Cybersecurity is a fresh and rapidly evolving field. A career started today has no limits. When switching careers to cybersecurity or starting fresh, you need to understand the different career pathways. Match career tracks to your interests, skills, and goals to get the right training, gain knowledge, and build a professional network.

At CyberWarrior Academy we want to help you understand the options you have in the field. For those entering the field, there are typically three common entry-level jobs in cybersecurity, their daily tasks, estimated salaries, the skills needed to be successful, and which states have the most job openings.  

Most Common Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs 

Junior Penetration Tester

Average salary in the US: $67,550 

Also known as a “white hat hacker” or a “good hacker”, the goal of this role is to help improve the security of a computer network. A penetration tester is constantly trying to defeat their company’s security control to test how effective their defense systems are and find out their weak spots.

Some of the most common tasks performed by this role are:  

1. Conduct IT/Cybersecurity assessments and penetration tests.
2. Document findings for management and technical staff and recommend actions to mitigate the risks found.
3. Search for vulnerabilities in network devices, applications, and operating systems.

As a Penetration Tester, you must master skills that enhance your performance and results. You should know exploits and vulnerabilities, understand coding, and master the operating systems you’ll use. Networking protocols like TCP/IP, UDP, ARP, DNS, and DHCP are also key.

For soft skills, you should love learning, excel at teamwork, and communicate well with non-technical people. Strong writing skills are essential for creating clear reports and recommendations.  You will also need strong customer interfacing skills.

If you are on the lookout for jobs in this area, you might want to consider the top-paying cities: Washington DC, Seattle WA, Chicago IL, and Atlanta GA.

Information Security Analyst 

Average salary in the US: $59,668 

A security analyst identifies network weaknesses, patches issues, and prevents future incidents. A person in this role helps their organization to have better systems to protect their customer’s data, their assets, and their reputation.

The most common tasks you could perform when working as entry-level information security analyst handles are: 

1. To document, prioritize, and analyze security threats and incidents.
2. Review data daily to identify, report, and remediate any possible vulnerability.
3. Configure security tools and software.
4. To be the link between IT and end users to guarantee the use of best practices and minimize disruptions.

Certain skills can ease the work of a security analyst. You’ll need experience with different systems, scripts, and networks. You’ll also need to know how to block cyberattacks and work with any operating system.

On the soft skills side, a great candidate needs critical thinking, teamwork skills, strong communication, and a desire for constant learning.

When considering this job make sure you take a look at options in the cities that offer the top-paying salaries: Washington DC, New York NY, Dallas TX, Boston MA, and Atlanta GA.

Network and Computer System Administrator 

Average salary in the US: $50,593

This role involves maintaining an organization’s technological systems. He/she will be in charge of installing, configuring, and maintaining the operating system in place, any applications, and any other system, as well as troubleshooting problems that could happen with hardware and software.  

Regularly, a network and computer system admin, will: 

1. Supervise the correct functioning of networks and computers in the organization they work.
2. Organize, install, and support an organization’s computer system.
3. Support data communication systems like LANs, WLANs, intranets, and network segments.
4. Quickly arrange or repair hardware in case of a failure.
5. Evaluate and optimize network or systems performance.
6. Train users in best practices for the use of hardware and software.

Anyone looking to get a job as a system administrator should be flexible in their routine, work schedule, and way of work must be able to manage multiple tasks at the same time, have amazing troubleshooting skills, as well as to be able to communicate (verbal and written) technical matters to non-technical people.

San Jose CA, Baltimore MD, San Francisco CA, and Bridgeport are the top cities for this role.

And remember, your career pathway will be determined by every action, certification, and training you get.  

Ready to Start Your Cybersecurity Career?

When looking for a cybersecurity job, it’s important to choose a company that aligns with your desired work environment, industry interests, advancement opportunities, and professional development prospects.

At CyberWarrior, we understand the unique challenges of navigating the cybersecurity job market. That’s why our platform is designed to help you master the essential skills and stand out in this competitive field.

We provide career-building tools, such as resume assistance and LinkedIn profile optimization, to boost your professional presence in the cybersecurity industry.

Don’t miss the chance to enhance your cybersecurity skills and build your career. Sign up for FREE and join a community dedicated to empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals!