Hacker vs cyber security specialist

The differences between hackers and cyber security specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a hacker and a cyber security specialist. Additionally, a cyber security specialist has an average salary of $93,395, which is higher than the $88,716 average annual salary of a hacker.

The top three skills for a hacker include python, web application and A/B. The most important skills for a cyber security specialist are cyber security, incident response, and NIST.

Hacker vs cyber security specialist overview

	Hacker	Cyber Security Specialist
Yearly salary	$88,716	$93,395
Hourly rate	$42.65	$44.90
Growth rate	32%	32%
Number of jobs	12,903	65,235
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	6

Hacker vs cyber security specialist salary

Hackers and cyber security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Hacker	Cyber Security Specialist
Average salary	$88,716	$93,395
Salary range	Between $56,000 And $139,000	Between $69,000 And $125,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Bellevue, WA
Highest paying state	Maryland	Washington
Best paying company	Citi	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between hacker and cyber security specialist education

There are a few differences between a hacker and a cyber security specialist in terms of educational background:

	Hacker	Cyber Security Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Harvard University	North Carolina State University

Hacker vs cyber security specialist demographics

Here are the differences between hackers' and cyber security specialists' demographics:

	Hacker	Cyber Security Specialist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5%	Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between hacker and cyber security specialist duties and responsibilities

Hacker example responsibilities.

Manage and create updates to company website including graphics, animation and overall functionality.
Hire a hacker to hack facebook account!
Hack, grade, & stack brick.
Pitch low-cost advertising strategies such as Adwords and SEO to generate revenue
Perform daily data queries, create views in database using SQL.
Work on ethical hacking through Kali Linux and learned about physical and cyber security.

Cyber security specialist example responsibilities.

Manage and monitor enterprise antivirus and software firewall programs.
Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
Scan network infrastructure for insecurities and vulnerabilities using programs such as ACAS and HBSS.
Work on implementing DISA STIGS.
Assist in using Nessus to scan local machines.
Upload audit files to ACAS in preparation for STIG scans.

Hacker vs cyber security specialist skills

Common hacker skills

Python, 21%
Web Application, 12%
A/B, 10%
SEO, 9%
B Testing, 9%
Digital Marketing, 8%

Common cyber security specialist skills

Cyber Security, 17%
Incident Response, 6%
NIST, 5%
Security Operations, 4%
Forensics, 4%
DOD, 3%

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Hacker vs Cyber Security Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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