Highest Paying Cybersecurity Jobs with State & City-wise Salary

Cybercrime is a constant threat, and the demand for digital defenders is soaring. This has made cybersecurity one of the most stable and high-paying career paths available today, with even entry-level roles averaging a salary of $69,660.

But what does “high-paying” actually mean? A national median doesn’t tell the whole story. Your salary depends heavily on your specific role, your industry, and where you live.

This guide provides the clear, data-driven answers you need. We’ll break down the numbers to show you where the real earning potential lies.

Overview: National Average Salary And Key Factors

Cybersecurity isn’t “one-size-fits-all.” Salaries stretch from strong entry-level numbers to astonishing executive packages.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for information security analysts is approximately $124,910 in May 2024. The lowest 10% of earners make around $69,660 or less, while the top 10% can earn over $186,420.

Even at the low end, these roles outpace many other industries, and if you’re aiming high, upskilling can open the door to much bigger rewards.

Here’s a quick look at salary at a glance:

Note: Entry-to-executive salaries use market averages, while BLS figures reflect official medians and percentiles.

What Factors Influence A Cybersecurity Professional’s Salary?

Why such a wide range in salaries? It comes down to four key variables. Understanding these is the first step to maximizing your income.

• Experience and Certifications: Your proven skills are your biggest asset. Entry-level professionals typically start at the lower end, but experience and key certifications, such as CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), can directly translate to a higher salary bracket.
• Work Environment/Industry: The industry you work in greatly affects your pay. Sectors like finance, government, and technology often pay more due to the sensitive nature of their data and the critical need for top-tier security.
• Location (State/City): Pay varies across the country. A cybersecurity professional in a central tech hub like San Francisco, New York, or Silicon Valley will have a much higher median salary than someone in a state with a lower cost of living.
• Job Title or Role Level: The specific job you hold is a major determinant of your salary. A highly specialized role, like a Security Architect, will command a higher salary than a general Security Analyst.

Highest-Paying Roles And The Career Path To The Top

While the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) represents the pinnacle of the career ladder, a career in this field is a progression, with each step bringing more responsibility and higher pay. Here is a look at a range of highly lucrative jobs that illustrate a typical career progression in cybersecurity.

1. Information Security Analyst

• Description: This is a foundational role, an entry-to-mid-level position, and a great place to start your journey. Analysts monitor systems for potential breaches, investigate incidents, and assist in implementing security measures.
• Median Salary (BLS): $124,910. Entry to mid-level positions typically start in the $85,000 to $95,000 range.

2. Cybersecurity Engineer

• Description: As you gain experience, you can advance to an engineering role. These professionals are responsible for implementing and maintaining the security systems designed by architects. They build and manage firewalls, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and other defense mechanisms.
• Typical Salary: The average salary for a Cybersecurity Engineer is approximately $130,000, with experienced professionals earning $ 148,000 or more.

3. Lead Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker

• Description: Known as “ethical hackers,” these specialists are hired to legally break into a company’s systems to identify and fix vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them. This is a highly specialized and in-demand role that often requires certifications like CEH or OSCP.
• Salary: The average annual salary for a Penetration Tester is approximately $119,895, but a Lead or highly experienced professional can earn as high as $168,500 or more in high-demand areas.

4. Cybersecurity Architect

• Description: As you continue to progress, you can become a “master planner” for an organization’s security infrastructure. Architects design and build secure network systems and frameworks to protect against cyber threats.
• Salary: Cybersecurity Architects can expect to earn an average $157,632 per year, with higher salaries for those with extensive experience and expertise.

5. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

• Description: The CISO is the pinnacle of the cybersecurity career ladder. This senior-level executive is responsible for an organization’s entire cybersecurity strategy, overseeing all security operations, policies, and a team of professionals, and reporting directly to other C-suite executives.
• Salary: CISOs are among the highest-paid professionals in the field, with salaries of even $275,113 and more. The highest earners can command much more, especially in large corporations.

Salary By Industry: Where You Work Matters

A job title doesn’t tell the whole story. The industry you work in can significantly shift your earning potential. Different sectors face different threat levels and place a different value on data security.

Here are the top-paying industries for information security analysts, according to the official May 2024 data from the BLS:

• Information: Median Salary of $136,390
• Management of Companies (Corporate Offices): Median Salary of $127,840
• Finance and Insurance: Median Salary of $126,970
• Computer Systems Design: Median Salary of $126,690
• Consulting Services: Median Salary of $120,050

Salary By Location: State And City

Beyond job titles, location plays a significant role, as pay varies dramatically by state and city. The data from ZipRecruiter and edX below shows the Average Cybersecurity Salary.

Top 5 Highest-Paying States

Lowest-Paying States

Highest-Paying Metropolitan Areas (Annual Mean Wage)

Major metropolitan areas are the epicenters of the cybersecurity industry, commanding the highest salaries due to intense competition for talent and a higher cost of living. Here are the top-paying metro regions in the nation, according to the BLS:

• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $175,520
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $168,160
• Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: $138,410 (crucial government hub)
• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $138,360
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: $152,660

Highest-Paying Non-Metropolitan Areas (Annual Mean Wage)

While they don’t reach the peaks of Silicon Valley, some non-metropolitan areas offer surprisingly competitive salaries, often exceeding the national average for many other professions. This can be an attractive option when factoring in a significantly lower cost of living. Here are some of the top-paying regions(BLS) outside major cities:

• Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area: $137,110
• Western Washington nonmetropolitan area: $137,090
• Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area: $133,890
• Maryland nonmetropolitan area: $131,440
• Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area: $124,030

Career Growth, Advancement, And Future Outlook

Beyond just salary, cybersecurity offers a stable and expanding career path. The BLS projects employment for information security analysts to grow 29% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

The increasing frequency of cyberattacks and the widespread adoption of new technologies ensure a constant need for skilled professionals.

How To Boost Your Earning Potential As A Cybersecurity Pro

• Get Certified: Pursue industry-recognized certifications like CISSP, CISM, CEH, or CompTIA Security+. These credentials validate your skills and can lead to significant pay bumps.
• Specialize: Specialization in high-demand niches makes you a more valuable asset to employers. Focus on lucrative areas like cloud security (AWS, Google, Azure), penetration testing, threat intelligence, or digital forensics to command higher salaries and advance your career.”
• Pursue a Higher Degree: While not always required, a master’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field can help you land senior management or leadership roles.
• Gain Experience: The more on-the-job experience you have, the more you can command. Transitioning from a general IT role into a specialized security role can be a great way to move up.
• Develop Soft Skills: In addition to technical expertise, strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills are essential for higher-paying roles, especially those in management.

Final Words

Becoming a cybersecurity professional is a smart move for anyone seeking a rewarding career with high earning potential and strong job security. 

While a typical entry-level salary is already competitive, with experience and a dedication to continuous learning, you can advance to senior roles and earn well into the six figures.

Begin your journey with CCI Training Center’s Cybersecurity Training Program and take the first step toward a future in digital defense.