Exploring the Lucrative World of Cybersecurity Jobs Salary: The Top-Paying Roles in the Industry
With the exponential growth of the technology industry, digitalization and data transfer are ubiquitous in everyday life. This increasing dependency on technology is accompanied by a spike in cyber threats, resulting in security challenges. Consequently, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has grown — in 2020, cybercrime damage was estimated to be worth $6 trillion globally. The ever-increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals has made it one of the most lucrative career fields, with an average salary of $103,000 in the US, according to WebFX.
If you are interested in a career in cybersecurity, you may be wondering which jobs are the highest paying. Here are the top-paying cybersecurity roles:
1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
A CISO is one of the senior-most members of the security team and is responsible for developing and executing the organization’s security protocols. They are responsible for policies, strategies, and budgeting to improve the overall security of an organization. The average salary of a CISO is $173,000 in the US.
2. Security Architect
A security architect plays a crucial role in designing, building, and maintaining a system’s security. They create security plans, select appropriate security technologies, and implement controls to secure the system. The average salary of a security architect is $129,000 in the US.
3. Penetration Tester
Penetration testers, also called ethical hackers, test systems and networks to identify vulnerabilities and report them to the organization. They aim to improve the security of a system by exploiting vulnerabilities before malicious attackers do. The average salary of a penetration tester is $105,000 in the US.
4. Security Manager
A security manager ensures that an organization’s security policies and procedures are implemented and followed. They are responsible for supervising and managing the security team. The average salary of a security manager is $102,000 in the US.
5. Cybersecurity Consultant
Cybersecurity consultants provide expert advice to organizations on developing and implementing security strategies. They analyze the security risks and suggest the best solutions that align with the business goals. The average salary of a cybersecurity consultant is $96,000 in the US.
In conclusion, the cybersecurity industry is booming, and career opportunities with highly competitive compensation packages are abundant. The roles outlined here are some of the highest paid but not an exhaustive list in the field. Pursuing a career in cybersecurity is a wise decision that can lead to a lucrative career path.
