Wondering which cybersecurity jobs pay the most in 2025? With average data breach costs nearing $4.88 million and over 4.8 million cybersecurity roles sitting vacant worldwide, the industry is desperate for skilled talent. The top-paying cybersecurity jobs in 2025 not only offer six-figure salaries but also exciting challenges and high-impact work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity employment is expected to grow 33% by 2033—much faster than most other fields. From threat hunters to DevSecOps engineers, these roles are critical in the fight against AI-driven threats and digital vulnerabilities.

Why Cybersecurity Careers Are Booming

Cybersecurity is no longer a niche—it’s foundational. Businesses are adopting cloud platforms at record speed, cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to scale attacks, and regulatory compliance demands are tighter than ever. The result? A perfect storm creating “zero unemployment” for cybersecurity professionals. Organizations know that understaffed security teams lead directly to breaches—and they’re willing to pay top dollar to fill the gap.

Here are 20 cybersecurity jobs that top the salary charts in 2025, according to the SANS Institute. We’ve broken them down with average pay and what each role actually involves, so you can find the best fit.

1. Threat Hunter – $126,000
Proactively searches systems for undetected cyber threats using behavior analysis and threat intelligence. Builds custom detection rules and shares findings.

2. Red Teamer – $128,882
Performs advanced, real-world cyberattack simulations to test a company’s defenses and response strategies. A key player in offensive security.

3. Digital Forensics Analyst
Investigates cybercrimes by recovering deleted files, tracing user activity, and preparing digital evidence for legal cases.

4. Purple Teamer – $120,000
Connects red and blue teams to ensure offensive insights improve defensive capabilities. Organizes collaborative simulations and strengthens detection.

5. Malware Analyst – $86,474
Dissects malware in safe environments to understand behavior, develop signatures, and share intelligence with the cybersecurity community.

6. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) – $200,000–$400,000
Leads company-wide cybersecurity strategy. Advises boards, manages incidents, and ensures compliance with security regulations.

7. Blue Teamer (Cyber Defense Analyst) – $99,157
Monitors systems around the clock, identifies suspicious patterns, and helps defend against ongoing threats in real-time.

8. Security Architect – $149,344
Designs enterprise-wide security infrastructure. Balances protection with usability while ensuring long-term resilience and compliance.

9. Cyber Defense Incident Responder – $127,177
Leads containment during attacks, coordinates recovery efforts, and analyzes post-incident findings to prevent future breaches.

10. Cybersecurity Analyst – $122,890
Implements firewalls, IDS/IPS systems, and encryption. Strengthens organizational security posture across cloud and hybrid environments.

11. OSINT Investigator – $85,000
Gathers publicly available intelligence to analyze threat actors, attack vectors, and infrastructure. Supports investigations with actionable insights.

12. Technical Director – $165,000
Defines security strategies, leads teams, and translates technical risks into business terms. A bridge between leadership and IT.

13. Cloud Security Analyst – $152,773
Secures multi-cloud environments by managing access, encrypting data, and maintaining compliance with cloud-native security tools.

14. SOC Analyst – $99,157
Works within a Security Operations Center to monitor SIEMs, assess alerts, and escalate real threats to incident response teams.

15. Security Awareness Officer – $75,000
Builds a culture of security through engaging training, phishing simulations, and awareness campaigns that reduce human risk.

16. Vulnerability Researcher & Exploit Developer – $110,000
Discovers zero-day flaws, creates proof-of-concept exploits, and works with vendors to patch vulnerabilities before they’re abused.

17. Application Penetration Tester – $119,895
Tests web and mobile apps for security flaws. Provides developers with actionable remediation advice to prevent real-world exploits.

18. ICS/OT Security Consultant – $135,000
Secures industrial systems like SCADA and PLCs. Balances operational continuity with strong cyber defenses in critical infrastructure.

19. DevSecOps Engineer – $101,752
Automates security testing in CI/CD pipelines. Works with dev teams to embed security early in the software development lifecycle.

20. Media Exploitation Analyst – $80,000
Analyzes digital storage devices to extract critical evidence during cybercrime investigations. Often supports law enforcement and legal teams.

Ready To Start Your Cybersecurity Career?

These high-paying cybersecurity roles show just how urgently skilled professionals are needed in today’s digital landscape. Whether you’re interested in ethical hacking, forensic analysis, or cloud defense, there’s a lucrative, purpose-driven career waiting for you. Explore certifications, take a cybersecurity fundamentals course, or connect with industry mentors to take your first step.

Know someone who should see this list? Share it with a future cyber defender and help close the talent gap.