6 Highest Paying Jobs in Cybersecurity in 2024 With Salaries Techopedia

With ransomware and malware running rampant, pretty much every company connected to the internet needs to pay attention to their cybersecurity — and the larger the company, the larger the target.

So, this is the perfect time to jump-start a career in cybersecurity or take your existing position to the next level.

What is the average and the highest cyber security salary in 2024? To help you on your journey, we’ve rounded up some information on the six highest-paying cyber security jobs.

Key Takeaways

As the costs of data breaches continue to increase, organizations need to hire skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect their sensitive corporate data.
The demand for cyber security jobs is on the rise, with many companies offering competitive salaries to attract skilled professionals.
Still, these companies remain at risk as they struggle to find skilled cybersecurity professionals to fill critical positions.
The six highest-paying jobs in cybersecurity include сhief information security officer, director of information security, cybersecurity architect, cybersecurity engineer, application security engineer, and cybersecurity manager.
See our pick for the highest-paid cyber security salary at the bottom!

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
6 Highest Paying Jobs in Cybersecurity
Cyber Security Salary: How to Climb to the Top Range?
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
6 Highest Paying Jobs in Cybersecurity
Cyber Security Salary: How to Climb to the Top Range?

Show Full Guide

The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

6 Highest Paying Jobs in Cybersecurity

These are the six highest-paid jobs in cybersecurity.

Job Title	Average Salary	Average Low-High Range
Chief Information Security Officer	$218,127	$155,805 – $280,450
Director of Information Security	$180,949	$97,030 – $264,869
Cybersecurity Architect	$153,750	$92,000 – $215,500
Cybersecurity Engineer	$142,500	$110,000 – $175,000
Application Security Engineer	$147,070	$81,942 – $212,198
Cybersecurity Manager	$123,500	$57,000 – $190,000

6. Cybersecurity Manager Salary & Requirements

Average Salary: $123,500

Average Low-High Range: $57,000 – $190,000

A cybersecurity manager’s role is to protect the organization’s information systems, identify threats to those systems, and respond to those threats and cyberattacks. It is also the cybersecurity manager’s responsibility to develop a plan the organization can implement in the event of a cyberattack.

The person in this position implements procedures to safeguard the company’s computer and database infrastructures. The cybersecurity manager’s duties also include selecting, implementing, and managing the best antivirus software and the best VPNs for the organization’s network infrastructure.

The cybersecurity manager may also be required to train employees on these security measures. Hence, they know how to operate their devices securely. As this is a management-level position, the individual in this role may oversee other security professionals.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average cybersecurity salary for a manager in the U.S. is $132,962, with a low of $57,000 and a high of $186,000. According to Payscale.com, the average salary for this position is $136,749, with a low of $84,000 and a high of $190,000.

Cybersecurity Manager Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity information technology with a focus on cybersecurity, computer science, or related fields.
Five to 10 years of network administration or computer security experience.

5. Application Security Engineer Salary & Requirements

Average Salary: $147,070

Average Low-High Range: $81,942 – $212,198

The role of an application security engineer is to ensure all the applications that run in different environments, i.e., on-premises or in the cloud, are secure. These professionals pinpoint and mitigate security vulnerabilities in the applications their organizations develop and deploy. They work with development teams to establish security control measures throughout the software development lifecycle and implement tools and techniques to protect already deployed apps.

Application Security Engineer Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or related fields.
Two to four years of entry-level experience in the field.

4. Cybersecurity Engineer Salary & Requirements

Average Salary: $142,500

Average Low-High Range: $110,000 – $175,000

Sometimes known as an information security engineer, a cybersecurity engineer identifies and remediates vulnerabilities and threats in a company’s computer systems and network. The cybersecurity engineer implements security procedures to safeguard corporate data in the event of a cyberattack. This individual collaborates with the organization’s IT team, reporting directly to upper management.

The salary range for a cybersecurity engineer is typically between $119,853 and $148,692, according to Salary.com. Talent.com reports that the average annual cybersecurity engineer salary in the U.S. ranges from $110,000 to $175,000 per year.

Cybersecurity Engineer Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, computer science, or information technology.
Experience operating and maintaining firewalls and different forms of endpoint security.
Proficiency in such languages/tools as Java, Node, C++, Ruby, Python, Go, and Power Shell.

3. Cybersecurity Architect Salary & Requirements

Average Salary: $153,750

Average Low-High Range: $92,000 – $215,500

A cybersecurity architect (also called a security architect) is a senior-level role that plans, designs, tests, implements, and maintains the enterprise’s computer and network security infrastructures. This position requires comprehensive knowledge of the business and the technology it uses to conduct operations.

A cybersecurity architect must also be able to think like a hacker to anticipate and defend the business against cyber threats. A cybersecurity architect assesses the company’s systems for weaknesses, conducting vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, and ethical hacks.

The salary for a cybersecurity architect typically ranges from $92,000 to $215,500. ZipRecruiter reports that the average yearly salary for a cybersecurity architect is $149,349, with a top salary of $215,500. However, according to Zippia.com, the salary for a cybersecurity architect ranges from $92,000 – $179,000.

Cybersecurity Architect Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, or a similar field.
Five to 10 years of IT experience, including working with application development, systems analysis, and business planning.
Three to five years of experience focusing on security.

2. Director of Information Security Salary & Requirements

Average Salary: $180,949

Average Low-High Range: $97,030 – $264,869

Like the CISO, the director of information security is a senior-level role within an enterprise’s information security function. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the security of the company’s information assets. The information security director manages the everyday operations of the company’s information security program, including performing risk assessments, deploying and maintaining security controls, and responding to cybersecurity incidents.

The median annual salary for a director of information security in the U.S. is $192,121, while the range for this position typically falls between $173,905 and $212,390, according to Salary.com. This makes it one of the highest paid cyber security jobs. According to Indeed.com, the average salary is $160,313, with a low salary of $97,030 and a high salary of $264,869.

Director of Information Security Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT security, or database administration.
Five to 10 years of experience in cybersecurity and information technology administration.

1. Chief Information Security Officer Salary & Requirements

Average Salary: $218,127

Average Low-High Range: $155,805 – $280,450

The chief information security officer (CISO) oversees a company’s entire security operation to ensure critical data is protected from internal and external threats. This C-suite exec implements policies and procedures to avoid these security threats and reduce the risks of a data breach while also enabling and advancing the business’s goals.

The median annual salary for a CISO in the U.S. is $243,943, according to Salary.com, with a low salary of $218,617 and a high salary of $275,578. SalaryExpert.com estimates that the average CISO salary is $225,224, with an entry-level salary of $155,805 and a senior-level CISO salary of $280,450.

We class it as the highest cyber security salary available today.

Chief Information Security Officer Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field.
At least five years in a management role.
Familiarity with numerous security practices technologies.
Understanding of the industry regulations.

Cyber Security Salary: How to Climb to the Top Range?

According to Dr. Michelle Moore, Academic Director, University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Cyber Security Operations, the demand for cybersecurity professionals with the right experience and education far outpaces the supply.

Data from the University of San Diego’s Cybersecurity Employment Growth Report showed:

46% of cybersecurity professionals are contacted weekly by recruiters, regardless of whether they are actively looking for a job.
Cyber security salary of $500,000 is an earning potential for top executives and elite bug bounty hunters.

The highest salary in cyber security might seem lucrative, but getting to the corresponding level of experience to qualify for it takes lots of effort and knowledge.

Chuck Bane, Academic Director and Professor of Practice for the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering, said:

“Strong cybersecurity capabilities have become absolutely essential for all organizations today. Unfortunately, an industry-wide talent shortage is making it extremely hard for employers to find qualified professionals. The result is unprecedented opportunity for current and aspiring cybersecurity professionals to earn high salaries performing important and meaningful work.”

According to Fortinet’s 2023 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, most leaders recognize the value of specialized technical knowledge and skills.

82% of respondents indicate their organization would benefit from cybersecurity certifications.
90% indicate they would pay for an employee to obtain a cybersecurity certification.

Although taking high-quality cyber security courses and getting a degree at one of the best cybersecurity universities and schools can give you an edge in your path toward a cybersecurity job with the highest salary, self-education is a never-ending journey.

San Diego’s Bane said:

“Technology is moving so fast that just because you go and get a certification or get a degree doesn’t mean you are done. You can’t be stagnant. You have to stay up to date and stay current with it; keep learning, especially within your area of expertise.”

The Bottom Line

Today, more than ever, organizations in virtually every industry are seeking individuals with cybersecurity skills to fill vacant positions. The problem is that there are few qualified applicants.

Consequently, thousands and tens of thousands of cybersecurity positions remain unfilled because of the lack of candidates with the necessary education, training, skills, or experience.

So whether you’re looking to begin a career in the cybersecurity field or take your existing career to the next level, your chances are good if you apply yourself, aim for the stars, and pursue these top-paying jobs.