Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Information security analysts focus on protecting information and technology systems. This career offers a combination of strong national employment of 183,000 workers and a projected employment growth rate of 28.5%. With 16,000 annual openings, there are recurring opportunities for both new graduates and experienced professionals. The national median annual salary of $124,910 reflects solid earning potential, with even higher median pay reported in several states and metro areas. The role benefits from a balanced skill profile: computers and information technology, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and attention to detail are all important. Strong writing and reading, speaking and listening, and adaptability also play a role, alongside creativity, innovation, and mathematics. Typical entry into this career involves a bachelor’s degree. For people who enjoy working with complex information, thinking critically, and applying technology-focused skills, information security analysis offers a compelling long-term career path with a mix of opportunity, stability, and advancement potential.
Information security analysts earn a national median annual salary of $124,910, indicating strong overall earning potential. Salaries vary by location, with several states and metro areas offering higher median pay. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $154,940, followed by California at $138,570, Massachusetts at $136,550, New York at $134,660, and Colorado at $135,220. At the metro level, median salaries are even higher in some areas: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA leads at $176,120, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $162,310, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $148,950. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro shows a median salary of $140,470, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH aligns with Massachusetts overall at $136,550. These figures suggest that reaching higher salary tiers may be especially feasible in certain states and major metro areas.
Information security analysts have a national employment level of 183,000 workers, supported by a projected employment growth rate of 28.5%. This combination points to a career with substantial expansion over time. The occupation is expected to generate 16,000 annual openings, which include opportunities from new job creation as well as positions that open when people change jobs or leave the workforce. The consistent growth rate figure of 28.5% appears across national data and the listed states and metro areas, indicating broadly similar projected expansion in different regions. For people planning a long-term career, the combination of established employment, notable projected growth, and recurring annual openings can be attractive. Whether you are just entering the field or considering a career change, the outlook suggests that information security analysis is positioned for ongoing demand and a growing number of roles across the country.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for information security analysts. Among states, California has the highest employment in this list at 15,570, paired with a median salary of $138,570 and the top state-level opportunity score of 67.38. New York shows employment of 10,060 and a median salary of $134,660, with an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts and Washington have similar employment levels, at 6,100 and 6,030 respectively, but Washington reports a higher median salary of $154,940. Colorado, with 5,700 employed, offers a median salary of $135,220. At the metro level, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has the largest listed employment at 16,560 and a median salary of $148,950. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ employs 11,330 with a median salary of $140,470. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out for its high median salary of $176,120 and the highest metro opportunity score of 77.42, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also combine strong pay and solid opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for information security analysts is a bachelor’s degree. This level of education provides a foundation for the broad skill set associated with the role. Key skills include computers and information technology, which are central to the work, alongside critical and analytical thinking and problem solving and decision making. Strong writing and reading skills, as well as speaking and listening, support communication in professional settings. Being detail oriented is also important, given the need to work carefully with information. Creativity and innovation contribute to developing new approaches and solutions, while adaptability helps professionals respond to changing circumstances. Mathematics is another listed skill area, along with mechanical, reflecting the technical and analytical nature of the work. People considering this career can use the combination of a bachelor’s degree and these skills as a guide for planning their education, training, and professional development pathways.
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