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Entry Level Job Market Report
Cybersecurity Analyst
Overall Rating
High
Competition
Very High
Avg Entry Salary
$99k (USD)
Job Satisfaction
4.0/5
Growth Potential
Very High
About
Cybersecurity Analysts monitor, detect, and respond to cyber threats, protecting organizational systems and data from unauthorized access and attacks.
Overall Rating
High
Entry-level cybersecurity analyst roles remain in strong demand due to escalating cyber risks across every sector and a persistent global talent shortage. However, employers require hands-on technical, analytical, and certification-based skills for even entry-level positions.
Competition
Very High
Entry-level cybersecurity analyst job openings are highly competitive for several key reasons:
Certification and Experience Inflation: Most entry-level roles now expect foundational certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CEH) and documented project or lab experience. Some employers require prior internships or 1+ year of IT or security support, shrinking the “true” entry-level pool.
Automation and AI Impact: Routine threat monitoring is increasingly automated, so roles emphasize threat analysis, triage, incident response, and use of advanced security platforms. Candidates must demonstrate digital, scripting, and investigative skills.
Expansion of Hybrid/Global Competition: Remote work has expanded candidate access nationwide, and some roles are offshored or filled by visa employees, widening the pool and putting pressure on local applicants to maximize their skills and certifications.
Certification and Experience Inflation: Most entry-level roles now expect foundational certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CEH) and documented project or lab experience. Some employers require prior internships or 1+ year of IT or security support, shrinking the “true” entry-level pool.
Automation and AI Impact: Routine threat monitoring is increasingly automated, so roles emphasize threat analysis, triage, incident response, and use of advanced security platforms. Candidates must demonstrate digital, scripting, and investigative skills.
Expansion of Hybrid/Global Competition: Remote work has expanded candidate access nationwide, and some roles are offshored or filled by visa employees, widening the pool and putting pressure on local applicants to maximize their skills and certifications.
+10%
Increase in product cybersecurity jobs between 2020-2025
FRED: Federal Reserve Economic Data
+10%
Change in the overall number of job listings 2020-2025
All jobs: +10%
Banking and finance: -7%
Sales: -8%
Marketing: -19%
Software development: -34%
Salary
$99K (USD)
Entry-level cybersecurity analyst salaries typically range from $70,000–$99,000, with the top 10% exceeding $124k. Entry-level salaries are highest in San Jose, San Francisco, and Seattle (avg: 133k)
Best US Cities for Product Designers (2025): Washington, San Jose, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, WA. California and Virginia have the most job openings. California and Texas have the most rapid growth in openings.
Top Employers
Federal Government: Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, National Security Agency, CIA, FBI
Major Tech: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple
Finance: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citi
Defense Contractors: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton
Consulting: Deloitte, Accenture, EY
Best US Cities for Product Designers (2025): Washington, San Jose, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, WA. California and Virginia have the most job openings. California and Texas have the most rapid growth in openings.
Top Employers
Federal Government: Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, National Security Agency, CIA, FBI
Major Tech: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple
Finance: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citi
Defense Contractors: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton
Consulting: Deloitte, Accenture, EY
Job Satisfaction
4.0/5
Average happiness: 4.0 out of 5 stars. Cybersecurity analysts report high job satisfaction, driven by a sense of mission, meaningful work, and excellent compensation. Drawbacks include high pressure, on-call duties, stress from real-time threats, and pervasive skills inflation, but most see strong long-term growth and clear advancement paths.
Career Potential: Entry-level Cybersecurity Analysts can advance to incident response, security engineering, threat intelligence, penetration testing, SOC management, policy and compliance, and ultimately security architect or CISO roles.
What are potential career paths for Cybersecurity Analysts?
Career Potential: Entry-level Cybersecurity Analysts can advance to incident response, security engineering, threat intelligence, penetration testing, SOC management, policy and compliance, and ultimately security architect or CISO roles.
What are potential career paths for Cybersecurity Analysts?
Growth Potential
Very High
AI isn’t replacing cybersecurity analysts but is transforming the role:
- AI tools automate routine monitoring, allowing analysts to focus on advanced threat hunting, incident response, and emerging business risk.
- Human analysts interpret the intent behind attacks, recommend systems improvements, and collaborate cross-functionally.
- Analysts who master AI-enabled security tools and cloud platforms will remain highly valued as cyber threats evolve.
Cybersecurity remains a high-paying, high-growth field in 2025. While “doorway” jobs are more competitive, every organization is investing in security. Certifications, hands-on projects, and continued learning are critical to entry and career acceleration.
- AI tools automate routine monitoring, allowing analysts to focus on advanced threat hunting, incident response, and emerging business risk.
- Human analysts interpret the intent behind attacks, recommend systems improvements, and collaborate cross-functionally.
- Analysts who master AI-enabled security tools and cloud platforms will remain highly valued as cyber threats evolve.
Cybersecurity remains a high-paying, high-growth field in 2025. While “doorway” jobs are more competitive, every organization is investing in security. Certifications, hands-on projects, and continued learning are critical to entry and career acceleration.
