Salary report · US · 2026
Cyber Security Analyst Salary
The average cyber security analyst salary is $83,384 per year in the United States in 2026. Base pay runs from $57,000 at the 10th percentile to $125,000 at the 90th, with a median of $83,000. Bonuses add $1,000–$13,000, putting total pay between roughly $53,000 and $126,000.
Definition & distribution
What is the average cyber security analyst salary?
A cyber security analyst earns an average base salary of $83,384 per year in the US as of 2026. The role defends systems by monitoring and responding to threats, and pay climbs steeply late as analysts specialize.
The 10th percentile at $57,000 is 31% below the $83,000 median, while the 90th at $125,000 is 51% above it — a wide upper tail. Late-career and specialized analysts command well above the median, especially with SIEM, detection, and risk skills.
Known limitations. This record is built on 2,514 salary profiles (last updated May 2026) — a large, reliable sample. The upper range reflects specialized and senior analysts.
Pay components
How is cyber security analyst total pay structured?
Reported total compensation for cyber security analysts has two components: base salary and a modest annual bonus.
| Component | Low | High | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $57,000 | $125,000 | Dense around the $83k median |
| Annual bonus | $1,000 | $13,000 | Up to ~10% of top-end base |
| Total pay | $53,000 | $126,000 | Base plus reported bonus |
Pay by experience
How does experience change a cyber security analyst salary?
Cyber security analyst pay keeps climbing late as analysts specialize. Entry-level sits about 15% below the role average, and late-career reaches roughly 43% above — one of the steeper late-career curves.
- 01
Entry level (<1 year): ~$70,800 total pay
About 15% below the role average, from analysts new to security operations.
- 02
Early to mid career: −5% to +19%
Pay crosses the role average as analysts take on detection, response, and risk work.
- 03
Experienced & late career: +33% to +43%
The top of the range, held by analysts specialized in SIEM, detection, and risk.
Skills
Which skills affect a cyber security analyst salary?
Reported skills split into three tiers. Security fundamentals are the baseline; detection and vulnerability skills command a premium; and risk opens the senior band.
- 01
Security fundamentals — the baseline
Cyber security, security policies, and computer security appear across profiles. They qualify you for the role.
- 02
Detection & vulnerability — the premium tier
SIEM, intrusion detection, and vulnerability assessment map to the upper range.
- 03
Risk — the promotion tier
Security risk management is what carries pay toward engineer and lead roles.
Geography
Where do cyber security analysts earn the most?
Reported profiles concentrate in metros with dense technology, finance, and government security demand.
| Metro | Market character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | Finance & enterprise | Top of range; highest cost of living |
| Washington, DC | Government & defense | Strong demand for cleared talent |
| Houston, TX | Energy & enterprise | Good pay-to-cost ratio |
| San Antonio, TX | Cybersecurity & military | Growing security hub |
| Atlanta, GA | Enterprise & fintech | Diversified demand |
Check your pay
Where does your salary fall?
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Raising your pay
How can cyber security analysts increase their salary?
Three mechanisms reliably move cyber security analyst pay, in descending order of effect:
- 01
Specialize in detection & risk
SIEM, detection, and risk skills are the clearest path to the top of the range.
- 02
Move toward security engineering
Security-engineer and lead roles are where pay continues past this title.
- 03
Earn security certifications
Recognized security certifications support moves into higher-paid roles.
FAQ
Cyber Security Analyst salary: FAQ
About $125,000 per year at the 90th percentile of base pay. With bonuses of up to $13,000, top-end total compensation reaches roughly $126,000.
About $57,000 per year at the 10th percentile of base pay. Figures this low typically reflect analysts new to security operations.
Most reliably by specializing in detection and risk, moving toward security engineering, and earning recognized certifications.
Sometimes, and they are modest. Reported annual bonuses range from about $1,000 to $13,000, bringing total pay to between roughly $53,000 and $126,000 per year.
Very. It is built on 2,514 salary profiles reported to PayScale, last updated May 2026.
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