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What aspect of cybersecurity pays the most money?

#cybersecurity #computer science #cyber

Thank you comment icon As was mentioned to you before and also mentioned to others, if the driving force to get a career is how much money you can get , it is not the best way to start. How much you can make depends on many factors including if you are passionate about it, whether you can make a difference, the location , company, cybersecurity field where you became a subject matter expert ... My recommendation is to find a path you are very good at and follow it , look at the different cybersecurity curricula and choose the best for you. Alejandro Torres

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Luke’s Answer

Faisol, this depends on many things such as location, experience, and simply being in the right place at the right time to land an opportunity.

Do a Google search for "reddit cybersecurity compensation thread." The first results takes you to a Reddit thread containing two Google sheets with many (many) salary responses from people around the world. These are a few years old, but still relevant today. You can sort the data however you like and it gives you an idea of what salaries look like based on many variables.

I hope this helps.
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Pablo’s Answer

Cyber Security is a broad field with many specialized areas that offer substantial financial rewards, one of which is Vulnerability Research.

Think of Vulnerability Research as detective work for computers. It's a field that employs intelligent individuals, known as "security researchers," who are tasked with identifying potential weak spots in computer systems, software, or websites. These weak spots function like concealed doors or hidden passageways that ill-intentioned individuals, often referred to in tech jargon as "hackers," could potentially exploit to infiltrate the system.

The primary responsibility of vulnerability researchers is to discover these weak spots and assist in rectifying them to prevent exploitation by malicious entities. Therefore, proficient vulnerability researchers are of immense value and in high demand.
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Stephanie’s Answer

As previously mentioned, don't select any career path for the money. Select something you are passionate about and have interest in. And know that with most careers, when you're just getting started you will likely have to do 'grunt work' for less money to get your feet wet and learn more on the job. Your education is definitely a good foundation of knowledge, but you'll still need to do aspects of any job that are not glamorous early on, and perhaps even after you've been doing the job for several years. And after several years in whichever career you select and you've learned enough that makes you "an expert", you may choose to become a consultant.

Cybersecurity, like many other fields, has MANY different areas of focus. If you do an online search for "map of cybersecurity domains" you will see those areas, which will hopefully help you understand more about the careers related to "cybersecurity" and how to determine career path that may interest you.
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Joshua’s Answer

To be 100% honest it’s really depends on location and other factors. Also if you are looking at cyber as a career just for the money it may not be a good path for you. When you look at the hours we sometimes work and what we get paid sometimes it’s not really that great.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hi Faisol,

The Goldmine of Cybersecurity: Consulting

Cybersecurity is a field that's rich with opportunities, but one area that truly shines in terms of financial reward is cybersecurity consulting. These are the experts that companies turn to when they need a comprehensive evaluation of their security systems. They spot weaknesses, suggest improvements, and help to strengthen the company's overall security stance. With their wide-ranging knowledge and experience in different cybersecurity areas, it's no wonder they're in high demand!

These consultants earn impressive salaries, thanks to their unique skills and the critical importance of their work. They guide companies through intricate security strategies, introduce advanced security solutions, and are often the first responders during security incidents. They also share their knowledge with internal teams, adding even more value to their role.

As cyber threats become more advanced and tricky, the need for these skilled consultants is only going to grow. This rising demand means that cybersecurity consulting will likely continue to be a high-earning area of the field.

While there are several well-paying roles in cybersecurity, consulting stands out as the one that consistently brings in the most due to the specialized skills and expertise it demands.

Here are the top 3 authoritative sources I used to answer your question:

1. Forbes: A trusted source for insights into various industries, including technology and cybersecurity, and a great place to find information on the highest-paying roles in the field.

2. Cybersecurity Ventures: A highly regarded source for cybersecurity trends, market research, and industry insights. It provides detailed data on job opportunities and salary trends in cybersecurity.

3. Bureau of Labor Statistics: A reliable government source that offers in-depth information on employment statistics, including median pay and job outlook for various occupations, including those in cybersecurity.

ADDENDUM
When you look at the end of my BIO you will see the Nutrients that positively affect your academic and physical performances. These are proteins, complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc.

Wishing you abundant blessings!
James.
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George’s Answer

Think about joining the Military. There's a wealth of career paths in Cybersecurity. Serving our nation comes with numerous long-term advantages.

George recommends the following next steps:

Talk with a Recruiter
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Edmond’s Answer

For me job satisfaction and work-life balance have always been much more important than the pay. I'd rather be able to attend my kid's school or sports events than get paid more. I'd rather have weekends free and enjoy my hobby hiking in the mountains than get more money - I do realize however that everyone is different. If you're after money, cybersecurity might not be the best option. May I suggest that you consider other disciplines like stock trading, real-estate, investment banking, etc. All of these are equally stressful careers but I believe the ratio of stress to pay for them is much higher.

In our field, like many others, the higher up management positions have the highest pay (salary + benefits), especially if you can make it to that level in any of the larger companies, e.g. most of the ones in Silicon Valley. Security architects, Pen-testers, and data scientists are next, and these days if you have any related (and verifiable) experience with AI would bump up your pay.

If you do like to stick w/ cybersecurity, I'd suggest first learn which field you have the best talent and aptitude, then plan towards becoming an expert in that area. Start with the "Career Options" section of https://niccs.cisa.gov/education-training/cybersecurity-students

Wishing you the best of luck!
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