My neighbor Tom was a restaurant manager for 15 years. Last month, I ran into him wearing a huge smile. “I just accepted a cybersecurity analyst position,” he told me. “Six months ago, I didn’t even know what that meant. Now I’m starting at $85,000 with full remote work.”
Tom isn’t special. He’s not some tech genius who’s been coding since childhood. He’s just someone who saw an opportunity, got the right training, and jumped into one of the hottest job markets in the world.
Cybersecurity jobs are exploding right now. Not next year. Not someday. Right now, in 2025. Companies are desperately looking for people to protect their systems, and they’re willing to pay well for it. There are currently 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions worldwide. That’s not a typo. Three and a half million open jobs waiting for people to fill them.
If you’ve been thinking about a career change, or if you’re just starting out and trying to figure out which direction to go, cybersecurity might be your answer. Let me show you what these jobs actually look like, what they pay, and how real people are getting hired.
Why Cybersecurity Jobs Are Everywhere Right Now
Before we dive into specific jobs, you need to understand why this field is absolutely booming.
Cyberattacks are getting worse every single day. The average security breach cost reached $4.88 million in 2024. That’s 10% more than the previous year and the highest average ever. Companies are terrified. They’re losing money, customers are losing trust, and regulations are getting stricter.
Every single business needs cybersecurity now. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hospital, a bank, a retail store, or a tech startup. If you have customer data, financial information, or trade secrets stored digitally, you need someone protecting it. That someone could be you.
The numbers back this up. Currently, there are 457,398 cybersecurity job openings nationally in the United States. The field is growing at 29% from 2024 to 2034 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compare that to the 4% average growth for all jobs combined. Cybersecurity is growing seven times faster than everything else.
And here’s the best part. Despite recent tech layoffs at big companies like Amazon, Meta, and Google, cybersecurity remains a near zero unemployment marketplace for those with the right skills. While other tech workers worry about job security, cybersecurity professionals are getting multiple job offers.
The Most In Demand Cybersecurity Jobs in 2025
Let’s talk about real jobs with real titles that companies are hiring for right now. I’m going to break down what each role actually does, what it pays, and what you need to get hired.
Security Analyst
This is usually where people start their cybersecurity career, and it’s one of the most in demand roles out there.
What you actually do: Security analysts monitor company networks for suspicious activity. Think of yourself as a digital security guard watching cameras, except instead of cameras, you’re watching data flows and system logs. When something looks weird, you investigate. When you find a real threat, you respond quickly to stop it.
You’ll scan IT systems for vulnerabilities, investigate data breaches when they happen, and plan how to prevent future attacks. Security analysts ensure information systems’ safety, manage security policies, and conduct vulnerability assessments.
What it pays: Entry level positions start around $70,000 to $85,000. With experience, security analysts can earn $100,000 to $120,000. The median salary across all experience levels is about $112,000.
What you need: A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or information technology helps, but it’s not always required. The CompTIA Security+ certification is practically mandatory. Many analysts also get the Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification as they advance.
Why it’s great: This job teaches you everything about cybersecurity from the ground up. You’ll see every type of threat, use every major security tool, and build skills that transfer to any other cybersecurity role. It’s the perfect foundation.
Cybersecurity Engineer
If security analysts are the guards, cybersecurity engineers are the architects who design the entire security system.
What you actually do: Cybersecurity engineers build information security systems and IT architectures from scratch. You’re creating the fortress, not just defending it. You develop and enforce security plans, standards, protocols and best practices. When disaster strikes, you’ve already built emergency plans to get everything back up and running quickly.
A huge part of this job is proactive. You spend time finding system vulnerabilities through penetration testing and figuring out how to fix them before hackers find them. You review the organization’s legal, technical and regulatory areas that affect IT security and recommend changes.
What it pays: Starting engineers make $100,000 to $130,000. With experience, salaries reach $138,500 to $170,000. Senior cybersecurity engineers at major companies can earn over $200,000.
What you need: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity is usually required. Programming knowledge is essential, especially Python, Java, or C++. Certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Ethical Hacker, and Offensive Security Certified Professional will boost your prospects significantly.
Why it’s great: You’re building things, not just monitoring them. If you like creating systems and solving complex technical problems, this role offers endless challenges and excellent pay.
Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)
This is the job everyone finds cool. You literally get paid to hack into company systems. Legally, of course.
What you actually do: Companies hire you to break into their networks, applications, and systems to find vulnerabilities before real criminals do. You think like a hacker, act like a hacker, but work for the good guys. After you successfully breach security, you document exactly how you did it and recommend fixes.
Penetration testers identify potential cyber and IT vulnerabilities in an organization. They work with other IT professionals to identify and resolve vulnerabilities in order to reduce known cyber risks.
What it pays: Entry level penetration testers start at $90,000 to $110,000. Experienced ethical hackers earn $120,000 to $150,000. Senior penetration testers at consulting firms can command $180,000 or more.
What you need: The Certified Ethical Hacker certification is practically required. The Offensive Security Certified Professional is even better. You need deep knowledge of networks, operating systems, and programming. Many successful pen testers are self taught hackers who decided to use their powers for good.
Why it’s great: If you love puzzles, challenges, and the thrill of breaking into systems, this job never gets boring. Every company’s security is different, so every engagement is a new puzzle to solve.
Security Consultant
Consultants are like coaches. They don’t fix everything themselves but help companies understand their risks and improve their security.
What you actually do: You review a company’s current security setup, identify weaknesses, and suggest improvements. You might work for a consulting firm handling multiple clients or operate as a freelancer. Security consultants design and implement cybersecurity technologies, manage network operations, and respond to security incidents.
You’re mixing business and technical skills. You need to understand security deeply enough to spot problems, but also explain those problems to executives who aren’t technical. Your recommendations need to make business sense, not just technical sense.
What it pays: Consultants typically earn $100,000 to $140,000 per year. Experienced consultants working for major firms or independently can make significantly more. Senior consultants at top firms earn $180,000 or above.
What you need: Several years of experience in cybersecurity plus strong communication skills. A bachelor’s degree helps but isn’t always mandatory. Certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Security Manager, and Certified Information Systems Auditor add credibility.
Why it’s great: You see how different companies approach security. You’re not stuck in one environment. If you have IT, business, or law background, this is an excellent place to make a career switch into cybersecurity.
Incident Responder
When the alarm bells ring and a company gets hacked, incident responders are the first ones called.
What you actually do: You respond to active security breaches. Someone hacked the network? You’re investigating. Ransomware locked up critical systems? You’re containing it. Data got stolen? You’re figuring out what happened and how to prevent it next time.
Incident responders safeguard digital assets by identifying, analyzing, and responding to security incidents, working to minimize future breaches. You need to stay calm under extreme pressure and make quick decisions.
What it pays: Entry level responders earn $80,000 to $100,000. Experienced incident response specialists make $110,000 to $140,000. Senior responders and team leads can reach $160,000 or more.
What you need: Certifications like GIAC Certified Incident Handler or CompTIA CySA+ are helpful. You need to know about common attack types and response procedures. Experience in security operations centers or security analyst roles often leads here.
Why it’s great: If you enjoy solving mysteries and working under pressure, incident response provides constant adrenaline. You’re directly stopping attackers and protecting companies from serious harm.
Cloud Security Specialist
As more companies move everything to the cloud, they desperately need people who understand cloud security.
What you actually do: You protect cloud based systems and data. This means securing AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, or other cloud platforms. You configure cloud security settings, monitor for threats, ensure compliance with regulations, and respond when cloud systems get attacked.
Cloud security specialists or engineers are among the most sought after professionals right now. Companies are moving to the cloud faster than they can secure it properly.
What it pays: Cloud security roles pay very well. Entry positions start at $95,000 to $115,000. Experienced cloud security engineers earn $130,000 to $160,000. Senior cloud security architects command $170,000 to $220,000.
What you need: AWS Certified Security Specialty, Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate, or Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer certifications are highly valuable. You need to understand both cybersecurity principles and how cloud platforms work.
Why it’s great: Cloud is the future. Companies aren’t moving back to traditional on premises systems. Your skills will be valuable for decades. Plus, cloud roles often offer remote work since you’re managing systems that already exist in the cloud.
Malware Analyst
When companies get hit with viruses, ransomware, or other malicious software, malware analysts figure out exactly what happened and how to stop it.
What you actually do: You identify and examine malware related threats. When a company gets infected, you analyze the malware, reverse engineer the malicious code, understand how the attack was deployed and why it succeeded, and develop tools to detect and remove similar threats in the future.
Malware types and capabilities are constantly evolving. More organizations are falling victim to sophisticated threats. The demand for malware analysts is surging like never before.
What it pays: Entry level malware analysts earn $85,000 to $105,000. Experienced analysts make $115,000 to $145,000. Senior malware researchers at security firms can earn $160,000 or more.
What you need: Strong programming skills, especially in low level languages like C and Assembly. Understanding of operating systems at a deep level. Reverse engineering experience. Certifications in malware analysis help, though hands on skills matter more than certifications for this role.
Why it’s great: If you’re fascinated by how malware works and enjoy detective work, this role offers endless learning opportunities. Every new malware variant is a new puzzle to solve.
Security Architect
This is a senior level position where you design the overall security strategy for entire organizations.
What you actually do: You create comprehensive security architectures that protect all of a company’s systems, data, and users. Security architects work with leadership to align security with business goals. You’re making big picture decisions about security technology, policies, and risk management.
Security architects often need to play on both the Blue Team developing the system security architecture and posture, and the Red Team, which engages in hypothetical attacks on the system to expose its flaws.
What it pays: Security architects are well compensated. Salaries range from $140,000 to $200,000. At large enterprises, senior security architects can earn over $250,000.
What you need: Extensive experience in cybersecurity, usually 7 to 10 years minimum. Deep technical knowledge across multiple security domains. Strong communication skills to work with both technical teams and business executives. Certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional and Certified Information Security Manager are expected.
Why it’s great: You’re making strategic decisions that protect entire organizations. It’s less hands on keyboard work and more strategic thinking. If you want to shape security programs at a high level, this is the goal.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
This is the top cybersecurity job in any organization. The CISO is responsible for the entire security program.
What you actually do: You lead the cybersecurity strategy for the entire organization, aligning it with business objectives. You report directly to the CEO or board of directors. You manage security teams, set budgets, ensure regulatory compliance, and take responsibility when things go wrong.
CISOs quantify cyber risks in economic terms so executive management understands the potential costs of security breaches and the return on investment for security initiatives.
What it pays: CISOs at mid size companies earn $200,000 to $300,000. At large enterprises, CISO compensation often exceeds $400,000 when including bonuses and stock options.
What you need: Extensive cybersecurity experience, usually 15+ years. Proven leadership managing security teams. Business acumen to connect security to company strategy. Often an MBA in addition to technical expertise. The position demands a combination of technical expertise, business sense, and leadership abilities.
Why it’s great: This is the top of the mountain. You’re protecting entire organizations and shaping how businesses think about security. It’s stressful, demanding, and incredibly rewarding both financially and professionally.
How Much Do Cybersecurity Jobs Actually Pay?
Let’s break down realistic salary expectations based on your experience level.
Entry level (0 to 2 years): $70,000 to $95,000 depending on the role and location. Security analysts, junior engineers, and entry level specialists fall into this range. That’s already higher than most career starting salaries.
Mid level (3 to 7 years): $100,000 to $140,000 for most roles. Experienced analysts, security engineers, penetration testers, and incident responders land here. With the right certifications and skills, you can reach the higher end quickly.
Senior level (8+ years): $140,000 to $200,000 for senior engineers, architects, and team leads. At this point, your specific skills and the company you work for make a huge difference in compensation.
Executive level: $200,000 to $400,000+ for roles like CISO and VP of Security. These positions exist at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and leadership.
Industry matters too. Finance and banking typically pay the highest at $120,000 to $170,000 across levels. Technology companies offer $110,000 to $160,000. Healthcare has seen massive salary growth recently with $100,000 to $145,000. Government positions pay less but offer excellent benefits and job security at $80,000 to $130,000.
Location impacts salary. California, New York, and Washington DC offer the highest salaries but also have higher living costs. Many cybersecurity jobs are now remote, which means you can earn high salaries while living in affordable areas.
How to Actually Get a Cybersecurity Job
Here’s the honest truth. Getting your first cybersecurity job is the hardest part. After that, recruiters will be calling you. But breaking in requires strategy.
Start with the right foundation
You don’t necessarily need a four year degree, but it helps. Bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity, computer science, or information technology provide a solid foundation. However, 21% of cybersecurity professionals don’t have traditional degrees.
Alternative paths like bootcamps train students to entry level standards in six to eight months. Many bootcamp graduates land jobs immediately after completing their programs. Self taught professionals also succeed by building strong portfolios of personal projects and earning certifications.
Get certified
In cybersecurity, certifications often matter more than degrees. They prove you have current, practical knowledge.
For beginners, start with CompTIA Security+. This is the most recognized entry level certification. It validates basic security knowledge and is required or strongly preferred for most entry level positions.
Next, pursue role specific certifications. For penetration testing, get Certified Ethical Hacker or Offensive Security Certified Professional. For incident response, get GIAC Certified Incident Handler. And for general advancement, Certified Information Systems Security Professional is the gold standard.
For cloud roles, AWS Certified Security Specialty, Microsoft Azure Security Engineer, or Google Cloud Security certifications open doors to high paying positions.
Build hands on skills
Theoretical knowledge isn’t enough. You need to prove you can actually do the work.
Set up a home lab. Install virtual machines running different operating systems. Practice using security tools like Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit, and others. Document what you learn.
Participate in Capture the Flag competitions. These cybersecurity challenges let you practice hacking and defense in legal, controlled environments. They’re fun, educational, and impressive on resumes.
Contribute to open source security projects on GitHub. This shows real world experience collaborating on security tools.
Practice on platforms like TryHackMe, HackTheBox, and Cybrary. These provide hands on cybersecurity training with real scenarios.
Start with entry level IT roles
Many successful cybersecurity professionals didn’t start in security directly. They began as help desk technicians, system administrators, or network engineers and transitioned into security as they gained knowledge.
Entry level IT roles teach you how networks, systems, and applications work. You can’t protect what you don’t understand. These positions also get your foot in the door at companies that might hire you into security roles later.
Network strategically
Cybersecurity is a tight knit community. Networking matters enormously.
Attend local cybersecurity meetups and conferences. Join online communities like Reddit’s r/cybersecurity, Discord servers focused on security, and LinkedIn groups. Follow security professionals on Twitter and engage with their content.
Many jobs never get posted publicly. They’re filled through referrals and networking. Building relationships with people already in the field gives you access to opportunities others never see.
Apply before you feel ready
Here’s a secret. You’ll never feel 100% ready for a cybersecurity job. The field is too vast, too complex, too constantly evolving. Apply when you’re 70% ready.
Companies expect entry level candidates to need training. They’re hiring for potential, not just current knowledge. Your certifications, projects, and enthusiasm matter more than knowing everything perfectly.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make
After talking to dozens of hiring managers, I’ve learned what kills job applications.
Mistake number one: Waiting until you know everything. You never will. Apply with what you have.
Mistake number two: Only applying online. Job sites are brutal. Networking, referrals, and direct contact with hiring managers work better.
Mistake number three: Generic resumes and cover letters. Customize every application. Show you researched the company and understand their specific security challenges.
Mistake number four: Ignoring soft skills. Technical ability matters, but so does communication, teamwork, and problem solving. Emphasize both.
Mistake number five: Giving up too quickly. Entry level cybersecurity jobs are competitive. Apply to many positions. Keep learning while you job hunt. Persistence pays off.
What Companies Look for When Hiring
Hiring managers told me they care about specific things.
Genuine interest matters. They want people who are genuinely fascinated by cybersecurity, not just chasing salaries. Follow security news. Set up labs at home. Show you care about the field.
Problem solving ability is crucial. Cybersecurity is all about solving problems under pressure. In interviews, walk through your thought process. Show how you approach challenges logically.
Communication skills separate candidates. You need to explain technical issues to non technical people. You’ll write incident reports, create security policies, and present to executives. Strong communication is non negotiable.
Certifications prove commitment. Getting certified shows you’re serious about the field. It also demonstrates you can learn complex material and pass rigorous exams.
Hands on experience beats theory. Build things. Break things. Fix things. Document your projects. Show real work, not just textbook knowledge.
The Future Looks Even Better
Cybersecurity jobs aren’t going anywhere. If anything, demand will increase.
The global shortage remains at 3.5 million unfilled positions. Companies cannot find enough qualified people. This shortage will persist through at least 2025 and likely beyond.
Emerging technologies create new security needs. AI, IoT devices, blockchain, quantum computing, every technological advancement creates new vulnerabilities that need protecting.
Regulations are getting stricter worldwide. Companies face massive fines for data breaches. This regulatory pressure drives even more hiring in cybersecurity.
Cyberattacks are getting worse. Ransomware, supply chain attacks, nation state hackers, the threats aren’t decreasing. Organizations need more defenders, not fewer.
Your Next Steps
If you’re seriously considering cybersecurity jobs, here’s what to do right now.
This week: Research entry level positions. Read job descriptions. Note common requirements. Identify which role interests you most.
This month: Start studying for CompTIA Security+. Set up a simple home lab. Join a few cybersecurity communities online.
Next three months: Get your first certification. Build a small portfolio of projects. Start applying to entry level positions or IT roles that can lead to security.
Six months from now: You could have your first cybersecurity job offer, just like my neighbor Tom.
The opportunities are real. The jobs exist. The salaries are excellent. The only question is whether you’re ready to put in the work to get there.
Cybersecurity is one of the few fields where demand genuinely exceeds supply. Where companies compete for you, not the other way around. Where your career trajectory is limited only by how much you’re willing to learn and grow.
The door is wide open. Will you walk through it?
