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Careers›Roles›Cyber Security Specialist
Mid-Level

Cyber Security Specialist

You're the organization's go-to for security across the board: assessing risks, hardening systems, responding to incidents, and advising whoever needs it. The generalist who covers security from many angles.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
I
R
E
S
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Cyber Security Specialists
Professional Services · 42%Financial Services · 15%Technology & Information · 9%Manufacturing · 5%Administrative Services · 5%Government · 3%
Job markets for Cyber Security Specialists
Employment concentration · ~245 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Technology
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Cyber Security Specialist

Days tend to span a bit of everything: running vulnerability scans, tightening configurations, investigating issues, advising colleagues, and keeping up with threats, often as the one security person wearing many hats — the work mixes hands-on technical tasks with a lot of judgment calls. The craft is in knowing enough across many areas to spot what matters and triage what doesn't.

How the role feels depends heavily on the organization. At a small company, you may own security single-handedly, stretched thin; at a larger one, you're part of a specialized team. Threats and tools evolve faster than anyone keeps up with, the work can swing from routine to urgent, and selling security to people who see it as friction is part of the job. The breadth is real.

Those who thrive here tend to be broadly curious, adaptable, and comfortable never fully mastering it all — generalists who like covering a lot of ground. If you want deep specialization or a narrow, predictable scope, the breadth may feel scattered. But for those who like being the trusted answer when something looks wrong, the variety tends to keep it interesting.

What people in this role value
Working ConditionsAbove avg
SupportAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
AchievementModerate
RecognitionModerate
RelationshipsModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$112K+9%
Professional Services$101K-2%
Energy & Utilities$88K-15%
Wholesale & Distribution$85K-17%
Government$80K-22%
Compared to Technology average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Cyber Security Specialists (SOC 15-1212.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Technology →
Cyber Security SpecialistSecurity EngineerCloud Security EngineerCyber Security EngineerAutomotive Security EngineerInformation Security AuditorInformation Security EngineerInformation Security Management EngineerInformation Security Loss Prevention EngineerSecurity SpecialistSecurity AnalystSecurity ConsultantSecurity AuditorSecurity Control AssessorSystems AnalystAI Security Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Security Specialist)Technology AnalystIT Auditor (Information Technology Auditor)Cloud Security ArchitectIncident Response AnalystInformation Security AnalystInformation Technology Security Analyst (IT Security Analyst)Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst)Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)Blue Team Member+1 more
Exploring the Cyber Security Specialist career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$70K–$186K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
179K
U.S. Employment
+28.5%
10yr Growth
16K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$80K$77K$74K$71K$68K201920202021202220232024$68K$80K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingWritingSystems AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringActive Learning
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
15-1212.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midSecurity Engineer$96KmidCloud Security Engineer$117KmidCyber Security Engineer$109KmidAutomotive Security Engineer$109KmidInformation Security Auditor$109KmidInformation Security Engineer$109K
View all Technology roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.