Table of Contents
Career Overview Career Paths Certifications Roadmap Essential Skills Salary Guide Getting StartedCareer Overview
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields with over 3.5 million unfilled positions globally. Demand far exceeds supply, creating excellent opportunities for newcomers.
Industry Stats
- 0% unemployment rate in cybersecurity
- Average salary $120,000+ in the US
- 35% job growth expected through 2031
Career Paths
Security Analyst / SOC Analyst
Entry-level. Monitor security tools, triage alerts, and respond to incidents.
Salary: $60,000 - $90,000
Penetration Tester
Ethical hacker. Find vulnerabilities before attackers do.
Salary: $90,000 - $150,000
Security Engineer
Design and build security solutions. DevSecOps, cloud security.
Salary: $120,000 - $180,000
Security Architect / CISO
Leadership. Design security strategy and programs.
Salary: $180,000 - $400,000+
Certifications Roadmap
Entry Level
- CompTIA Security+: Foundational, vendor-neutral
- CompTIA Network+: Networking fundamentals
- Google Cybersecurity Certificate: Entry point
Intermediate
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker): Offensive security
- CySA+ (CompTIA): Blue team / analyst
- SSCP (ISC2): Security administration
Advanced
- CISSP: Gold standard for management
- OSCP: Hands-on penetration testing
- CISM: Security management
- GIAC (SANS): Specialized certifications
Essential Skills
| Technical Skills | Soft Skills |
|---|---|
| Networking (TCP/IP, DNS) | Problem-solving |
| Operating Systems (Windows, Linux) | Communication |
| Scripting (Python, Bash) | Attention to detail |
| Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) | Continuous learning |
| Security tools (SIEM, IDS) | Teamwork |
Salary Guide (US)
| Role | Entry | Mid | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | $60K | $80K | $100K |
| Pentester | $80K | $120K | $160K |
| Security Engineer | $100K | $140K | $180K |
| Security Architect | $140K | $180K | $220K+ |
Getting Started
- Learn networking fundamentals
- Set up a home lab (VMs, practice environments)
- Get Security+ certification
- Practice on CTF platforms (TryHackMe, HackTheBox)
- Build a portfolio / blog
- Network and apply for entry-level positions
Last updated: December 2024