15 cities with the best-paying cybersecurity jobs

News August 05, 2016 at 05:00 AM
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Cyber attacks continue to dominate the headlines with the Democratic National Committee as the most recent high-profile victim.

As the hackers get bolder, companies of all sizes and in all industries are looking to improve their cybersecurity. This translates into high demand for cybersecurity professionals, according to a recent analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data by Stanford University, which projects demand to grow by 53 percent through 2018.

Related: What's your data breach response plan?

Job-search site Indeed notes that companies don't have enough IT staff with cybersecurity experience to provide the protection the companies say they need. As insurers and underwriters assess a company's risk profile, the lack of qualified personnel to manage cybersecurity could have an impact on rates, policy provisions and coverage.

In determining its list of where the best-paying cybersecurity jobs are, Indeed used the title of “information security specialist,” which includes responsibilities for design, implementation, monitoring and testing of different types of cyber defense. If you're thinking of applying for one of these jobs, be aware that employers are looking for certifications as well skills and experience.

Total cost-of-living calculations

When you add high demand with low supply, skilled and experienced cybersecurity professionals can command high salaries. But, as with most job categories, salaries vary across the United States, based on the cost of living in a particular location, among other factors. Indeed also noted that the titles of jobs can vary by industry and location as well.

And the salaries themselves don't tell the whole story. The price of rent, tax, food, transportation and education all have a big effect on take-home pay, and those costs can vary widely across the country. If you're looking for a job as an information security specialist, where will your salary go farther?

Here are the 15 cities on Indeed's list of popular tech job search destinations by the “real” value of an information security specialist's salary, adjusted for the cost of living, using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis: