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Job outlook for data security analysts in the United States
Are data security analyst jobs in demand?
Data security analyst job and salary trends over time
Data security analyst jobs over time
Data security analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,188 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,062 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 836 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,510 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,452 | 0.00% |
Average data security analyst salary over time
Data security analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $87,446 | $42.04 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $84,564 | $40.66 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $82,650 | $39.74 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $80,263 | $38.59 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $77,818 | $37.41 | +2.8% |
Data security analyst jobs by state
Most common states for data security analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 618 | 89% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,623 | 38% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,962 | 32% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 236 | 32% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 190 | 30% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 306 | 29% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 161 | 28% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 345 | 26% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,085 | 25% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 891 | 25% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 244 | 25% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,355 | 24% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,597 | 23% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,307 | 23% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 242 | 23% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 175 | 23% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 430 | 22% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,745 | 21% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,932 | 21% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,516 | 20% |
Most common cities for data security analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lafayette | 2 | 3% | $75,734 |
| 2 | Lancaster | 2 | 3% | $88,212 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $88,267 |
| 4 | Arlington | 2 | 1% | $85,074 |
| 5 | Salinas | 2 | 1% | $105,861 |
| 6 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $73,460 |
| 7 | Urban Honolulu | 2 | 1% | $68,945 |
| 8 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $78,364 |
| 9 | Huntsville | 1 | 1% | $75,584 |
| 10 | Rockville | 1 | 1% | $87,944 |
| 11 | Salt Lake City | 1 | 1% | $82,535 |
| 12 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $82,347 |
| 13 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $83,036 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $84,810 |
| 15 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $87,821 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $75,845 |
| 17 | Irving | 1 | 0% | $82,129 |
Data Security Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of data security analyst experts
Rider University
Mississippi College
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Maryland - College Park
Kettering University
City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
University of Missouri - St Louis
Pace University
Central Connecticut State University
West Virginia State University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
University of Indianapolis
University of Maryland Global Campus
Roosevelt University
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Robert Cutlip Ph.D.: Regarding salary, internship experience or part-time employment in the field will be of benefit. Also, any certifications in this area will be of benefit to prospective employers.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Zhengping Luo Ph.D.: Maximizing your salary potential hinges on providing value in a market-driven economy. Make sure to focus on developing skills that are in high demand. One of the tips is to consider expanding your horizons beyond where you grow up or the place you received your degree. Explore opportunities in locations that value your talents and offer competitive compensation, such as different cities, states, or even nations. Additionally, don't limit yourself to familiar job roles; be open to new positions and industries. The evolving job market continually creates new and unforeseen opportunities. While striving for financial success is important, it's equally vital to consider long-term goals and personal fulfillment. Prioritize maximizing life experiences and other cherished values alongside financial goals.
What general advice would you give to a Data Security Analyst?
Taylor Poe Ph.D.: Remember to problem solve creatively just as you did in your coursework. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills you learned will be continually tested in whatever field you go into from your math degree. Also remember the benefits of collaborating with colleagues both in the field and in other disciplines.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Taylor Poe Ph.D.: Sell the strengths that set you apart and be willing to continue learning new skills and areas.
Tim Scales
Director of Center for Entrepreneurship – Director Center for Economic Education and Senior Lecturer in Business and EconomicsWhat Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tim Scales: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in the field, it's important to negotiate effectively, demonstrate value through performance, seek out opportunities for advancement and additional responsibilities, and continuously invest in improving skills and knowledge relevant to the industry.
Spyros Kitsiou Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
Medical Illustration And Informatics
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Spyros Kitsiou Ph.D.: By targeting positions that align with your background and expertise and by adjusting aspects of your CV and cover letter to highlight your skills and competencies in relation to the position you are applying for. Also, by negotiating your salary and providing justification as to why you deserve more than the initial offer. Do your research and talk to people to gain a better understanding of what is the salary range of the position you are applying.
What general advice would you give to a Data Security Analyst?
Sean Cao: Data analytics skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and communication skills will become more important and prevalent in the next few years. Acquiring these skills positions students to gain a competitive edge in the era of AI.
Dr. Osama Aljarrah
Assistant ProfessorKettering University
Manufacturing Engineering
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Osama Aljarrah: As someone who deeply cares about my students' success beyond graduation, I strongly recommend seeking a mentor. Choose someone you respect and whose career path inspires you—whether it's a teacher, manager, or even a family member. A good mentor can offer invaluable guidance and support as you navigate the early stages of your career.
Prof. Marta Bengoa Calvo
Full Professor of EconomicsCity College of New York of the City University of New York, The
Economics
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof. Marta Bengoa Calvo: Start building your online presence, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date, looks professional (including picture), reflects the resume. Also, it helps considering creating a portfolio or blog to showcase the work that has been done (internships, research, data management projects etc.)
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ambrose Kidd III: Having a broad skill set and being prepared to learn on the job. The highest salaries will be for those that get their foot in the door and then demonstrate critical thinking and leadership skills.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Ambrose Kidd III: Be patient and explore widely. It sometimes takes a while to find the first job, but that will be a new opportunity to learn and demonstrate your ability.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Darren Hayes: Artificial intelligence - in terms of automating certain areas of cybersecurity, such as acquiring threat intelligence, malware detection and being alerted to network breaches. Ransomware continues to be the primary concern for most organizations and using AI to quickly identify those threats and quickly respond will be key. AI can also be used in investigations, such as photo searches to identify where a suspect is or to find a missing person. Knowledge of current events - especially geopolitical events. These events have repercussions for the most sophisticated (state-sponsored) cyber attacks. Knowledge of a second, third or fourth language, is helpful now and will continue to be important - especially from a cybersecurity perspective because investigations often include foreign nationals. Knowledge of malware is really important for homeland security and this area of expertise will continue to be in demand. Incident response will continue to be understaffed and therefore tremendous opportunities will continue for those who can respond to network breaches, forensically analyze systems, examine malware, etc. Other areas of importance include, machine learning, quantum computing, open source intelligence (OSINT), threat intelligence (especially related to critical infrastructure and SCADA), cryptocurrencies, IoT threats and IoT evidence, to name but a few.
Dr. Alfredo Rosete PhD
Associate Professor of EconomicsCentral Connecticut State University
Economics
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Alfredo Rosete PhD: Pay attention to transferable skills that you can leverage for moving up in a company ladder or moving to similar jobs that pay more in different companies. Keep learning new skills that have a broad applicability.
Dr. Ali Al-Sinayyid PhD
Assistant ProfessorWest Virginia State University
Computer Science
What general advice would you give to a Data Security Analyst?
Dr. Ali Al-Sinayyid PhD: Cloud Security: With the increasing adoption of cloud computing, expertise in securing cloud environments will be crucial. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML): Leveraging AI and ML for threat detection, anomaly detection, and predictive analytics will be essential in staying ahead of sophisticated cyber threats. Privacy and Data Protection: With the rise of data privacy regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), skills in privacy engineering, data protection, and compliance will be in high demand. IoT Security: As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand, securing connected devices and IoT ecosystems will become increasingly important. Threat Intelligence and Cyber Threat Hunting: Proactive threat intelligence gathering and cyber threat hunting skills will be essential for identifying and mitigating advanced cyber threats before they cause significant damage.
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Ali Al-Sinayyid PhD: Maximizing salary potential when starting your career in cybersecurity requires strategic planning and ongoing skill development. Here are some steps to consider: Certifications: Obtaining industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CISM, CEH, or CCSP can enhance your marketability and salary potential. Practical Experience: Highlight hands-on experience through internships, co-op programs, research projects, or freelance work to showcase your skills and capabilities to potential employers. Negotiate Salary: Research industry salary benchmarks and be prepared to negotiate your salary based on your qualifications, experience, and the value you bring to the organization. Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and market demand in cybersecurity to position yourself for lucrative opportunities and career advancement. Network and Build Relationships: Cultivate relationships with professionals in the field, participate in industry events, and leverage networking opportunities to uncover hidden job opportunities.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ali Al-Sinayyid PhD: I advise any graduate of computer science entering the cybersecurity field, to focus on continuous learning and practical experience. Stay updated on emerging technologies, threats, and best practices through professional development courses, certifications, and participation in industry conferences and events. Also, you need to seek opportunities for hands-on experience through internships, research projects, or collaboration with industry partners. Finally, consider specializing in a niche area of cybersecurity to differentiate yourself and enhance your expertise.
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP®: In the next 3-5 years, I think the finance industry will see a number of opportunities develop for tech savvy graduates. In many areas, incorporating data analytics and understanding how to handle big data will become an important skill. Banks and insurance companies will continue to develop tools for underwriting and credit analysis. Investment firms will begin to utilize the tools of big data to provide clients greater customization at lower costs. Corporations will desire these skills to provide better data for decision making and to help deliver better outcomes for their customers.
Kristi Yowell
Coordinator & Senior Adjunct Lecturer, Graduate Human Resources Management ProgramWhat general advice would you give to a Data Security Analyst?
Kristi Yowell: Be open. Be open to new industries, experiences, and even opportunities that you never considered. Finding your dream job should be looked at fluidly. What you value most today likely won't be the same as what you value most at other points in your career. Experiences and skills you're building today for those first jobs will lead you new opportunities for the future. Be sure to consistently update your resume and LinkedIn profiles, capturing your key projects, skills, and experiences.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Kristi Yowell: Data Analysis, Adaptability, Technical Skills.
Fangjun Sang
Assistant Professor of AccountingUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Data Security Analyst?
Fangjun Sang: Prepare to sit for the professional exams and get licensures, i.e. CPA, CMA, or a certificate relates to cybersecurity.
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fangjun Sang: Data analytics skills. Specifically, be able to learn new software tools quickly, be able to analyze databases and find patterns or issues from data analysis.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Abigail Richard Ph.D.: Students need to become lifelong learners. The fields of data analytics and computer science are constantly growing and changing. Students need to be adept at learning and teaching themselves new skills as technology evolves.
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jesse Varsalone: Obtaining additional industry certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), and OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) can make you a more valuable employee. If you are focused in an area like SOC (Security Operations Center), you can make yourself more well-rounded by learning a different role such as penetration (pen) testing. Adding an additional sector of cybersecurity will make you a more valuable asset to your present company and help you understand your current work role even better.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Jesse Varsalone: There are several things you can do to be successful in your career. Athletes in the NBA and NFL are at the highest level of competition, but they still go to practice all the time and participate in off-season workouts. Anyone in cybersecurity should also practice their skills on a regular basis. Microsoft, VMware, and Oracle provide free virtualization options where you can use Microsoft and Linux virtual machines to practice using the operating systems. Hackthebox and Tryhackme are two cybersecurity training platforms on which you can practice cybersecurity skills with free tiers. Both can help solidify skills and help you gain knowledge in areas of cybersecurity where you might want to expand your skill set. Some of the other ways that you can jump-start your career besides frequent practice include various networking opportunities within the cybersecurity community. Your college or community college may have a cyber team that you can join. Another option might be a local BSides conference (dedicated to advancing information security knowledge-sharing) or a local hackerspace like Unallocated in the Fort Meade, Maryland area. BSides events offer lock picking villages, capture the flag (CTF’s) competitions, and training sessions are all provided at a low cost.
What will help Data Security Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr La Vonne Downey: Get the best education you can, use the jobs platforms, and continue your education and or certifications. Vote in every election and be an information source to educate Also remember no matter what you do to continue to volunteer and help others.
What general advice would you give to a Data Security Analyst?
Autumn Crisafulli: Knowing what you should be paid is crucial. Do your homework before interviews or applications to understand what's fair in terms of salary for your role and location. While it's important to aim for a fair salary, be realistic and honest in your expectations to avoid putting off potential employers. Also, don't underestimate the value of a job that offers clear career progression, even if the starting salary isn't as high. For those starting in physics, it's smart to showcase how your skills can bring something special to the table. Highlighting your adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and willingness to learn can make you stand out, potentially leading to better pay and advancement opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Data Security Analyst?
Syed Rizvi PhD: The field of cybersecurity is in a constant state of evolution, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and staying abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and threats. Graduates should prioritize networking within the industry, as it can provide avenues for mentorship, collaboration, and career growth. Attending industry events, joining professional organizations, and connecting with established professionals are effective strategies. Practical experience holds significant value in cybersecurity; thus, seeking internships, participating in cybersecurity competitions, and engaging in personal projects are recommended to hone skills and build a robust portfolio. Additionally, while technical prowess is essential, soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are equally prized. Nurturing these skills alongside technical expertise is essential for professional success.
What Data Security Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Syed Rizvi PhD: Proficiency in cloud security will be increasingly vital as cloud technologies see widespread adoption. Understanding how to secure cloud environments, data, and applications will be in high demand. Furthermore, the utilization of AI and ML technologies for both offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies underscores the need for professionals well-versed in these areas. Familiarity with compliance frameworks such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA is essential, given the evolving landscape of data privacy regulations globally. Additionally, the ability to swiftly gather, analyze, and respond to cyber threats in real-time will be paramount as threats become more sophisticated and prevalent.