Campus Staff

Oct 20, 2026

Cybersecurity Jobs and Salary Guide

Information Technology

Career and salary information: Career paths, salary figures, and employment projections are provided for general information and do not represent outcomes for Campus graduates. Occupational medians and provider averages are not starting salaries. Actual pay and job opportunities vary by location, employer, experience, education, certifications, and market conditions. Some roles require additional education, credentials, or experience beyond an associate degree. Completing a Campus program does not guarantee employment, a particular salary, or career advancement.

If you’re exploring the world of cybersecurity and wondering what you can do with an associate’s degree in cybersecurity, there are many entry-level jobs and junior positions which can give you the valuable experience you need to advance into more challenging roles. This cybersecurity job and salary guide is meant to give you an objective view of the types of roles, responsibilities, and published salary benchmarks across related occupations.

What Jobs Can You Get With an Associate’s Degree in Cybersecurity?

What is a realistic expectation for jobs with an associate’s degree in cybersecurity? For high-level cybersecurity jobs, it is normal for employers to look for at least a few years of hands-on experience, and Department of Defense qualifications depend on the position and assigned work role. That said, with an associate degree in cybersecurity, candidates may qualify for some junior roles in cybersecurity, IT support, and help desk roles which allow them to get hands-on experience. Many colleges allow you to transfer credits from accredited associate’s degree programs into a related bachelor’s program. Transfer admission and credit acceptance are determined by the receiving institution.

For many cybersecurity job listings, earning relevant certifications may improve your chances of qualifying for a position. Relevant certifications to research against specific job requirements include: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA+, Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900), AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate.

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Potential Jobs With an Associate’s Degree in Cybersecurity

These are cybersecurity-related jobs, including entry-level and longer-term options, which you may pursue with an associate’s degree in cybersecurity and relevant certifications. Requirements vary by employer; some positions require additional education or experience.

Note: Salary estimates for these roles vary depending on many factors, including what jobs you qualify for, education, experience, job title, certifications, employer expectations, local job market, location, and industry standards. Typically, employers look for candidates with a few years of experience and more education for senior architecture and cybersecurity roles. An average, a median, and an advertised pay range are different measures. Unless specified, figures cover multiple experience levels, not specifically associate-degree graduates. A provider’s low estimate does not establish entry-level pay. Sources were reviewed in October 2026; their underlying update dates differ.

Computer Support Specialist / Help Desk Technician: BLS medians $62,890 / $61,860 per year

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2025 showed computer support specialists earned a median annual salary of $62,890 per year. For the narrower Computer User Support Specialists group, which includes help-desk technicians, the median was $61,860. Candidates may earn more or less than this based on factors such as experience, education, employer expectations, and local job market.

Duties: A computer support specialist or help desk specialist is an information technology professional who troubleshoots computer systems and helps end users with issues, usually via ticketed support on text, live chat, or phone support. A computer support specialist must also know how to maintain computer systems and understand the fundamentals of network security. Many employers seek candidates with an associate degree, certifications, and/or hands-on experience. Some candidates gain experience in user technical support before moving into more advanced roles in IT or network security.

Junior SOC (Security Operations Center) Analyst: example advertised salary $60,000 to $72,000 per year

An UltraViolet Cyber Associate SOC Analyst posting reviewed in October 2026 advertised $60,000 to $72,000 per year. It specified 0–2 years of relevant experience, required U.S. citizenship, and listed a bachelor’s degree and relevant certifications as preferred qualifications. This is one employer’s advertised range, not a typical national salary or a guarantee of a job offer. Check the full posting for requirements and availability.

Duties: A Junior Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst is responsible for monitoring networks and data systems for signs of malicious attacks, logging suspicious activity, differentiating false positives from real threats, analyzing host logs, triaging security alerts, doing basic vulnerability scans and ticketing for security issues. If there is a suspected or verified threat, the SOC Analyst escalates the issue to senior engineers and cybersecurity staff.

Computer Systems Analyst: average base salary $92,123 per year

Based on October 2026 data from Indeed, taken from about 3,200 salaries over the preceding 36 months, computer systems analysts had an average base salary of $92,123 per year with displayed low and high estimates of $55,839 and $151,984. This is third party data, and not a guarantee of how much a candidate will earn. This covers the broader title; BLS identifies a bachelor’s degree as typical entry-level education.

Duties: Computer systems analysts play a crucial role in digital transformation, evaluating the information systems in an organization, planning and implementing transitions from old systems to new ones. Part of their job is to research emerging trends and make the best recommendations for keeping the networks, applications, and information systems moving to more efficient solutions. Sometimes computer systems analysts are called systems architects, they are also responsible for testing the systems as they build the new information system architecture.

Junior Risk Compliance Analyst: pay varies by position

Job listings on Indeed and ZipRecruiter include compliance analyst positions across industries and experience levels. Compare salaries only for positions with relevant cybersecurity duties. Senior risk compliance analysts may earn more. These are third-party job listings, and do not guarantee candidates a job offer or specific salary or compensation package. Please read each job listing to verify information for each employer.

Duties: a risk compliance analyst helps ensure an organization follows external laws, regulations, and industry standards to avoid paying fees, fines, and penalties. Their responsibilities include monitoring local, state and federal regulations, and updating company policies for information systems. They must also prepare compliance reports, analyze gaps in company policy, and organize changes to reach compliance. Risk compliance analysts help assess whether the information systems of the organization meet applicable laws and regulations, anticipating changes and proactively moving ahead of schedule to meet upcoming regulatory deadlines.

Junior Information Security Analyst / Cybersecurity Analyst: entry-level average total compensation about $70,828

Data from Payscale, last updated July 9, 2026, showed cybersecurity analysts had an average base salary of $83,322, with entry-level workers with less than one year of experience having average total compensation of $70,828, including bonuses and overtime. Data from Indeed in October 2026 showed cybersecurity analysts had an average base salary of $101,158 with a displayed low estimate of $62,173 per year. The overall figures are not limited to junior workers or associate-degree holders. These are third-party salary estimates and actual salaries may vary depending on factors such as job market, candidate experience and education, and employer expectations.

Duties: Cybersecurity analysts and junior information security analysts help implement security protocols and procedures for employees, helping prevent malware and viruses from infecting organization equipment and information systems. They analyze the security of the network system, running vulnerability scans, updating security documentation, resolving digital security issues, and securing company devices and systems against malicious threats, installing firewalls and other security procedures.

Junior Systems Administrator or Network Administrator: reported averages vary by title

Data from Indeed showed junior systems administrators had an average base salary of $71,280 per year, updated October 4, 2026. Indeed data showed junior network administrators had an average base salary of $70,154, updated September 11, 2026. Network administrators (no junior designation) had an average base salary of $84,618, updated October 4, 2026, according to Indeed. These are separate figures, not one junior-role salary range. This is from a third-party site, and salaries may depend on many factors, such as education, experience, job requirements, and local job market.

A Junior Network Administrator supports, monitors, manages, and maintains networks for an organization, including local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), wireless setups, and hardware infrastructure through the oversight of senior IT management. They also configure company servers, user accounts, and operating systems such as Windows, Linux, or Unix, providing software updates whenever needed.

Junior GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) Analyst: reported average annual pay $66,802

Data from ZipRecruiter, dated October 18, 2026, showed junior GRC analysts had average annual pay of $66,802. Search results on Indeed and ZipRecruiter can include different industries and seniority levels and should not be treated as one junior salary sample. A reported average is not an annual median salary for GRC analysts. This data is from third-party sites and actual salaries can depend on many factors including job responsibilities, candidate experience and education, and job market.

Duties: A Junior Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst is an entry-level cybersecurity professional who helps organizations with vendor risk assessments, managing security risks, maintaining regulatory compliance, and creating and enforcing security policies for the information network. Their specific responsibilities can include supporting audit readiness and compliance reviews involving SOC 2 reporting, ISO/IEC 27001, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, including collecting evidence; identifying, evaluating, and logging security risk assessments; drafting and maintaining security policies and protocols for the organization; administering automated control evidence; and answering customer or vendor security assessment questions. These include different reporting criteria, standards, and legal requirements—not interchangeable laws.

IT Security Specialist: average base salary $125,616 per year, across experience levels

Data from Indeed in October of 2026 showed IT Security Specialists had an average base salary of $125,616 with a displayed low estimate of $71,594 per year. These estimates cover the broader job title, not only junior roles. This data is from third parties and actual salaries may vary depending on candidate experience and education, job expectations, local job market, and employer.

Duties: Information security specialists protect the networks, data, and digital assets of an organization from internal and external threats, data breaches, cyberattacks, and unauthorized access. Their day to day responsibilities may include running security scans, testing firewalls, and conducting authorized attack simulations to find vulnerabilities; monitoring incident logs, investigating breaches, configuring firewalls and antivirus software, setting up intrusion detection systems, enforcing encryption protocols, developing and updating network security policies; and educating employees on best practices for security, including strong passwords and phishing awareness.

Junior IT Auditor: separate provider estimates $71,672 / $92,797 per year

Indeed’s Junior IT Auditor profile displayed an estimated annual salary of $71,672 when reviewed in October 2026. ZipRecruiter data dated August 31, 2026, showed Junior IT Auditors had average annual pay of $92,797. These are separate estimates, not endpoints of one salary range. This is data provided by third parties and actual salary data may vary, depending on location, candidate experience, education, and employer expectations.

Duties: A junior IT auditor evaluates, tests, and monitors the IT systems of an organization under the supervision of senior IT professionals. Day to day responsibilities can include control testing, including user management, change management, and system backups; collecting documentation such as logs, policy files, and system configurations; talking to information technology staff to understand how systems and controls work; recording test results, auditing systems; checking systems against applicable laws, standards, and frameworks such as SOX, ISO/IEC 27001, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, or PCI DSS; submitting all audits for review by senior staff or managers.

Junior Penetration Tester: pay varies by position and experience

Data from Indeed in October 2026 for penetration testers without a junior filter showed an average base salary of $126,565 and a displayed low estimate of $82,416. These figures do not establish entry-level pay. Higher paying roles may seek candidates with more qualifications, including experience, education, certifications, and other criteria.

Duties: Penetration testers, sometimes known as ethical hackers, identify vulnerabilities and potential security issues in large networks and enterprise applications. To find vulnerabilities, they conduct authorized tests within an agreed scope and controlled environment to attempt to penetrate the security of a network or computer systems. These controlled attempts at breaching a system allow the organization to fix bugs, eliminate vulnerabilities, document results, and develop new strategies to keep their network and application systems secure from malicious attacks.

Security Engineer: average base salary $119,282, across experience levels

Data from Indeed in October 2026 showed Security Engineers with an average base salary of $119,282, with a displayed low estimate of $65,093 per year. ZipRecruiter data from October 2026 showed security engineers had average annual pay of $152,773 per year. These are numbers from third-party sources and actual salaries may depend on employer expectations, candidate education and experience, and local job market. Neither source isolates entry-level associate-degree graduates; engineering roles may require additional experience or education.

Duties: Security engineers create the security systems used to protect enterprise networks, creating robust systems that anticipate cybersecurity risks, and developing methodologies for dealing with incidents, and communication protocols. Day to day responsibilities can include building comprehensive security architecture; securing cloud environments; deploying firewalls; working on encryption tools, access management; performing penetration testing, security audits, and risk assessments; investigating security breaches, analysing malware; coordinating recovery efforts from security incidents; developing security policies and protocols for the organization, and training staff in best practices.

Incident Response Associate: pay varies by role and experience

Jobs listed on Indeed and ZipRecruiter include junior security analysts and more experienced incident response analysts. Compare the exact duties and required experience before using one position’s pay to evaluate another. A junior security analyst salary is not automatically an incident response associate salary. Salary ranges can vary greatly depending on employer, education, experience, local job market, and other factors.

Duties: Incident response associates review system logs, document security breaches, help gather evidence of vulnerabilities and network security incidents for use by senior cybersecurity team members. They may assist with digital forensics to retrieve evidence of security breaches, test automation systems, and respond to existing threats. They may also help assess current risk to information systems, and suggest ways to avoid cyber threats in the future. In time, they may become incident response managers or move into another position in cybersecurity.

Pursue Your Cybersecurity Degree at Campus

For students who are interested in a cybersecurity career, Campus offers an Associate of Science in Cybersecurity degree that supports industry certification preparation while developing practical skills that support continued learning and professional growth in the information security field.

This program is designed to be accessible to students building foundational skills, even beginners with no prior experience. Even if you’re a novice to IT, you can apply, subject to admission requirements, and pursue your career in cybersecurity. Ask Campus which examinations the current curriculum supports and whether any exam fees or vouchers are included.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

Career, Certifications, and Salary Disclaimer

This article provides general educational information. Certification examinations are developed and administered by independent third-party organizations. Completion of a Campus program does not automatically result in certification, and students may be subject to separate examination requirements and fees.

Campus does not control certification requirements, examination content, examination fees, scheduling, scoring, or credential awards. Pursuit of a degree or passing a certification exam is not a guarantee of a job offer, employment, or position. Employers have different criteria for hiring candidates, including experience, education, certifications, employer expectations, job requirements, local job market, and other factors. Completing a cybersecurity degree or certificate program does not guarantee a job offer, employment, salary, career advancement, or career outcome.

Salary and compensation statistics are supplied by third-party sources. Compensation packages and salaries may be dependent on many different factors, such as education, experience, employer expectations, local job market, and other outside factors. Campus makes no guarantee of a specific salary range or compensation correlated to earning a degree or certification.

Sources

Salary figures were reviewed on October 19, 2026. Profile update dates are identified where relevant. Job-search links are additional research resources, not representative salary datasets.

Indeed - Computer Specialist Salary Profile (additional job-search resource)

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Computer Support Specialists

UltraViolet Cyber - Associate SOC Analyst, employer posting reviewed October 19, 2026

Indeed - Jobs for SOC Analyst in October 2026

ZipRecruiter - Jobs for SOC Analysts Anywhere in the US October 2026

Indeed - Computer Systems Analysts Salaries for the United States October 2026

Indeed - Compliance Analyst Job Search (mixed industries and experience levels)

ZipRecruiter - Junior Risk Compliance Analyst Job Search (research resource)

Indeed - Incident Response Analyst Job Search (research resource)

ZipRecruiter - Incident Response Analyst Job Search (research resource)

Payscale - Cyber Security Analyst Salary, profile updated July 9, 2026

ZipRecruiter - Junior Information Security Analyst Jobs in October 2026