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Job outlook for information assurance engineers in the United States
Information assurance engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected information assurance engineer job growth rate is 32% from 2018-2028.
About 35,500 new jobs for information assurance engineers are projected over the next decade.
Information assurance engineer salaries have increased 12% for information assurance engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 12,889 information assurance engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 104,421 active information assurance engineer job openings in the US.
The average information assurance engineer salary is $89,291.
Are information assurance engineer jobs in demand?
Information assurance engineer job and salary trends over time
Information assurance engineer jobs over time
Information assurance engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,889 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 18,064 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 17,553 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 28,055 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 27,326 | 0.01% |
Average information assurance engineer salary over time
Information assurance engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $89,291 | $42.93 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $86,348 | $41.51 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $84,394 | $40.57 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $81,957 | $39.40 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $79,460 | $38.20 | +2.8% |
Information assurance engineer jobs by state
Most common states for information assurance engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 587 | 85% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,104 | 37% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,865 | 27% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 254 | 26% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 155 | 25% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,335 | 24% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 744 | 24% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 313 | 23% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,646 | 22% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 229 | 22% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,243 | 21% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 881 | 21% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 152 | 21% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 117 | 20% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 145 | 19% |
| 16 | California | 39,536,653 | 7,304 | 18% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 342 | 18% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,198 | 17% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 176 | 17% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 145 | 17% |
Most common cities for information assurance engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfax | 2 | 8% | $76,234 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 2 | 5% | $78,895 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | 4 | 2% | $78,823 |
| 4 | Alexandria | 1 | 1% | $76,333 |
| 5 | Bloomington | 1 | 1% | $71,731 |
| 6 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $83,516 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs | 2 | 0% | $81,746 |
| 8 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $95,419 |
| 9 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $76,360 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $77,839 |
| 11 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $81,448 |
Information Assurance Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of information assurance engineer experts
Pace University
West Virginia State University
University of Maryland Global Campus
Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Northwood University
Xavier University
Albertus Magnus College
Medaille College
East Tennessee State University
Texas A&M University San Antonio
University of Georgia
Grantek Systems Integration
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Liberty University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Northern Michigan University
AVIXA
What general advice would you give to an Information Assurance Engineer?
Dr. Darren Hayes: Add a cover letter, to accompany your resume, as many older people who review your resume expect you to include one. Don't just list your skills but mention some special projects that you were involved in, or your impact on an organization during an internship. These demonstrate the application of your skills and can be great talking points during an interview. Don't add a lot of acronyms to your resume and expect that the reviewer will know what those mean - spell everything out. Read about the organization that you are applying to before an interview - it shows that you care and are taking an interest while in the interview. Professional certifications, in addition to your degree, will give you an edge over other applicants. Additionally, participation in team competitions, such as capture the flag, demonstrates a willingness to learn beyond the classroom, hone your skills, and ability to work in a team setting. Cybersecurity, digital forensics, IT, are always evolving so you need to continue to evolve too. Therefore, you should have plans to continue learning, such as professional certifications, graduate degree, training classes and other continuing education options. Talk about your plans and goals in an interview and not just about what you have done.
What Information Assurance Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Darren Hayes: Many students add 'Excellent communication skills' to their resume but cannot explain what they mean by this. If you can demonstrate this by showing a website that you created, detailing your skills, portfolio of special projects, and other key successes, then it shows that you went the extra mile. Excellent communication skills can also be demonstrated with a YouTube video that you created, a presentation you gave at an academic conference or at other speaking engagements. Graduates looking for a job with Homeland Security that can demonstrate excellent writing skills are in need. My students who possessed excellent writing skills, in addition to technical skills, generally ended up making a higher salary. Those in high-ranking positions are generally assigned reporting responsibilities that require a good command of the English language. Critical thinking is also vitally important.
What will help Information Assurance Engineers 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. Ali Al-Sinayyid PhD
Assistant ProfessorWest Virginia State University
Computer Science
What general advice would you give to an Information Assurance Engineer?
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 will help Information Assurance Engineers 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 Information Assurance Engineer 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 general advice would you give to an Information Assurance Engineer?
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.
Syed Rizvi
Professor, ChairPennsylvania State University - Altoona
Computer/Information Technology Administration And Management
What Information Assurance Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Syed Rizvi: 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 Information Assurance Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Todd Allen: - analyzing systems, including technical and social implications, of engineering solutions
Professor David Sanford
Associate Professor an Department Chair (MIS, CS, CYB MGT, IS CYB)Northwood University
Computer And Information Sciences
What general advice would you give to an Information Assurance Engineer?
Professor David Sanford: Workers like that they are challenged to solve problems and lead technological innovations.
They appreciate the diversity of projects
They enjoy the need for continuous improvement and education
Many see the global impact of their work.
They also desire and appreciate the need for versatile skills
A competitive salary is also an item that employees like
Workers dislike that the work can be stressful
Dealing with tight deadlines and/ or cybersecurity concerns.
This is a positive and a negative: The need to constantly stay up to date with technology can be a bit overwhelming for some.
There may be times of isolation, and
The unexpected system failures can be frustrating as they often require extra hours or the need to be on-call.
The multiple responsibilities and managing repetitive tasks are also issues workers point out in this field.
In short, the workplace offers exciting opportunities but comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. Different people have different experiences based on their roles and personal preferences.
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer
Professor and ChairXavier University
Department Of Physics
What skills stand out on Information Assurance Engineer resumes?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Programming languages, numerical design and simulation tools, knowledge of various measurement equipment.
What soft skills should all Information Assurance Engineers possess?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Communication, teamwork.
What skills will help Information Assurance Engineers earn the most?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Problem-solving, troubleshooting, independent learner.
David Garaventa
Director, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity Programs, Assistant Professor, CISAlbertus Magnus College
Business Administration and Management Department
What skills stand out on Information Assurance Engineer resumes?
David Garaventa: The skills/attributes required across a variety of jobs in the IT fields.
Dr. Steven MacMartin
Director, Associate ProfessorMedaille College
Homeland Security Program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Information Assurance Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Steven MacMartin: Overall, in general? Health care, elementary school teachers, daycare, researchers at the PhD level and also low level, entry/service jobs - fast food, restaurant, bar, etc. Homeland Security specifically - really none. Jobs in the Homeland Security field have remained largely unaffected by the pandemic, and the pandemic isn't really directly related to specific Homeland Security jobs. (Maybe in the research and technology fields.). A side effect of the pandemic has been to focus a little on cyber security issues and those jobs could expand in law enforcement and Homeland Security areas.
What soft skills should all Information Assurance Engineers possess?
Dr. Steven MacMartin: Absolutely - writing and oral presentation. A secondary skill that is helpful is academic research skills. But definitely writing skills.
Jared Wilson
Assistant Professor and Faculty CoordinatorEast Tennessee State University
Surveying and Mapping
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Assurance Engineers?
Jared Wilson: The information I have been provided is positive when the outlook is concerning the workload that is being performed by the professional industry. Land surveying, and subsequently, land surveyors, have been deemed essential; thus, work is still being performed. The profession, as a whole, is driven highly by the status of the economy, and in the current economic state, the current workload is in demand. Thus, graduates should be able to find gainful employment regardless of the impact COVID-19 has. As with all professions, adaptation is necessary, and the profession is adapting well.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Information Assurance Engineers to find work opportunities?
Jared Wilson: Within the field of land surveying and related employment opportunities, work is available. However, in my experience, work may not be in the exact location a person wishes to live. So, a move may be necessary, or potentially traveling to where the work is located. Should a graduate, or person for that matter, want to work, work is available.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Information Assurance Engineers?
Izzat Alsmadi: All certificates related to the earlier fields, specially data science and cyber security.
Paul Phillips CISA, CISM, MBA
IT Risk Professional Practices LeadISACA
What type of skills will young Information Assurance Engineers need?
Paul Phillips CISA, CISM, MBA: The recommended skillsets will vary depending on the type of role that the recent graduate is pursuing. In a research development team at a non-profit association like ISACA, for example, we look for candidates not only with specific knowledge or experience in a certain field - like IT risk or IT audit - but also with the ability to analyze data and communicate about research findings or best practices in these areas in a clear way in reports and other content to our members and the larger tech community.
Because our association serves tech professionals, we also have some interesting research around what they are looking for in employees too. Technology skills (especially those related to cybersecurity), as well as creative and communication skills are both attractive to these employers. ISACA's State of Cybersecurity 2020 survey report found that cybersecurity jobs are in high demand, and 78 percent of survey respondents expect an increased demand for technical cybersecurity positions. Among the skills they are looking for in their candidates are not just IT knowledge and cybersecurity technical experience but also business insight and soft skills (like communication).
What experience really stands out on Information Assurance Engineer resumes?
Paul Phillips CISA, CISM, MBA: Leadership and project management skills always stand out on a resume. Having any experience in leading a project and being able to demonstrate how this was profitable or made some impact for an organization is valuable, especially for a non-profit who may be looking for how to get the biggest value with sometimes limited resources. Again, technology skills coupled with marketing and/or business skills will be of particular interest. Employers are looking for candidates who will not only be able to bring relevant skills to perform their job, but who also have the communications skills and business savvy to be able to effectively engage with leadership and understand how their work ties in with the larger objectives of the organization.
Maric Boudreau
Department Head & Associate ProfessorUniversity of Georgia
Department of Management Information Systems
What experience really stands out on Information Assurance Engineer resumes?
Maric Boudreau: Internships and certifications are always considered positively by recruiters. Because of the pandemic, some of our students' summer plans fell apart (such as internships and study abroad). Those who can demonstrate that they made the best out of this situation and attempted to help others and improve their skills will stand out. For example, some of our students ended up working with small businesses and non-profit organizations in the Athens area to help them leverage technology so they could continue servicing their customers. These students developed websites, improved business processes, analyzed datasets - work that was non-compensated and done virtually. Not only did these students hone their technical skills, but also they felt quite good about helping out members of our community. Such experiences highlight students' resilience and determination when confronted with adversity, and these are the kind of things that stand out.
What type of skills will young Information Assurance Engineers need?
Jacob Chapman: It wasn't so long ago that I was a recent graduate - I graduated in 2014. So I try to reflect on my experience from the not-so-distant past when answering this question. Moving through roles at Grantek from an engineer to a director and regularly being in conversations around hiring and staffing needs reminds me how skewed my view of what makes a recent graduate successful was.
Something I've come to realize is how fast everything is changing. As students, we see that from a consumer perspective... such as the groundbreaking advances in wireless headphones, 5G, and TikTok. In the workforce, we experience that same change from a business perspective, and you feel it in the forms of company restructures, frequently changing roles and responsibilities, and endless experimentation.
So, I think the best recipe for success is to enter a field that you find interesting and engaging and welcome the chaos. Be willing - and excited - to throw yourself at something that's completely new and failing happily, then trying it again and getting better. Realize that tearing down old ways of thinking and re-building better ones, only to tear those down and re-build even better ones later, is an organic and flexible way of improving quickly. So focus on skills that facilitate being adaptable, excited, and collaborative. Communication skills, work-life balance skills, listening skills, and problem-solving skills are more essential than domain knowledge, in my humble opinion.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Information Assurance Engineers to find work opportunities?
Jacob Chapman: I would say the good news is there's a lot of flexibility. Working in the industrial automation field, manufacturing, and industrial operations are everywhere, and so are the vendors and service providers that support them. Additionally, remote access into the systems that need work done on them and employers' openness to working from home is accelerating. Finally, COVID-19 has made many organizations, which valued in-person interaction, learn that business can continue with a highly remote workforce.
With all of that being said, there are hotspots to be aware of. In life sciences, manufacturing, Raleigh-Durham, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Boston, and California come to mind. If you're open to working at an engineering services company or an OEM, your options are endless, and they're often located outside major U.S. and Canadian cities.
How do you envision technology impacting Information Assurance Engineers in the next 5 years?
Jacob Chapman: We are already well into an explosion of technology and innovation affecting manufacturing and industrial operations. Longstanding technology platforms and manufacturers regularly leapfrog each other in terms of performance and market dominance, making the technical landscape a constantly moving target. But one trend is currently the king of trends, which is IoT, with billions of devices being connected to the internet. The industrial space is being just as affected, and operations that were historically "simple" and mechanical will be increasingly data-driven, and manufacturers who hesitate to adopt higher-tech have a harder time being competitive.
It means professionals to implement systems, aggregate data, generate real-time insights from them, and translate those insights into business decisions will be increasingly in demand. This requires so many pieces to come together, such as networking, cybersecurity, computing, automation, smart manufacturing systems, and more. Even more important are technical professionals who also understand the business landscape, the underlying needs of industrial operations, so individuals who have had exposure to many of these areas, over time, are highly valuable.
Dr. Sohrab Asgarpoor
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Professor of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln
College of Engineering
How do you envision technology impacting Information Assurance Engineers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Sohrab Asgarpoor: Adopting new technology should be an exciting (and expected) reality for those with an engineering degree. The virtual space will continue to grow as folks seek jobs and work online more. But what holds paramount, no matter what particular technological changes arise, is the ability to adapt-and to demonstrate that critical aptitude in their application documents and through their interviews, always highlighting those moments they've done so and articulating their propensity for learning.
What experience really stands out on Information Assurance Engineer resumes?
Robert Rich: -Certification such as green belt, black-belt, machine learning, Lean Manufacturing, and APICS supply chain/inventory
-Specialized undergraduate research projects that go deep into various leading-edge topics like integrating AI with manufacturing and logistics
-Consulting experience/real projects within areas of undergraduate research
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and ProfessorRose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Department of Physics and Optical Engineering
What experience really stands out on Information Assurance Engineer resumes?
Dr. Galen Duree: It depends on what you are applying for. If you are working on product development, then internships or co-ops provide a definite advantage. If you are working on developing new ways of doing things, research experiences in academia or companies are advantageous. Either case, this shows a certain maturity in your career path - you have participated in an activity related to the career you are currently pursuing.
What Information Assurance Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Galen Duree: It again depends on what the graduate sees as their next step - graduate school or a job with a company or lab. If the next step is graduate school, the graduate should investigate what they are interested in pursuing and then where the best school is to get the experience that the graduate thinks he or she wants.
General reading about technologies or reading available articles about subjects the graduate is interested in will help generate questions they can ask potential graduate schools. This time would also be a chance to improve areas where the graduate may feel weak while an undergraduate. Many online resources can help them brush up on week background topics. Do not worry about transfer credits because that is usually not helpful in graduate school, but improve knowledge and experience in areas where the graduate feels weak. If the graduate has identified a graduate school and program to study in, the graduate school might have some recommendations about what to review. All of this will help improve success in graduate school.
If the next step is a job with a company or lab, taking courses to improve communication will help. Many technically competent or even technically brilliant people struggle with effective communication. Techniques about writing reports, making oral presentations, or communicating technical information will help improve success. The gap year also provides time to investigate technologies that the graduate wants to be involved in and the companies or labs in those areas.
Once the graduate has identified areas of interest and companies or labs that the graduate might want to work for, they can be contacted to either answer questions or point the graduate in a direction for further investigation.
In either case, a gap year can provide a chance to refine the graduate's choice for the next steps and help them prepare other skills overlooked during the undergraduate years.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Information Assurance Engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree: People with knowledge, even introductory experience, in quantum effects, quantum computing, optics in general (communication, measurements, imaging, illumination, detection), material science and engineering, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, will be in high demand.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Assurance Engineers?
Michael Rudisill: It depends on what you really mean by enduring, but for all practical purposes, once the pandemic has passed, the economy will return, and anyone in the engineering field who wants a job will have many opportunities. Obviously, the short-term effect can be brutal for new graduates as jobs are not as plentiful as "usual"-but in the long term, those that persevere will end up in great careers. In some ways, it will be harder on the senior engineers who haven't stayed employed, as they are missing out on years when their income should be the highest. New graduates are missing relatively low earning years, so the long-term effects should not be as bad looking at lifetime earnings.
How do you envision technology impacting Information Assurance Engineers in the next 5 years?
Michael Rudisill: Technology will continue to advance-which will increase the need for trained engineers. Even areas such as sales that not many people would think would be looking for engineers when dealing with technologically advanced products need people who understand how the product works, perform, etc.-in other words-trained engineers.
What general advice would you give to an Information Assurance Engineer?
Michael Rudisill: Patience will be a key - there will be many jobs available - we have been contacted by several employers looking for grads. Still, it certainly is not like we have seen historically. As the economy comes out of the COVID recession, engineering jobs will come back very quickly. By the spring graduation, I think we will be pretty close to back to a somewhat familiar employment picture.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Information Assurance Engineers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Michael Rudisill: From what we've seen, salaries haven't been reduced, even though demand is down. I would expect wages and salary progression to remain strong as the need for engineering will only continue to grow.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Information Assurance Engineers to find work opportunities?
Joé Lloyd: Because AV is so tied to people, we're not an industry that has hotspots in the same way that tech, finance, and the defense industries do. Cities will have more AV jobs than rural areas, and areas with strong growth will outperform those without, but we do not predict hubs at this time.
What general advice would you give to an Information Assurance Engineer?
Joé Lloyd: In the AVIXA 2019 Q2 Macro-Economic Trends Analysis, we studied how tight or slack labor markets affect hiring. We found that the current economy is tough for those seeking to enter a skill-intensive industry like audiovisual (AV). Our data shows that when unemployment goes up, AV companies respond by raising hiring standards. Candidates will need a strong résumé to get hired, whether it’s in years of experience or a targeted technical degree or certification.