Cybersecurity Jobs to Consider in 2024

You may think that cybercrimes like hacking or identity theft rarely happen, but the reality is that as technology evolves, methods to abuse it evolve as well. Thanks to the efforts of cybersecurity professionals, sensitive digital information can remain safe for users across the world. With the growing rate of cybercrime, individuals and businesses alike rely on cybersecurity specialists to stay protected against online threats.

But is Cybersecurity a Good Career Choice?

Cybersecurity—or “information security”—is a lucrative, in-demand IT field full of rewarding and dynamic careers. Many cybersecurity jobs require either a higher education degree or industry certification and call for experience in system administration and software development. Whether you’re already working in IT or entering the field for the first time, you may feel ready to take on the challenge of cybersecurity.

This blog discusses some of the best, highest-paying cybersecurity jobs of 2024. Read on to learn about each one and discover how to get started on the path to an entry- or upper-level cybersecurity role.

Best Jobs in Cybersecurity

Over the last several decades, countless individuals and organizations have turned to the internet for communication, online banking, education, and much more. Jobs in cybersecurity have likewise grown to help keep internet users free from the dangers of opportunistic scam artists, phishers, and identity thieves.

The following list of jobs includes statistical criteria like the current market demand and average salary figures. 

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts—also called “information security analysts”—watch for and prevent digital threats to organizations. Their work involves managing and configuring tools to monitor network activity, analyzing reports on suspicious behavior, identifying network vulnerabilities, and applying security patches to increase protection. Many organizations depend on cybersecurity analysts to help keep their virtual data safe.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary in May 2022 for cybersecurity analysts was $112,000. The earning potential of cybersecurity analysts typically varies based on their experience level and the size and location of their organization. The BLS projects the employment of cybersecurity analysts to grow by 32% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Penetration Tester

For as long as people have used the internet, hackers have relentlessly targeted computer networks and systems to steal confidential information. To curb these malicious attacks, penetration testers work to find network vulnerabilities before hackers do. Penetration testers help organizations implement dedicated software programs and security practices to keep hackers away from private data.

According to the employment website Indeed.com, the average annual salary for penetration testers is around $117,000. There is great demand for penetration testers because they think like hackers to anticipate hacker behavior. As more organizations recognize the need for increased cybersecurity for software and web applications, more penetration testers will be hired to point out weaknesses and recommend solutions to IT teams.

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity engineers create and evaluate security systems to ward off cyber threats. These engineers use their programming skills and knowledge of operating systems to develop security tools like firewalls and intrusion detection protocols. Cybersecurity engineers may work with IT analysts and administrators to ensure that emergency plans are in place in the case of a data breach. Other responsibilities of cybersecurity engineers include establishing digital security policies, maintaining networks, and supervising changes in hardware or software.

Career site Zippia.com states that cybersecurity engineers make an average annual salary of just under $100,000. Since online data privacy is essential to the well-being of countless businesses and other organizations, cybersecurity engineers should continue to be valuable assets in the IT industry. According to Zippia.com, employment of cybersecurity engineers is projected to grow by 32% from 2018 to 2028.

Cybersecurity Architect

Cybersecurity architects are typically higher-level specialists responsible for designing the systems that cybersecurity engineers build. Many cybersecurity architects conceptualize and then supervise the network security infrastructure of entire organizations. They implement and optimize anti-hacking measures when setting up local area, wide area, and virtual private networks. Cybersecurity architects may also perform vulnerability testing and risk assessments to gauge the effectiveness of security systems.

Cybersecurity architects earn an average annual salary of $128,636, according to Zippia.com. The job growth of cybersecurity architects is similar to that of cybersecurity analysts and engineers. Taking on the role of a cybersecurity architect could be a great choice for individuals with several years of experience in cybersecurity technology.

Chief Information Security Officer

A chief information security officer—or CISO—is a senior-level executive whose job is to oversee the entirety of an organization’s information and technology security. CISOs develop and administer security policies and report to other executive leaders about data security efforts. In some organizations, a CISO may collaborate with federal agencies or partnered executives to present information security strategies. What a CISO does on a daily basis largely depends on the size of their organization.

The average annual salary for chief information security officers is $135,040. CISOs who hold a master’s degree may earn up to $200,000 or more, depending on their experience level and time in the role. Opportunities for CISO jobs are likely to continue growing as demand for skilled cybersecurity leaders remains high.

Starting a Career in Cybersecurity

Ready to begin your cybersecurity career? WGU offers online, accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cybersecurity designed to equip you with the skills you’ll need to thrive. We also offer top industry certifications in ITIL®, CompTIA, and more that grant specialized knowledge and can set you apart from the job market competition. The cost of many of these certifications is included in your tuition. In addition, WGU’s competency-based education model means that you advance through coursework as quickly as you show mastery of the material, so you can potentially graduate faster and save money.

Learn how a degree in cybersecurity can lead to some of the most lucrative and exciting careers in IT and get started today.