Information Security Analysts: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Computer and Mathematical · SOC 15-1212 · O*NET 15-1212.00
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Information Security Analysts fall under the Computer and Mathematical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Information Security Analysts earn a median salary of $124,910 per year, ranking in the top 6% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +28.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What parents should know about information security analysts right now
Information security analysts plan and carry out the measures that protect an organization's computer networks and data from cyberattacks, ransomware, insider threats, and now AI-driven phishing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment to grow 29 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 16,000 openings each year over the decade. The median annual wage was $124,910 in May 2024; the lowest 10 percent earned about $69,660 and the highest 10 percent more than $186,420. Most analysts hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, programming, or a related field, plus industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH; some employers prefer an MBA in information systems for senior or management-track roles. No state license is required. The trend most relevant to teens is the persistent global cybersecurity skills gap, estimated by ISC2 at roughly 4.8 million unfilled positions, combined with new categories of work created by AI: prompt-injection defense, securing large language model deployments, and zero-trust architecture. Cloud security and AI-related skills sit at the top of hiring manager wish lists. Parents should know the field is meritocratic, with portfolios on platforms such as TryHackMe and HackTheBox often weighing as heavily as a degree. Teens who like puzzles, ethical hacking challenges, and the cat-and-mouse element of security can start in high school with Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, free SANS Cyber Aces lessons, and a Raspberry Pi home lab.
What do information security analysts earn?
The median annual wage for information security analysts is $124,910. That puts information security analysts at #47 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $69,660 |
| 25th percentile | $92,160 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $124,910 |
| 75th percentile | $159,600 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $186,420 |
| Median hourly wage | $60.05/hr |
Is information security analysts a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for information security analysts is +28.5%, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 182K positions in 2024 to 234K in 2034, a net change of 52K. Very fast growth indicates significant talent shortages and unusually strong hiring momentum — often the most resilient outlook a teenager can plan toward.
What do information security analysts do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working information security analysts, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- 2.Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- 3.Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
- 4.Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests.
- 5.Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.
- 6.Monitor use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files.
- 7.Coordinate implementation of computer system plan with establishment personnel and outside vendors.
- 8.Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
Top skills for information security analysts
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become information security analyst?
The standard path into information security analysts begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about information security analysts
What is the median salary for information security analysts?
The median annual salary for information security analysts is $124,910 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is information security analysts a growing career?
BLS projects +28.5% growth for information security analysts from 2024 through 2034, which is very fast growth projected to grow far faster than the US average.
What education does my child need to become information security analyst?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to information security analysts?
Related occupations within the Computer and Mathematical category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.