How to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst
Plan and implement security measures to protect computer networks and systems. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $129,180 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$129,180/yr
Typical range
$75,090 to $199,850
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
16,000
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Network Security
- Incident Response
- Vulnerability Assessment
- Cryptography
- Risk Analysis
Helpful certifications
- CompTIA Security+
- CISSP
- CEH
- CompTIA CySA+
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
82/100
Work-life balance
65/100
Stress level
52/100
Satisfaction
75/100
Related careers
- Product Manager$166,790 median
- DevOps Engineer$135,980 median
- Software Developer$135,980 median
- Data Scientist$120,230 median
- IT Project Manager$116,580 median
- Site Reliability Engineer$116,580 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cybersecurity Analyst make?
The median pay for a Cybersecurity Analyst is $129,180 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The typical range runs from $75,090 to $199,850, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Cybersecurity Analyst?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, and Information Systems.
Is Cybersecurity Analyst a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 16,000 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Cybersecurity Analyst use most?
Common skills for this role are Network Security, Incident Response, Vulnerability Assessment, Cryptography, and Risk Analysis.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.