Learn about a career as a security operations center analyst, where they work, how to qualify, the potential earnings, and the locations that pay the highest.
A security operations center analyst, or SOC analyst for short, has a crucial role in handling cybersecurity attacks. How valuable is it? The anticipated cost to global businesses from Cyber crimes will be $15.63 trillion annually by 2029 [1], forcing many companies to close their doors permanently—if SOC analysts aren’t on board to address the situation.
As a result, a SOC analyst’s salary is competitive. A SOC analyst is an integral part of the modern security team that keeps business running smoothly even when severe disruptions occur for companies that understand the value of preventing and addressing cyberattacks.
Learn more about a career as a SOC analyst, including what SOC analyst salary you can expect in the role.
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Get on the fast track to a career in cybersecurity. In this certificate program, you'll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
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Average time: 6 month(s)
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Skills you'll build:
Python Programming, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, SQL, Linux, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Packet Analyzer, Security Hardening, Network Security, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Network Architecture, Cloud Networks, escalation, resume and portfolio preparation, stakeholder communication, Job preparedness, integrity and discretion, Cybersecurity, Information Security (INFOSEC), Ethics in cybersecurity, NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), Historical Attacks, Computer Programming, Coding, PEP 8 style guide, NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), Security Audits, Incident Response Playbooks, Authentication, vulnerability assessment, Cryptography, asset classification, threat analysis, Command line interface (CLI), Bash
A SOC analyst stands for security operations center analyst, a cybersecurity professional who works in a team to protect enterprise-scale organizations from security risks.
A SOC analyst is a tech professional responsible for identifying and responding to cyber-related attacks on business computer systems and servers. They create and execute protocols for handling threats and must implement the changes necessary to prevent such incidents.
This work includes:
Analyzing the vulnerability of a company’s infrastructure and threat tolerance
Staying current with emerging trends regarding cybersecurity
Investigating and documenting potential threats and information security issues
Determining the safety of new software and hardware to prevent unnecessary risk
Crafting formal disaster recovery plans, preferably in advance of concerns
Especially in larger companies and global corporations, SOC analysts are part of a team that includes cybersecurity engineers, security managers, and a chief information security officer. A SOC analyst works to search out potential concerns and, with proper planning, eradicate them before they become costly. This planning includes:
Implementing security tools like firewalls, data loss prevention tools, and traffic inspection solutions
Utilizing security monitoring tools to investigate suspicious activity
Working to reduce downtime and keep businesses operating smoothly
Performing system audits to patch levels and access control data
It’s a complex job but an important one that many companies consider crucial to their operations.
professional certificate
Get on the fast track to a career in cybersecurity. In this certificate program, you'll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
(39,240 ratings)
842,561 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Python Programming, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, SQL, Linux, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Packet Analyzer, Security Hardening, Network Security, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Network Architecture, Cloud Networks, escalation, resume and portfolio preparation, stakeholder communication, Job preparedness, integrity and discretion, Cybersecurity, Information Security (INFOSEC), Ethics in cybersecurity, NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), Historical Attacks, Computer Programming, Coding, PEP 8 style guide, NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), Security Audits, Incident Response Playbooks, Authentication, vulnerability assessment, Cryptography, asset classification, threat analysis, Command line interface (CLI), Bash
Information security analysts work in-house at large, global corporations, as well as:
Computer systems design firms
Company management firms
Credit intermediation firms
Information services companies
Scientific and technical consulting services
SOC analysts also work for monetary authorities like central banks, data processing and hosting companies, and scientific research firms. They also work in the motion picture industry, financial investment firms, waste management and remediation companies, and companies specializing in computer manufacturing.
A SOC analyst earns an average total pay of $134,638 [2]. According to Glassdoor, this consists of the average base pay of $95,433 a year with $39,205 additional pay that could include bonuses and profit sharing.
The earning potential can depend on many factors, including location, company, experience, training, and job title. Education and certifications may also influence salary.
Employers typically expect SOC analysts to earn a bachelor’s degree or associate degree in computer science or computer engineering and have additional skills from practical experience in information technology or networking roles.
These skills include:
Excellent communication skills
Mastery of Linux, Windows, IDS, SIEM, CISSP, and Splunk
In-depth understanding of information security
Ability to defend networks by securing traffic and identifying suspicious activity
Knowledge of perpetration testing for systems, networks, and applications to determine the vulnerable status
Prevent and limit the impact of security breaches
Collect, analyze, and report security data for computer forensics
Read and identify parameters of software programs, as well as reverse-engineer malware.
Professionals in the information technology field may learn many of these skills through practical experience and by completing additional training and certification programs.
Employers often expect SOC analysts to complete specific certification programs to ensure they can address complex issues during crises. These certification programs include:
Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker
EC-Council Certified SOC Analyst (CSA)
An excellent place to start this training is by taking In The Trenches: Security Operations Center, a course offered by the EC-Council on Coursera that provides a foundation on enterprise security structure, modern threat, and attacker TTPs, the basics of incident response, and a basic primer to Security Onion.
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Cyber-attacks, breaches, and incidents continue to grow. The sophistication and complexity of these attacks continue to evolve. More than ever organizations ...
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Average time: 11 hour(s)
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Cyberattacks, Leadership and Management, Security Engineering
Salaries for SOC analysts can vary dramatically due to many factors, including location, employment status, job title, and the experience gained through professional development.
Due to cost of living variability and industry hubs, certain areas of the country offer higher salaries for SOC analysts. The highest-paying states and their average annual salaries are [3]:
Washington: $148,090
Iowa: $143,960
New York: $140,770
California: $140,730
New Hampshire: $139,050
Security operations centers typically have three or four tiers. The higher the tier, the greater the salary—and the more responsibility you will have.
A Tier 1 support security analyst looks into daily security, information, and event management (SIEM) alerts and determines the urgency of a crisis. They oversee and configure the security monitoring tools. A Tier 2 support security analyst must address actual security breaches. They will use the information the Tier 1 professional gave to pinpoint the systems impacted by the attack and dig in to find the perpetrator while creating a strategy for containment and recovery.
A Tier 3 security analyst has even more experience than those assigned to Tier 2 and must handle critical incidents. This work involves penetration testing and isolating areas of weakness. They review alerts and security data to find the security gaps within the network. The fourth tier is known as an Incident Response Manager, and this professional manages the actions during a crisis. They communicate with C-level professionals and, sometimes, external stakeholders of an organization.
Just like the different tiers, job titles will also determine the salary of a SOC analyst. An information security analyst has about one to three years of experience and earns an average total pay of $140,663 [4].
Senior information security analysts may have the same experience level but can earn an annual average salary of $154,002 [5]. Finally, a principal security analyst with more than seven years of experience earns an average yearly income of $207,229 [6].
Information technology professionals are life-long learners, as the industry demands that they constantly stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices. Cybersecurity can change dramatically in terms of threats and solutions to common problems.
As the expense of cybersecurity breaches rises in America, many opportunities for professionals to continue their professional development could arise while working on a security team.
Online courses can provide a flexible opportunity to add more tools to counter an increasingly complex issue. Reading blogs and following local media are also business best practices for SOC analysis work.
With a career as a SOC analyst, you can help organizations protect themselves from security threats and cyberattacks.
Start building job-ready skills in cybersecurity with the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera. Get hands-on experience with industry tools and examine real-world case studies, all at your own pace. Upon completion, you’ll have a certificate for your resume and be prepared to explore job titles like security analyst, SOC (security operations center) analyst, and more.
professional certificate
Get on the fast track to a career in cybersecurity. In this certificate program, you'll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
(39,240 ratings)
842,561 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Python Programming, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, SQL, Linux, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Packet Analyzer, Security Hardening, Network Security, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Network Architecture, Cloud Networks, escalation, resume and portfolio preparation, stakeholder communication, Job preparedness, integrity and discretion, Cybersecurity, Information Security (INFOSEC), Ethics in cybersecurity, NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), Historical Attacks, Computer Programming, Coding, PEP 8 style guide, NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), Security Audits, Incident Response Playbooks, Authentication, vulnerability assessment, Cryptography, asset classification, threat analysis, Command line interface (CLI), Bash
Statista. "Estimated cost of cybercrime worldwide 2018-2029 https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1280009/cost-cybercrime-worldwide.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Glassdoor.com. “SOC Analyst Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/soc-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,11.htm.”Accessed February 11, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Information Security Analysts, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151212.htm.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Salary: Information Security Analyst , https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/information-security-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm..” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Salary: Senior SOC Analyst in the United States, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-soc-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Salary: Principal Security Analyst Salary in the United States, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/principal-security-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
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