Cybersecurity Technician Salary: Your 2025 Guide

Digital technologies, expansive computer networks, and today’s increasingly connected world make cybersecurity essential. Organizations concerned about the threat of cybercrimes require skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect their networks, detect potential threats, and respond to security breaches. Cybersecurity technicians play a pivotal role in protecting organizations’ assets from cyber threats, such as malware, phishing, and ransomware. 

Also known as an IT security specialist or an information security analyst, a cybersecurity technician works alongside other cybersecurity professionals to protect an organization’s data and minimize threats. 

The field of cybersecurity is growing rapidly, with an increasing number of job openings and projections for even more growth over the next decade. Explore the role of a cybersecurity technician in this growing field, including cybersecurity technician salaries, job duties, and factors that may affect your pay. 

What is a cybersecurity technician?

A cybersecurity technician is a key player on an organization’s cybersecurity team, guarding the organization’s networks and data against attacks, monitoring for vulnerabilities, and maintaining software to protect confidential information. As a cybersecurity technician, you’ll work on both the offensive and defensive ends of cybersecurity, implementing security measures that reduce the risk of a potential cyberattack and confronting those attacks if they occur. To prevent attacks, you’ll stay on top of information technology (IT) trends to ensure you use the strongest security. Additionally, you will work with your colleagues to develop a network infrastructure with firewalls that protect company data.

You’ll also monitor your company’s network for potential attacks, looking for and eliminating vulnerabilities that may let hackers in. As a result, cybersecurity technicians need to understand the latest cyber threats, including what strategies hackers are using. Navigating emerging cyber threats is a team effort, so you can expect to work alongside other IT and cybersecurity professionals daily to ensure your company’s data remains well-protected.

How much does a cybersecurity technician make?

According to various job listing sites, cybersecurity technicians make between $55,353 and $70,000. The average base salaries for a cybersecurity technician include the following [1, 2, 3]:

While these average salaries give you a sense of what you can expect to earn, your salary depends on several factors, including your industry, your location, and your credentials. 

Factors that may affect cybersecurity technician salary

Many factors can impact your salary as a cybersecurity technician. Understanding these factors can help you determine how much you can expect to make as you begin and later advance in your career in cybersecurity. 

Job title

One factor that can impact your cybersecurity technician salary is your job title. Cybersecurity technician is just one of several titles in this growing field. You may also see relevant job listings for information security analysts or specialists, IT security specialists, and cybersecurity specialists. While the job duties of these roles are quite similar, the title may dictate how much your employer pays you. 

Education

Although not all cybersecurity technicians earn degrees, having a college degree may help you secure a higher salary. Twenty-one percent of cybersecurity technicians hold a high school diploma, 30 percent earn an associate degree, and 36 percent have a bachelor’s degree [4]. With additional education, you’ll develop your skills, making you more attractive to potential employers and allowing you to earn more.

You can also increase your earning potential by earning a cybersecurity certification. These certifications require you to develop your knowledge and expertise in information security and then pass an exam to earn the certification. Examples of cybersecurity certifications include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• CompTIA Security+

Experience

Your salary as a cybersecurity technician will also depend on your experience level. An entry-level position in cybersecurity typically pays less than a mid-level or senior-level job in the field. As your experience grows, so too will your salary; see the average annual salary data below [1]:

• 0–1 year of experience: $58,620

• 1–3 years of experience: $63,455

• 4–6 years of experience: $69,550

• 7–9 years of experience: $72,593

• 10–14 years of experience: $74,840

• 15 or more years of experience: $78,177

Industry

The industry you choose to work in can also impact your salary, with some industries paying more than others. Cybersecurity technicians work in various industries, including large tech companies, financial institutions, and insurance companies, among others. You can even find cybersecurity positions in government agencies. Some of the highest-paying companies hiring cybersecurity technicians include Microsoft, Google, and Uber [3]. Consider these average salaries at the top five cybersecurity technician employers [3]:

• Microsoft: $140,927

• Google: $133,834

• Uber Technologies: $127,753

• Salesforce: $126,170

• Dropbox: $125,464

Location

Where you live and work can also play a role in your cybersecurity technician salary. Cost of living can influence your salary, with employers in high-cost-of-living areas often paying more than those in more affordable areas. Some of the highest-paying states for cybersecurity technicians include Alaska, Maine, Washington, and Wisconsin [3]. Additionally, the following cities offer the highest earnings for cybersecurity technicians [3]:

1. Seattle, WA: $98,962

2. San Francisco, CA: $83,578

3. Milwaukee, WI: $74,688

4. Salt Lake City, UT: $73,345

5. Cranston, RI: $71,691

6. Morgantown, WV: $71,417

7. New York, NY: $69,596

8. San Antonio, TX: $67,167

9. McLean, VA: $65,787

10. Fayetteville, NC: $65,294

Cybersecurity technician job outlook

Cybersecurity roles, including that of cybersecurity technician, fall into the broad category of information security analysts. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a favorable job outlook for information security analysts, projecting a 33 percent job growth rate between 2023 and 2033 [5]. 

The World Economic Forum also reported a global shortage of four million cybersecurity workers, with 71 percent of companies reporting they had unfilled cybersecurity jobs [6]. This data indicates that cybersecurity is a promising field to enter, with plenty of potential and advancement opportunities.

Getting started in cybersecurity on Coursera

Landing a job in cybersecurity offers an in-demand career where you can monitor for cyberattacks and protect your organization’s digital assets. 

Launch your cybersecurity studies on Coursera. You can earn the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera, a beginner-level, eight-course series. You’ll explore the basics of cybersecurity, including how to protect networks and data from unauthorized access. You may also complete the University of Maryland’s Cybersecurity for Everyone course, where you can learn about telecommunications architecture, the hacking process, and the consequences of cyber threats.