Information Security Analysts

SOC: 15-1212 O*NET: 15-1212.00
Median Salary
$124,910
per year
Job Growth
🚀 28.5%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
16
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

What does a Information Security Analysts do?

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$69,660
10th percentile
Early Career
$92,160
25th percentile
Median
$124,910
50th percentile
Experienced
$159,600
75th percentile
Top Earners
$186,420
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$69,660
25th
$92,160
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$124,910
Mean: $127,730
75th
$159,600
90th
$186,420
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $116,760 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $92,160 and $159,600
  • Salary spread is 54.0% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 179,430 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:182,800

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services42.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services42.1%
Computer Systems Design and Related Services23.3%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+28.5%
Annual Openings:16,000

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)182,800
Current
2034 (Projected)234,900
+28.5%
+52,100
Employment Change
+28.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Much faster than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Information Security Analysts professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Virginia
18,670 jobs$132,4603.95x
California
15,800 jobs$140,6600.75x
Texas
14,730 jobs$124,9700.91x
Florida
13,770 jobs$105,9901.21x
New York
8,860 jobs$131,1000.80x
Maryland
8,770 jobs$140,4802.74x
North Carolina
6,850 jobs$121,0701.20x
Washington
6,830 jobs$142,9201.66x
Georgia
6,480 jobs$124,2701.15x
Colorado
5,840 jobs$130,5701.74x
Massachusetts
5,780 jobs$127,6101.36x
Ohio
5,070 jobs$107,5700.79x
New Jersey
4,730 jobs$135,3900.96x
Illinois
4,560 jobs$114,3000.65x
Pennsylvania
4,420 jobs$110,2300.63x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Much faster than average growth expected
  • High current market demand

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Systems Analysis
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%

Skills Overview

Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Systems Analysis

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Active Learning

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Curators100%
5 shared skills
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists100%
5 shared skills
Search Marketing Strategists100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
  • Writing
  • Monitoring
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Speaking

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Information Security Analysts

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

SAS

🔥 Hot Tech

The MathWorks MATLAB

🔥 Hot Tech

Docker

🔥 Hot Tech

GitHub

🔥 Hot Tech

Red Hat OpenShift

🔥 Hot Tech

Apache Spark

🔥 Hot Tech

Tableau

🔥 Hot Tech

Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation

🔥 Hot Tech

Splunk Enterprise

🔥 Hot Tech

Chef

🔥 Hot Tech

Puppet

🔥 Hot Tech

Atlassian JIRA

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Docker
GitHub
Red Hat OpenShift
Apache Spark
Tableau
Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
Splunk Enterprise
Chef
Puppet
Atlassian JIRA

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (1)Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (7)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1

Train users and promote security awareness to ensure system security and to improve server and network efficiency.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Training & Development100% perform
2

Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Planning & Development97% perform
3

Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Coordinate implementation of computer system plan with establishment personnel and outside vendors.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Planning & Development85% perform
7

Monitor use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform
9

Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
  • 64% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Information Security Analysts

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Information Security Analysts professionals typically have a CIR Holland code and highly value working conditions

CConventional
IInvestigative
RRealistic

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Information Security Analysts

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.55

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.53

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.53

Analytical Thinking

Very Important

Analytical Thinking

Importance Level4.44

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.28

Adaptability/Flexibility

Very Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.22

Complete Work Styles Profile

Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Self-Control
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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