• Other U.S. Cities: Competitive but slightly lower than top tech hubs.

5. Industry and Organization Size

Salaries vary by sector and company size. Professionals in finance, healthcare, and technology often earn more due to higher risk and regulatory demands. Large enterprises typically offer better pay and benefits than small or mid-sized businesses.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity offers a rewarding career path with competitive salaries at every level of experience. From entry-level roles to leadership positions, the field continues to grow rapidly due to increasing cyber threats and a persistent talent shortage. 

For both beginners and seasoned professionals, investing in the right skills, certifications, and hands-on experience can significantly boost earning potential and career growth, making cybersecurity not just a job but a future-proof career choice.