Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand technical disciplines on the planet. The demand has led to the creation of various jobs related to cybersecurity. Generally, a cybersecurity worker protects an organization from a cyberattack. Cybersecurity workers’ roles are to discover vulnerabilities and develop and implement measures to correct these security weaknesses and prevent attacks. A person in charge of cybersecurity should also design strategies and programs and use security technologies to manage incident response and the security infrastructure.
The growing demand for cybersecurity workers has led many people to enroll in cybersecurity courses, from which a person would learn cybersecurity threats and risks, preventive measures against cyberattacks, and corrective action should an attack happen. A degree course on cybersecurity would typically cost within the range of $4,000 to $50,000, depending on the course and school attended. Short-term courses cost from $2,000 to $5,000. Although cybersecurity has become a need worldwide, some cities provide the best cybersecurity job opportunities.
Below are the top 11 cities for cybersecurity jobs, chosen based on cybersecurity job availability, average salary, and cost of living.
- Washington, D.C.
- Berlin
- Brussels
- Ottawa
- Singapore
- Tokyo
- Vienna
- London
- Luxembourg
- New York
- Riyadh
Table of Contents
1. Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. is the best place to work as a cybersecurity professional regarding the median wage, job availability and cost of living. Many security specialists are recruited by U.S. government agencies, mostly headquartered at Washington, D.C., because of the magnitude of intelligence work and the large volume of highly sensitive information that is housed in these agencies.
The city is in the top two for cybersecurity job availability, with over 10,000 jobs available. The city has a high average annual pay of $116,155, making Washington, D.C. a great choice for people seeking work in the computer industry. General Dynamics Information Technology, Leidos, CACI and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC are the top private businesses hiring in the Washington, D.C. area. Since there are so many high-demand users (e.g., NSA, CIA, DOD and others) for cybersecurity in such a limited geographic region, there is consistent employment for a highly qualified workforce.
Information systems security officers earn between $51,280 and $143,770 a year in Washington, D.C., with a median income of $90,120. The middle 60% of information systems security officers earn between $90,120 and $106,304 per year, while the top 80% earn $143,770 per year. Some of the most in-demand jobs in Washington, D.C., include cybersecurity officer, cybersecurity analyst and network security engineer.
2. Berlin
Berlin is a hotspot for start-ups, attracting creative minds from all over the world. In Berlin, the cybersecurity scene promotes cooperation, obtaining insights, and formulating new solutions. The city is developing as a pioneer in this arena by raising awareness of cybersecurity and data governance and molding high-quality resources in software security solutions.
The average annual salary in Berlin for cybersecurity professionals is $96,273. Beta Systems Software AG, Apheris AI and 8man are just a few of the best cybersecurity companies in Berlin.
A cybersecurity analyst whose primary function is to implement security measures to secure a company’s computer network and systems may earn between $91,684 and $108,875, depending on experience. A cybersecurity engineer earns an average of $68,763 a year as an expert who builds and executes network solutions to secure a company’s system and network from cyber threats. Network engineers may make up to $75,530 per year as technology experts with the competence to develop and monitor computer networks that support all types of wireless network services.
3. Brussels
A cybersecurity professional can rely on Brussels’ varied and sophisticated cybersecurity sector. The cybersecurity industry is quickly increasing, and Brussels is earning an international reputation for its creative capabilities, thanks to tight collaboration between academics, R&D and businesses, as well as aggressive backing from regional authorities.
The average annual salary in Brussels for cybersecurity professionals is $1 million. As a cybersecurity professional, some of the greatest firms to work for are Capgemini Consulting, NVISO BE, European Cyber Security Organization (ECSO) and TRASYS International. Huawei is also establishing a Cyber Security Transparency Center in Brussels to address the deployment of new technologies, which is complicated by a lack of technical standards and laws. Multilingual candidates who speak a combination of French, Dutch, German and English will have a lot of flexibility regarding where and with whom they work.
Cybersecurity officer, cybersecurity analyst and network security engineer are Brussels’ most common job titles. Information systems security officers in Brussels earn between $45,000 and $140,000 per year, with a median pay of $96,000. The middle 60% of information security professionals earn between $88,120 and $100,000 a year, with the top 80% earning an average of $144,000.
4. Ottawa
The average annual salary for a cybersecurity expert in Ottawa is $96,200. Ottawa’s technology industry has been thriving for many years. Some of the greatest cybersecurity businesses in Ottawa are Cyberhunter Cyber Security Consultants, Ipsos inc., Herjavec Group and the Canadian Center for Cyber Security. Many financial organizations strive hard to secure their clients’ sensitive information, so cybersecurity professionals are in great demand.
Cybersecurity officers, information security analysts, ethical hackers and penetration testers are among the most in-demand careers in Ottawa. Cybersecurity Officers in Ottawa earn between $40,000 and $137,000 a year, with an average income of $93,000. The middle 60% of information security professionals earn between $84,120 and $95,000 per year, with the top 80% earning an average of $137,000.
5. Singapore
With its government unveiling the Safer Cyberspace Masterplan in October 2020, which intends to boost Singapore’s overall level of cybersecurity, the growth of cybersecurity occupations is projected to accelerate. Several measures will be implemented as part of the master plan to protect digital assets, including a Cybersecurity Trustmark for businesses that practice good cybersecurity and newly created mechanisms to strengthen Singapore’s cybersecurity defense.
The average salary for a cybersecurity expert in Singapore is $76,281. The most in-demand jobs in Singapore include cybersecurity engineer, information security analyst, ethical hacker and security architect. Some of the greatest cybersecurity firms in Singapore are EY, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Ensign InfoSecurity and ST Electronics.
Cybersecurity is required in almost every business, and as a result, a cybersecurity expert may work on various portfolios and experience various businesses. The government, professional services, banking and finance are among Singapore’s top employers of cybersecurity professionals. Singapore has the most cybersecurity positions accessible, so recent graduates and anybody seeking a new career have a better chance of employment.
6. Tokyo
Being Japan’s capital city and home to technologically savvy businesses, Tokyo has a lot to offer cybersecurity specialists. When Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) released the Emergency Proposal for Reinforcement of Cybersecurity Measures in 2018, 13 critical infrastructure sectors were identified, along with national security, quantum computing and self-driving vehicles. The report called for a systematic, holistic approach to reinforcing cybersecurity measures. The National Center for Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) is the national cybersecurity strategy’s lead agency.
The average annual income for a cybersecurity professional is $116,490. Information Systems Security Officers make anywhere from $50,000 to $143,000 per year, with a typical salary of $90,000. The middle 60% of information security professionals make between $90,120 and $100,000 per year, while the top 80% earn an average of $143,000 per year.
7. Vienna
Government agencies with headquarters in Vienna hire many cybersecurity experts based in the same city. Likewise, several cybersecurity intelligence agencies have established themselves in Vienna, offering more cybersecurity job opportunities.
Cybersecurity companies in Vienna pay an average of $99,289 annually. Some of the top firms recruiting in Vienna are Bitpanda, T-Systems Austria GesmbH, IXOLIT, KPMG and Deloitte.
Cybersecurity analysts, penetration testers, cyber security officers and network security engineers are some of the most common positions in Vienna. Cyber security officers earn between $45,000 and $138,00 per year, with a median salary of $95,000.The middle 60% of information security professionals earn between $85,120 and $95,000 a year, with the top 80% earning an average of $138,000.
8. London
Businesses in London, United Kingdom, are going digital. The need to secure these businesses’ data translates into a huge demand for cybersecurity experts in the area. However, the demand for cybersecurity specialists is significantly higher than the supply. The government, professional services and banking and finance sectors are some of London’s top employers of cybersecurity professionals.
Among the most in-demand jobs in London are a security software developer, chief information security officer, cybersecurity engineer, information security analyst, ethical hacker and security architect. Visa, KPMG, AON Corporation and Infosys are some of the best cybersecurity companies to work for in London.
London is one of the cities that offer attractive pay, with a cybersecurity expert’s average yearly pay at $102,139. The average salary for a cybersecurity Specialist is $123,423 per year. A cybersecurity Specialist’s typical income ranges from $86,889 to $153,060.
9. Luxembourg
Luxembourg has a national cybersecurity strategy that seeks to strengthen the security of digital infrastructures and develop a reliable and secure digital economy. Although the city has fewer job openings in cybersecurity than other cities, the government’s thrust on cybersecurity will mean rapid growth of the demand for cybersecurity jobs. Luxembourg is gaining a reputation for paying cybersecurity specialists the highest average income globally.
Luxembourg has the highest average annual pay, at $154,445. A cybersecurity Specialist’s typical income ranges from $104,666 to $184,377. Société Générale, BNP Paribas, Université du Luxembourg, Northern Trust Corp and EY are some of the best companies to work for as a cybersecurity specialist. Cybersecurity jobs in demand include an information security officer, cybersecurity officer, network and cybersecurity engineer and network security engineer.
10. New York
The Cyber NYC program of the NYC Economic Development Corporation aims to raise $100 million in public and private investment to create an “international cybersecurity landing pad” in New York. In addition, 10,000 cybersecurity jobs in public and private sectors are planned to be generated.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York is rated number one among the states with the highest pay for cybersecurity positions. The average yearly pay for cybersecurity analysts in New York is $112,750, more than the national average. The typical wage for a cybersecurity Analyst is $85,618 per year, with extra cash compensation ranging from $3,000 to $21,300.
11. Riyadh
The cybersecurity environment in Riyadh is focused on encouraging collaboration, gaining new insights and developing innovative solutions. The city seeks to be established as a cybersecurity leader in the Middle East by expanding cybersecurity awareness, data governance and the development of high-quality software solutions.
Some of the greatest cybersecurity firms in Riyadh are Thomas Thor Associates, Halian and Help AG. Among the most in-demand jobs in Riyadh are a security software developer, chief information security officer, cybersecurity engineer, information security analyst, ethical hacker and security architect.
Cybersecurity experts earn an average of $59,405 per year. Cybersecurity Analysts earn between $3,730 and $79,677 per year, with a median pay of $58,000. On the other hand, cybersecurity Engineers may earn within the range of $4,000 to $33,310 each year.
What Jobs can You do in the Cities that are Best for Cybersecurity?
Some of the best cybersecurity jobs a job seeker can find are cybersecurity engineer, cybersecurity analyst, network architect and others. The salary a professional gets on the job is determined by the skills of the candidate and the company’s budget. The average annual salary of a cybersecurity manager is $136,625, and of a cybersecurity lead is $133,499. Penetration testers, often known as pen testers or ethical hackers, earn an average of $80,000 to $130,000 a year.- Cybersecurity Engineer: The demand for cybersecurity engineers, considered at the intermediate level, has grown recently. These are professionals who develop and implement security measures to prevent cyberattacks.
- Cybersecurity Specialist: A person who works as a cybersecurity specialist creates security strategies and policies, executes solutions, mitigates vulnerabilities and investigates and responds to breaches.
- Cybersecurity Analyst: This is a specialist position working on the front lines of cyber defense within enterprises. Cybersecurity analysts detect, evaluate and report past and future events that may harm the network using data acquired through threat monitoring systems and other sources. An analyst spots potential and actual threats and monitors the network for security flaws.
- Network Architect: Implementing, developing and testing secure and cost-effective computer networks, such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), internet connections, intranets and other data transmission systems, sums up a network architect’s responsibilities. The network architect is in charge of updating software and hardware and planning the deployment of security patches and other defense measures to keep the network safe from vulnerabilities. A network architect looks into new network technologies to upgrade data assessment and network infrastructure.
- Cybersecurity Manager: A program security manager focuses on risk management and mitigation, while a technical security manager supervises particular systems and equipment (firewalls, pen testing, encryption and others).
- Penetration tester: Application pen testers search for security flaws in target apps to assist businesses and organizations in improving security. Operating systems, software, communications and network protocols are all necessary skills for a penetration tester.
Why are These Cities the Best for Cybersecurity Jobs?
Three factors were considered in identifying the best cities for cybersecurity jobs. These are job availability, salaries for cybersecurity professionals and the cost of living.
Cybersecurity jobs may abound in a particular city but if the salaries are below average and the cost of living in this city is high, the available jobs do not hold much appeal. The eleven cities cited as best for cybersecurity jobs balance the three factors, which means those looking for cybersecurity jobs have better chances of being hired and maintaining a decent lifestyle with their income and the city’s cost of living.
Where are the Best Cybersecurity Companies Located?
Sapphire is the best cybersecurity company worldwide, with offices in Glasgow, Scotland and Darlington, England. The company offers pen testers, ethical hackers and security consultants career opportunities. Glasgow is becoming known for the rapid growth of software development businesses. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is enforced in both places, which means it is essential for businesses in those cities to apply data security measures.
New York is the biggest business hub and houses several global financial centers. New York-based IBM is also one of the best cybersecurity companies. IBM employs security software engineers, security analysts, software developers and more to focus on enterprise security solutions.
McAfee is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, home to tech giants Advanced MicroDevices, Intel and Nvidia. McAfee has jobs for information security specialists, endpoint security engineers and product security engineers.
CyberArk is a cloud security company headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel, and a US headquarters in Massachusetts. Petah Tikva is located in Tel Aviv, where there are over 1,500 companies, mostly tech companies. People who are knowledgeable and willing to be trained in privileged access management, technology convergence, software development and software engineering have job opportunities at CyberArk.
What is the Average Salary in Cybersecurity Jobs in These Cities?
Among the cities mentioned above, Luxembourg has the highest average salary for cybersecurity professionals, at $152,034 annually, or about $3,100 per week. The average cybersecurity professional in Brussels earns $103,714 annually on average and $1,990 on average weekly. Cybersecurity companies in Tokyo pay about $116,549 on average annually and $2,240 on average weekly. Washington, D.C. has an annual average pay of $116,155 and a weekly average of $2,200 for cybersecurity professionals.
A cybersecurity professional in London earns $102,139 annually and $1,950 weekly on average. Cybersecurity companies in Vienna pay about $99,289 on average annually and $1,900 on average weekly. The average cybersecurity professional in Berlin earns $96,273 annually on average and $1,851 on average weekly. Similarly, a cybersecurity professional in Ottawa earns $96,200 annually on average and $1,840 on average weekly. Singapore is the city with the highest job openings in cybersecurity, with an average pay of $76,281 annually and $1,465 weekly. The average cybersecurity professional in Riyadh earns $59,405 annually on average and $1,140 on average weekly.
What are the Best Cities for a Cybersecurity Education?
Many schools for cybersecurity education are the best regarding academic courses, employment conversion rates, affordable fees and many more aspects. Some of the best cybersecurity school degree programs are below.
The University of Law-GISMA in Berlin, Germany, offers a degree that focuses on technology, business and politics while covering the essentials of data management and cybersecurity.
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity in Computer Science program at George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Washington, D.C., was created in response to a growing demand for national and international cybersecurity technical specialists. Graduates have access to a vast and attractive employment market with numerous openings.
The Master in Cybersecurity program at Swansea University in Swansea, United Kingdom, addresses today’s most pressing technological concerns, ranging from personal data protection and privacy to cyberterrorism, cybercrime and mobile device security.
Students can examine the security environment, experiment with network security mobile security and analyze dangers in the context of the Internet of Things at the Cyber Security Lab. Students will graduate with a conscientious and thoughtful mentality that will prepare them for a career in cybersecurity.