Recently, we wrote about how to start your career in cybersecurity, and today, we’re going to look at what kind of salary you can earn upon entering the industry.

During this discussion, we’ll outline what jobs you can apply for after completing your degree, how much money different positions typically make, and why you should get your degree online instead of in person.

When you’ve finished reading about the many reasons to get your cybersecurity degree, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about CSU Global’s 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, or if you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

How Much Do Cybersecurity Jobs Pay?

Positions in the cybersecurity industry tend to come with excellent salaries, as these positions are in high demand from organizations across a wide range of different industries.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for information security analysts, a common job in the cybersecurity field, was $102,600 in 2021. 

Organizations are willing to pay high sums to hire qualified cybersecurity professionals to protect their sensitive data. But other roles also report excellent incomes, including positions such as ethical hackers, cloud security specialists, and chief information security officers, which are great roles for cybersecurity specialists.

This is just a small list of relevant jobs reporting high annual salaries, with many other positions, some of which require more industry experience, or advanced degrees and certifications, reporting even higher salaries. 

If earning a high salary is important to you, then beginning a career in cybersecurity could be a great way to accomplish that objective.

What Are the Highest Paying Cybersecurity Jobs?

The cybersecurity industry presents multiple opportunities to make respectable salaries, with some of the highest paying jobs in the industry being:

Information Systems Security Manager

An Information Systems Security Manager serves as the security systems architect for an organization. Their responsibilities include overseeing security breaches and managing data recovery investigations.

Their annual salary usually falls in the $125,000-$155,000 range, with smaller companies paying around $80,000. To be qualified for the position, cybersecurity professionals should have a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, and consider earning security certifications such as the CISSP, CISA, and CISM. 

Information Security Engineer

Information security engineers have a multifaceted role, but their primary responsibilities are to plan, implement, and improve security measures for clients' computer systems and networks. They also safeguard the transmission of network data by strengthening firewalls and applying pre-determined security controls.

Annual pay for information security engineers also tends to be quite high. Nationally, those in the profession earn around $107,741 per year. Additionally, the demand for information security engineers is growing, making this a great career choice for new graduates. 

Information Security Analyst

An information security analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems, networks, and data from cyber threats and unauthorized access.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the position of information security analyst will grow 35% between 2020 and 2030. This position is reported to receive an average annual salary of $102,600, making it a great prospective job opportunity for those who recently completed a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.

Ethical Hacker

Ethical hackers are some of the most crucial and well-paid cyber security professionals.

These professionals work to find weaknesses in a cyber security network by mimicking real-life threats as a form of practical examination. By using these experts, organizations can take proactive measures to strengthen their systems before actual attacks occur.

ZipRecruiter reports a national average salary of $135,269, however in order to be considered for the position, most organizations will require at least a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or other related field.

Chief Information Security Officer

Chief information security officers are essential for overseeing an organization's cybersecurity efforts. 

These professionals use their technical and business skills to lead security teams, manage incidents, fortify systems, and ensure data and compliance security. Success in this role requires versatility, organization, and the ability to quickly adapt to threats.

According to ZipRecruiter, this position is compensated extremely well, with the national average salary being $150,123

This is also a well-respected position in any organizationthat’s expected to see strong growth in the coming years as more businesses look to protect themselves from cyber threats. 

Do I Need a Degree in Cybersecurity to Get Into the Field?

In short, probably. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics it is likely that a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, IT or a related field is needed to become a cybersecurity professional. Additionally, some cybersecurity management roles may also require a master's degree. 

It is certainly possible to secure an entry-level job in the cybersecurity industry without a degree in the field, but the work is likely to be more administrative and lower paying. Advancing in this competitive field is also likely to be difficult without an actual degree in cybersecurity.

Completing a degree is essential if your aim is to begin a career in cybersecurity and advance to higher-level positions, such as management or leadership roles.

Obtaining a degree will help you acquire the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide value to any organization from day one. Earning a degree is also a great way to increase your chances of getting hired for a wide variety of different cybersecurity jobs.

In short, when organizations are seeking candidates for cybersecurity positions, they are more likely to prefer applicants who have a relevant degree in cybersecurity on their resumes.

Is a Degree in Cybersecurity Really Worth Getting?

If you’re looking to launch a lifelong career in a challenging, but rewarding and potentially lucrative space, then enrolling in a cybersecurity program could be a great decision. 

A degree in this field is the best way to prepare for a successful career in protecting sensitive data, computer networks, and technical systems from cyber attacks. 

Having academic credentials may be necessary to land a good job in this critical and complex industry, as entry-level positions may not be as readily available without a degree. 

A degree will not only demonstrate value to employers, but also ensures readiness to handle the daily challenges cybersecurity professionals are expected to deal with.

Overall, earning a degree in cybersecurity is a smart move for anyone looking to enter the field and begin a successful career. 

Getting your degree will provide you with the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities you need to be a valuable asset to any organization, and it will increase your chances of getting one of the better jobs once you begin your job search. 

With the field growing and the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals increasing, earning a degree in cybersecurity is a great investment in your future.

Can I Get My Degree in Cybersecurity Online?

Yes, you can get an accredited bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity online.

Studying online offers a level of freedom and flexibility that you just won't get with a traditional, in-person degree program, since it allows you to study wherever, and whenever you want.

Studying online with CSU Global ensures that you’ll be able to pursue your degree in the most efficient way, as we also offer:

  • Monthly class starts
  • Accelerated eight-week courses
  • No set class times or physical locations. 

You’re sure to find our online bachelor's and master's degree programs to be a much better option than studying on campus, and this is especially true for anyone who already has a busy schedule.

Where Should I Study Cybersecurity?

CSU Global’s online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity provides far more than just a diploma; instead, we prepare graduates for a successful, lifelong career in this challenging, yet rewarding field.

This program is widely recognized as one of the best programs in the industry, as it currently holds several excellent rankings, including:

  • A #3 ranking on Top 10 Online Cyber Security Undergraduate Certificate Programs for 2021 from Security Degree Hub.
  • A #10 ranking on Best Online Cyber Security Degree Programs of 2022 from Intelligent.

CSU Global itself also recently earned several impressive rankings of its own, including:

  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
  • A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Our cybersecurity faculty have recent industry experience and the program’s coursework is aligned with professional certification exams that employers want from cybersecurity professionals, including:

  • (ISC)2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
  • (ISC)2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
  • EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (EC-Council ECES)
  • EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (EC-Council ECIH)
  • CompTIA A+, Network +, Security+, and Project+

Completing this program will provide you with competence in the areas associated with the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam, preparing you to deliver real results from your first day in the industry.

Finally, to help save you time and money on the costs of your degree, we offer competitive tuition rates, a Tuition Guarantee that ensures your low tuition rate won’t increase from enrollment through graduation, and the opportunity to earn credits via our Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program.

For additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, please give us a call at 800-462-7845 or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!