Looking for a career change? Cybersecurity might be the way to go. According to Ladders, the US has just under half a million available cybersecurity jobs sprinkled throughout the country. If you think you’re up for the challenge, there’s likely an opportunity waiting for you.
If you tune into the news lately, you’ll know that cyberattacks are on the rise. That half a million jobs is likely only going to rise to meet the country’s security needs in a wide variety of areas. And these are good-paying jobs. Take “pen testers,” for example — the entry-level position offers $60,000–$90,000 on average, according to Michelle Moore, University of San Diego instructor of cybersecurity operations.
The potential for pay to increase is real, as well. Think about the ransoms some companies are feeling forced to cough up in order to get their data back — these payouts are often in the hundreds of thousands to millions, which puts a dent in any organizations budget. It’s a lot cheaper to pay people to beef up cybersecurity in order to avoid ransomware attacks in the first place.
You don’t need to lock yourself into a big move, either. Many of these open jobs are offering remote positions. If COVID turned you into a work-from-home fan, cybersecurity won’t necessarily change that. However, not all of these opportunities are remote. The top states for cybersecurity are Texas, Florida, Virginia, and California. You’ll have an advantage if you already live in one of those states, or if you’re open to a new adventure.
