Cyber Security Analyst Salary in USA - 2025 Guide

What Does a Cybersecurity Analyst Do?

Cybersecurity analysts protect an organization’s computer systems, software, networks, and data from unauthorized access, theft, malicious damage, fraud, and other hazards. While small companies or organizations expect an analyst to carry out a host of cybersecurity tasks, larger organizations often provide opportunities for a cybersecurity analyst to specialize in one given aspect. 

While the cybersecurity analyst’s daily tasks vary from company to company, the following list of tasks and responsibilities highlights some of the more common expectations:

• Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities
• Proactively mitigate risks
• Develop and promote best practices and cybersecurity frameworks
• Generate detailed incident response reports
• Investigate incidents and respond to security events in real time
• Install and operate firewalls, password protection, encryption protocols, and other security software
• Monitor network traffic for any security events and incidents
• Perform periodic risk assessments and penetration tests

Cybersecurity analysts should be familiar with the current cyber threat landscape and their organization's IT infrastructure. Depending on the specific job role, familiarity with Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems and experience with VPNs, firewalls, proxies, and security and information event management systems (SIEMs) may be required. 

You can learn many of these skills in a high-quality cybersecurity program.

What’s the Average Salary for Cybersecurity Analysts in the USA?

What does the typical IT cybersecurity analyst salary in the USA look like, anyway? Glassdoor shows that the average annual salary is $126,000. This includes base pay and additional compensation, such as profit-sharing dividends, bonuses, or commissions.

Factors That Affect a Cybersecurity Analyst Salary in the US

Keep in mind that the above figures represent the average salary and don't consider other variables. But what can affect a cybersecurity analyst salary in the USA? Salaries depend on several variables, including experience level, geographical location, the industry, the organization, and related education and certifications.

With this in mind, let's examine how different variables affect a cybersecurity salary in the United States. 

Cybersecurity Analyst Salary by Experience Level

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for cybersecurity analysts working in the US, based on years of experience, is as follows:

Cybersecurity Analyst Salary by Geographical Location

According to ZipRecruiter, here are the latest top cybersecurity analyst salaries by city in the USA. These figures are collected from scanned public data, job postings, and data points gathered from companies, individuals, and previous job posting ads.

Companies That Pay a High Cybersecurity Analyst Salary

According to Glassdoor, these are the current highest-paying companies for cybersecurity analysts in the United States. 

Top-Paying Industries for Cybersecurity Analysts

Glassdoor reports that these are the top-paying industries for cybersecurity analysts in the USA in 2025.

Essential Cybersecurity Analyst Skills and Certifications

Cybersecurity analysts need a comprehensive set of skills and industry credentials to adequately protect their organization's IT resources. They must be ready for anything, so thorough training provides them with everything they need to confront whatever challenges cyber criminals and other malicious agents can pose.

Here is a list of the most critical hard and soft skills that every information security analyst should have some degree of proficiency in:

• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Cloud security
• Communication
• Network security
• Operating systems
• Problem-solving
• Scripting/coding
• Proficiency with cybersecurity tools
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Vulnerability assessment

Certifications demonstrate to employers that a cybersecurity analyst possesses the necessary skills and training for the job, backed by the required documentation. Here are some of the most popular cybersecurity credentials that can help you earn a higher cybersecurity analyst salary in the US:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• CompTIA CySA+
• CompTIA Security+
• GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Cybersecurity Analyst Employment Outlook in the US

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the job outlook for information security analysts (including cybersecurity analysts) looks solid. Employment is expected to increase by 33% between 2023 and 2033, which is a considerably faster growth rate than for all other occupations.

Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that about 17,300 cybersecurity analyst openings will open annually over that same ten-year period.

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Do You Want a Cybersecurity Career?

IT asset protection and data privacy are critical today, and the digital world needs qualified, talented professionals to take the lead in securing these valuable elements. The cybersecurity field offers exciting challenges, job security, and generous financial remuneration. If this sounds appealing, start your cybersecurity analyst journey with this 20-week Professional Certificate Program in Cybersecurity.

This cybersecurity program is perfect for IT professionals, giving them the skills needed to transform and enhance their organizations' cybersecurity strategies. Students gain hands-on experience in many practical techniques, tools, and technologies, such as malware analysis, ethical hacking, API security, network security, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and more.

IT asset protection and data privacy are critical today, and the digital world needs qualified, talented information security analysts to take the lead in securing these valuable elements. Are you ready to meet the challenge?

FAQs

1. Is a cybersecurity analyst considered a high-paying job in the US?

Median cybersecurity analyst salaries range from $98K to $156K, which are considered to be high-paying in the US. These average salary figures will fluctuate based on experience level, geography, local demand, skill sets, and industry.

2. How do cybersecurity analyst salaries in the USA compare to other tech roles?

Cybersecurity analyst salaries in the US are typically higher than those of many other tech positions, especially when compared to general IT or software development roles. These higher salaries reflect the critical nature of cybersecurity analysts. The average annual cybersecurity analyst salary is $126,000.

3. Which certifications lead to the highest salaries for cybersecurity analysts in the USA?

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a gold standard. These highly sought-after professionals enjoy considerable earning power. Other credentials that pay off include Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

4. What skills are necessary for a successful career in cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity analysts should demonstrate familiarity and proficiency, to one degree or another, with skills including (but not limited to): analytical thinking, attention to detail, cloud security, network security, operating system security, problem solving, scripting/coding, communication, and collaboration.

5. What are the typical career paths for a cybersecurity analyst in the USA?

Cybersecurity analysts enjoy numerous job growth prospects and potential career opportunities. Entry-level cybersecurity analysts can become IT Auditors or Security Administrators. Mid-level cybersecurity analysts can become Security Engineers, Security Architects, or Incident Responders. Highly experienced analysts can look forward to positions as Director/Manager of cybersecurity, Threat Intelligence Analyst, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), or Digital Forensics Analyst.