#United States #Cybersecurity #Boston #IANS Research #Artico Search

The 2025 Cybersecurity Staff Compensation Benchmark Report

On February 20, 2025, IANS Research and Artico Search published the 2025 Cybersecurity Staff Compensation Benchmark Report. This comprehensive document presents vital information regarding cybersecurity staff compensation, job satisfaction, and hiring dynamics in the industry.

As organizations expand the responsibilities of their cybersecurity teams, a notable trend has emerged: cybersecurity professionals are frequently tasked with multiple roles across various security domains. The findings indicate that 61% of cybersecurity personnel devote at least 30% of their time to a mix of functions, including Security Operations (SecOps), Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), and Application Security (AppSec). This phenomenon exemplifies the rising demand for professionals who can flourish in cross-functional roles, often motivated by organizational constraints and efficiency drives.

Despite the competitive nature of talent acquisition in the cybersecurity field, organizations that display significant compensation discrepancies, provide limited career growth opportunities, and enforce strict return-to-office mandates are bound to confront challenges in both hiring and retention. As the roles within cybersecurity evolve and broaden, companies that offer attractive salaries, emphasize leadership development, and maintain flexible work arrangements will likely fare better in attracting top talent.

Nick Kakolowski, Sr. Research Director at IANS Research, highlights, "This year’s data underscores a pressing reality—cybersecurity professionals often perceive themselves as trapped in demanding roles devoid of substantial career advancement prospects. With over 60% of these professionals contemplating a job change, the challenge for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) extends beyond mere compensation; it encompasses creating clear opportunities for professional progression. In a climate where staff are mandated to adopt multiple responsibilities, those with visible pathways to leadership and specialization are more inclined to remain engaged."

Key Findings of the Report

1. Competitive Salaries: Cybersecurity salaries continue to trend upward, with security architects and engineers earning average cash compensations of $206,000 and $191,000 per year, respectively.
2. IT Background Dominance: A significant majority, over 70% of security engineers and more than 50% of security analysts and architects, attribute their success in securing roles to their IT backgrounds.
3. Regional Pay Discrepancies: Salaries in the U.S. West region are the highest in the nation, while the Southeast and Central regions report lower figures. The annual compensation gap between the highest and lowest regions stands at an astonishing $61,000, with Canada consistently trailing behind all U.S. regions.
4. Specialized Skills Command Premiums: Cybersecurity professionals possessing specialized skills in cloud security, application security, and threat intelligence substantially enhance their earning potential, indicating the growing value of expertise.
5. Low Employee Satisfaction: Only about a third of cybersecurity professionals would recommend their employer. This discontent aligns with perceptions of inadequate career growth opportunities, as less than 40% of respondents express satisfaction regarding their advancement and over 45% express frustration with slow career progression. While compensation is indeed significant, prospects for skill development and internal advancement carry greater weight in retention.

Steve Martano, a partner at Artico Search and an IANS Faculty member, notes that companies are best equipped to secure top cybersecurity talent when they offer competitive pay alongside clear opportunities for growth. He emphasizes, "CISOs who cultivate growth pathways for high-performing team members through leadership training, mentorship, and skills development exhibit a much higher capability to retain and attract leading security professionals."

The 2025 Cybersecurity Staff Compensation Benchmark Summary Report is available for download. It outlines essential salary trends, job satisfaction insights, and actionable recommendations for CISOs aiming to bolster their recruitment and retention strategies.

Survey Methodology

This report is based on data collected from the Cybersecurity Staff Compensation and Career Survey, which was conducted from June to December 2024, incorporating responses from more than 500 cybersecurity professionals representing diverse industries, company sizes, and organizational structures across the U.S. and Canada.

About the Organizations

Founded in 2021, Artico Search excels in recruiting top-tier executives for security sectors within various enterprises, emphasizing a dedicated focus on identifying senior information security professionals, including CISOs. Meanwhile, IANS Research provides critical insights and guidance empowering security leaders to navigate today’s multifaceted challenges in cybersecurity. More information can be found at www.iansresearch.com.