It seems like everywhere you turn and everyone you speak to about cyber, the common consensus is that the cybersecurity job market is red hot. Let's explore the numbers behind that, how it got this way, and how it can benefit you!

The Numbers

Job Growth

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for Cybersecurity Analysts / Information Security Analysts will grow 35% between now and 2030, even while many other skill and unskilled job openings are declining. 

The Talent Gap

The Analyst role is the entry-level role for many in their cybersecurity careers, but the industry at every level continues to grow. Since 2020, more than 700,000 new professionals have entered the cybersecurity space. And the crazy part -- that is 2,720,000 less than what is required to meet demand!

This is what is referred to as the cybersecurity talent gap. It has been around for years, and while the industry has made gains on filling openings, it still has a long way to go.

Salaries

ZipRecruiter tracks data related to jobs and job openings for cybersecurity (along with just about every other industry and job). Currently the salary range for the majority of entry-level cybersecurity analysts runs from $52,000 to $104,500, with the average salary being right around $80,000. And as we talk about here, make sure to keep in mind all of the other ways that employers compensate you!

How Did We Get Here?

Two main factors are fueling the strong demand for cybersecurity talent: the current talent gap, and the increase in cybersecurity threats. 

As mentioned above, the world does not have enough cybersecurity talent to defend digital and technology assets. In the United States, it's estimated that the talent gap is between 700,000 to 1,000,000 workers per year. This is one of the reasons why governments, companies, and schools have raced to train new people in cybersecurity. 

The second and equally concerned reason: cyber threats are not going anywhere, and in fact they are on the rise. According to Fortune magazine, between 2020 and 2021, cyber attacks rose by 31%. Companies, on average, experienced 29 separate attacks. And as new technology and digital assets continue to be built and deployed, each of those new tools comes with the need for new cyber defense.

The Bottom Line: How Can You Benefit?

The time to jump into a cyber security career is right now. Companies are focusing less on formal degrees and more on training and certifications. Salaries continue to rise for cyber talent, and with the talent gap growing, workers will have greater say to who they will work for and where.