Cybersecurity Salary Insights: What to Expect and How to Grow Your Career with NMSU Global Campus

In a world increasingly reliant on digital systems, cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of modern business and government infrastructure. With more organizations facing cybersecurity threats than ever before, the demand for skilled professionals continues to soar. If you’re considering a career in cybersecurity, you’re likely wondering: What can I expect to earn, and how can I grow in the field?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at cybersecurity salary ranges, career progression, and salary breakdowns by experience level and industry. Additionally, we’ll explore how earning a Master of Information Technology degree at NMSU Global Campus can help pave the way for a rewarding and financially lucrative career in this ever-growing field.

How Much Can I Make with a Cybersecurity Career?

The earning potential in the cybersecurity field is highly attractive, and it varies depending on factors like job role, experience, education, and geographic location. To navigate the salary landscape, it’s important to understand what can impact your earning potential, and to rely on trusted sources that provide up-to-date and detailed information.

Key Salary Factors in Cybersecurity

Before exploring these reliable resources, it’s essential to understand the key factors that influence how much you can make in the cybersecurity field:

Experience:

As with most professions, experience plays a significant role in determining salary. Entry-level cybersecurity roles tend to start at lower salaries, but with a few years of experience, pay can increase substantially.

Certifications:

Certifications are increasingly in demand for cybersecurity professionals. Here are a few that are highly recommended as you enter the job market:

• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
• CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
• CompTIA Security+ can help boost earning potential by demonstrating expertise and specialization.

Location:

Salaries in cybersecurity can vary greatly depending on the region. Urban areas or tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Washington D.C., or New York City often offer higher salaries to compensate for the higher cost of living.

Role Specialization:

Cybersecurity is a broad field, and salaries can vary widely based on the role. For example, penetration testers and security architects often earn higher salaries than general IT security analysts due to the specialized nature of their work.

Salary Resources for Cybersecurity 

Understanding the salary ranges across different cybersecurity roles will allow you to set realistic expectations for your career and make informed decisions. Here’s a guide on where to find reliable cybersecurity salary data:

1. CyberSeek: Interactive Salary Insights

One of the most comprehensive tools available for understanding cybersecurity salaries is CyberSeek. This platform is dedicated to providing data specifically for the cybersecurity workforce in the United States. CyberSeek offers an interactive Cybersecurity Career Pathway tool that breaks down salary information across regions, industries, and experience levels. This can give you a clear picture of what to expect based on your location and the specific cybersecurity role you’re targeting.

• What it offers: Salary data for various cybersecurity roles, including security analysts, network engineers, and penetration testers.
• Why it’s useful: Interactive features allow you to see salary ranges in different geographic locations and industries, helping you make strategic decisions based on where you want to work.

2. PayScale: Custom Salary Insights

Another excellent platform for finding detailed salary information is PayScale for Cybersecurity. PayScale provides robust data for cybersecurity roles, offering a tool where you can filter salary ranges by specific factors, such as job title, experience level, location, and educational background. This can help you gauge what you can earn at different stages of your career.

• What it offers: Salaries by job title (e.g., cybersecurity analyst, ethical hacker, security engineer) and filters for experience and education.
• Why it’s useful: You can refine your salary search to focus on the exact role you’re considering, whether it’s an entry-level position or a senior leadership role in cybersecurity.

3. Glassdoor: Real-World Salary Data

Glassdoor is another platform where you can find valuable salary information. Glassdoor’s database contains salary data contributed by real employees, providing transparency into what professionals are earning at specific companies. You can also find company reviews, which can help you gauge not only the salary but also the work culture and benefits offered in cybersecurity roles.

• What it offers: Salary reports from employees, including company-specific compensation data.
• Why it’s useful: You can view detailed salary reports for various cybersecurity roles within specific companies, which helps when deciding whether a job offer is competitive.

4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Government-Backed Data

For official and authoritative data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a trusted resource. The BLS publishes data on salaries and job outlooks for a variety of professions, including cybersecurity roles like information security analysts. As a government-backed source, it provides credible and consistent salary trends and future job growth projections.

• What it offers: Detailed salary data for cybersecurity roles such as information security analysts, network administrators, and IT security specialists.
• Why it’s useful: Being a government resource, BLS data is recognized for its reliability and consistency. It also provides insight into the projected growth of cybersecurity jobs, which can help you assess the long-term prospects of entering the field.

Cybersecurity Career Growth and Salary Progression

Cybersecurity offers incredible opportunities for career growth. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve held a position in a related field, there’s a ton of opportunity for growth and upper-level career tracks. The demand for skilled workers means that professionals in this field can progress quickly, and with the right training and experience, you could see significant increases in both your responsibilities and salary.

Entry-Level to Mid-Level: Building Expertise and Earning Potential

When you begin your career in cybersecurity, you’ll likely start with an entry-level position, where you’ll build foundational skills in network security, threat analysis, and incident response. Over time, as you gain experience and certifications, you’ll transition into mid-level roles, which require more specialized knowledge and leadership skills.

Career Progression Path:

• Entry-Level Roles: Security Analyst, Incident Responder, IT Security Specialist
• Mid-Level Roles: Cybersecurity Engineer, Penetration Tester, Security Consultant
• Senior Roles: Security Architect, Cybersecurity Manager, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

The beauty of the cybersecurity field is its broad applicability, so as you gain experience, you can specialize in areas like cloud security, penetration testing, or risk management. A master’s degree for a cybersecurity career could be a key asset to speed up this progression and open doors to leadership roles.

What Degree Is Needed for a Cybersecurity Career?

To launch a successful career in cybersecurity, a bachelor’s degree in a related field like computer science or information technology is often the starting point. For more advanced roles, a master’s degree can provide deeper expertise and enhance career opportunities.

At NMSU Global Campus, you can explore a few different options as you pursue cybersecurity roles. For those seeking an undergraduate degree, NMSU Global Campus offers a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). For those wishing to pursue a master’s degree, NMSU Global Campus offers a Master of Information Technology.

• Our Bachelor’s in Information & Communication Technology (ICT) provides foundational skills in networking, programming, and cybersecurity principles. This degree prepares students for various IT roles, including network administrators and security analysts, by focusing on the technical aspects of information systems. Through hands-on learning and coursework in security protocols and network management, students gain the expertise needed to secure and manage digital infrastructures. The program’s flexibility allows learners to tailor their studies to specific cybersecurity interests, opening pathways to career advancement in the field.
• Our Master of Information Technology provides advanced knowledge in areas like network security, data management, and IT infrastructure, which are critical for cybersecurity roles. This degree equips students with the skills needed to design, manage, and protect complex information systems. With a focus on both technical expertise and strategic IT management, graduates are prepared for leadership positions in cybersecurity. The program’s flexibility allows students to specialize in cybersecurity topics, making it ideal for those looking to advance or pivot into higher-level security roles.

Salary for Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs

When you’re just starting your cybersecurity career, it’s important to know what to expect in terms of cybersecurity salary. Entry-level roles in cybersecurity typically require a bachelor’s degree, though some positions may accept equivalent experience or certifications.

Common Entry-Level Positions:

• IT Security Analyst: Entry-level analysts monitor an organization’s network for threats and respond to incidents.
• Incident Responder: Specializing in identifying, investigating, and responding to security breaches and threats.
• Security Engineer: While this role may require some experience, many organizations hire new graduates for this position, where you’ll work on building and maintaining security systems.

Average Salary for Entry-Level Positions in New Mexico:

• IT Security Analyst: $97,432 – $125,154
• Incident Responder: $75,513 – $97,775
• Security Engineer: $98,800 – $137,600

Entry-level positions provide a solid foundation for building the technical and practical skills needed to move into higher-paying roles. Certification programs such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) can boost entry-level salaries and demonstrate specialized expertise.

Mid-Level Cybersecurity Salary Range

As you gain experience and earn certifications, you’ll likely transition into mid-level roles. These positions demand more advanced technical knowledge, as well as the ability to manage security operations or lead teams.

Mid-Level Cybersecurity Roles:

• Penetration Tester: Ethical hackers who test systems for vulnerabilities.
• Cybersecurity Consultant: Experts who help organizations develop comprehensive cybersecurity strategies.
• Network Security Engineer: Engineers responsible for securing networks and implementing firewalls, VPNs, and other security systems.

Average Salary for Mid-Level Roles in New Mexico:

• Penetration Tester: $93,000 – $136,600
• Cybersecurity Consultant: $99,500 – $159,000
• Network Security Engineer: $94,474 – $134,505

At this stage, your salary potential increases significantly, particularly if you specialize in high-demand areas like penetration testing, threat hunting, or cloud security.

High-Level Cybersecurity Salary Range

At the senior level, the roles become much more strategic, with professionals overseeing cybersecurity operations, developing security policies, and leading security teams. This is where the highest salaries in cybersecurity are often found.

High-Level Cybersecurity Roles:

• Security Architect: These professionals design security systems and infrastructure to protect the organization’s data.
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): CISOs oversee all aspects of an organization’s cybersecurity operations and report directly to senior executives.
• Cybersecurity Director: Directors manage teams and lead the implementation of security strategies across the company.

Average Salary for High-Level Roles in New Mexico:

• Security Architect: $98,632 – $148,714
• CISO: $273,493 – $375,798
• Cybersecurity Director: $204,770 – $256,530

In addition to deep technical expertise, senior roles often require leadership abilities and a strategic mindset. As a CISO, for example, you will need to align cybersecurity efforts with business goals, a skillset that is developed through years of experience and advanced education.

At NMSU Global Campus, students can pursue a master’s degree in information technology to gain the knowledge and leadership training necessary for these high-level positions. The program offers specialized coursework in areas like security management and strategic planning, preparing graduates to step into leadership roles with confidence.

Cybersecurity Salary Breakdown by Industry

Cybersecurity professionals are in demand across a wide range of industries, and salaries can vary significantly depending on the sector. Here’s a look at how cybersecurity salaries breakdown by industry:

Finance and Insurance: Given the sensitive nature of financial data, cybersecurity professionals in finance are often highly compensated.

• Average Salary: $126,230 (BLS)

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: Cybersecurity professionals can be tasked with safeguarding sensitive patient data and mitigating breaches to medical portals.

• Average Salary: $118,869 per year (Coursera)

Manufacturing: Cybersecurity professionals focus on protecting critical infrastructure by creating systems that mitigate cyberattacks. This can include monitoring networks, managing access controls, conducting vulnerability assessments, and developing incident response plans.

• Average Salary: $120,516 (Coursera)

Cybersecurity professionals’ salaries are not strictly determined by the industry in which they work but are more closely linked to their skill sets and expertise. As the demand for specialized skills continues to grow, certifications – as mentioned above – have become a key factor in driving higher salaries for cybersecurity professionals. High-valued certifications include:

• AWS Certified Security
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

According to a 2023 report by ISC, ¹ professionals holding certifications like CISSP can earn an average salary of over $119,557, significantly higher than those without specialized credentials. Similarly, those with AWS Certified Security and CCSP certifications also report salaries well above the average, reflecting the premium placed on specialized knowledge in cloud security and risk management.

Highest-Paid Cybersecurity Roles

Some cybersecurity positions offer extraordinarily high salaries due to the specialized nature of the work and the level of responsibility involved. Here are some of the highest-paying roles in the cybersecurity industry:

• Security Architect: $110,594 – $136,809
• CISO: $273,493 – $375,798
• Cybersecurity Director: $185,031 – $283,916
• Penetration Tester: $93,000 – $136,600
• Cybersecurity Consultant: $99,500 – $159,000
• Network Security Engineer: $94,474 – $134,505

As you progress in your career, these high-level roles become accessible, often requiring a combination of advanced education, years of experience, and specialized certifications. Pursuing a master’s degree in cybersecurity from a reputable institution like NMSU Global Campus can set you on the path toward these prestigious roles.

Exploring Cybersecurity Careers with a Degree from NMSU Global Campus

Cybersecurity is one of the most lucrative and fast-growing fields in the technology industry today. Whether you are just starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, the salary potential in this field is significant, with roles ranging from entry-level security analyst positions to CISO leadership roles offering six-figure salaries.

By pursuing a degree in cybersecurity from NMSU Global Campus, you’ll be positioned to succeed in this exciting and financially rewarding career. With comprehensive programs and a focus on both technical skills and leadership, NMSU Global Campus prepares graduates for the demands and opportunities of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

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References

1. “What is the Average CISSP Salary?” ISC2, last accessed 14 February 2025.