Your Cybersecurity Salary Guide

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Cybersecurity is a growing field. Learn what you can expect to earn as a cybersecurity professional.

[Featured image] A cybersecurity analyst consults with a colleague while pointing at a computer monitor.

Cybersecurity professionals ensure that an organization’s data, devices, and networks are safe from cyberattacks and cybercriminals. As data and digital technologies become integral to the daily operations of businesses worldwide, so does the importance of cybersecurity professionals capable of ensuring their protection.

Cybersecurity is a growing field worldwide and here in Canada. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security projects continued demand for cybersecurity professionals as cyber threats mount nationwide [1].

In many cases, that high demand translates to higher-than-average wages. Learn more about what you can expect from five common cybersecurity jobs and factors that can impact how much you’ll earn. Then, discover tips to improve your earning power and explore suggested courses to help you gain job-relevant skills today.

Did you know that nearly every industry in Canada has seen an increase in AI-related job postings?

Learn to apply AI in your field productively and responsibly by enrolling in Google’s Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, recently updated to include practical AI training.

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Cybersecurity jobs salary

Typically, cybersecurity jobs pay a higher-than-average salary. According to Statistics Canada, the average hourly wage across all provinces and industries was $33.55 CAD in 2023 [2]. By contrast, systems security analysts earned a median hourly wage of $47.18 CAD[3].

As with other career paths, the amount you can expect to earn will vary depending on your role. At a glance, check out the base pay you can expect to make when working in five common cybersecurity jobs, according to Glassdoor:

  • Cybersecurity analyst: $75,071 CAD [4]

  • Cybersecurity engineer: $95,035 CAD [5]

  • Information security analyst: $70,580 CAD [6]

  • Penetration tester: $88,247 CAD [7]

  • IT specialist: $66,395 CAD [8]

Your pay may also vary depending on other factors, such as where you work, previous work experience, and educational degrees.

Cybersecurity entry-level salary

Entry-level positions can be found throughout the cybersecurity field. While you may be able to land some of the above jobs without any prior work experience, some employers might prefer applicants with some previous experience. If you’re just starting out, consider expanding your search to include roles such as information security specialist or IT auditor.

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Experience 

One of the most common factors impacting how much you can expect to earn from a cybersecurity job (or any job) is your previous work experience. Typically, the more experience you have in a role, the more you can expect employers to pay you to perform that job. 

For example, according to Glassdoor, an entry-level cybersecurity analyst earns an average base salary of $65,634 CAD. With seven to nine years of experience, that bumps up to $88,842 CAD [4].

Location

Where you work can have a big impact on how much you earn. Typically, individuals working in locations with a higher cost of living, such as densely populated areas, will make more than those who work in places with a lower cost of living. For example, a cybersecurity analyst working in Alberta earns a median salary of $106,662 annually, while someone in British Columbia makes $94,994 annually, according to Job Bank Canada [9].

Tips to improve your salary as a cybersecurity professional

Your earning potential isn’t set in stone. You can take many proactive steps to increase your overall salary range, including the following: 

1. Build your skills. 

The more expansive your skill set, the more likely an employer will be willing to pay you more. Consider taking online courses, earning a Professional Certificate, or attending training programs to expand your technical skills, such as working with different operating systems or cloud computing. You can also develop workplace skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. 

2. Consider certification. 

Certification may help you improve your earning potential. Some common cybersecurity certifications include CompTIA Security+ certification, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, and GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) certification. 

3. Think about a degree. 

Many cybersecurity positions require applicants to possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as cybersecurity, computer science, or engineering. While you only sometimes need a degree to become a cybersecurity professional, in some cases, you may find that your lack of degree is holding you back from either being hired or promoted to a more senior position. If so, consider obtaining a degree to improve your earning potential and desirability. 

Boost your cybersecurity salary by expanding your job-relevant skill set. 

As a cybersecurity professional, you must stay up-to-date on the latest technological and security developments. Learn new skills or hone your existing job skills on Coursera today. 

When you earn the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera, you’ll learn how to protect networks, devices, people, and data from unauthorized access and cyberattacks, identify common cybersecurity risks, and gain hands-on experience with Python, Linux, and SQL.

Article sources

1

Government of Canada. “Cyber security career guide, https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/cyber-security-career-guide.” Accessed January 29, 2025.

Updated on
Written by:
Coursera Staff

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