If you intend to pursue a career as a cyber expert, knowing the highest-paying states for cybersecurity jobs is invaluable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, states differ in terms of mean annual wages, available job opportunities, and career growth potential.
We have done a comprehensive analysis to identify which states pay the highest for cybersecurity services. To come up with this list, we did the mean annual wages for cybersecurity analysts, cybersecurity engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and senior cybersecurity analysts.
Of the four professions we used, a career in cybersecurity engineering has the highest earning potential, with the District of Columbia, for example, paying cybersecurity engineers a mean annual wage of $147,530.
Let’s now have a look at each individual state and how much they pay cybersecurity experts.
Highest-paying states for cybersecurity jobs in 2023
Recent statistics indicate that the District of Columbia ranks as the best-paying state for cybersecurity jobs. Other top-paying states for cybersecurity experts are New Jersey, Maryland, Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, California, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
1. District of Columbia
Statistics show the District of Columbia as the crème de la crème of cybersecurity careers, especially if earning potential is an important factor for you. According to 2020 data, the mean annual wage for a cybersecurity expert in the District of Columbia is $118,728.
The state currently has about 21,525 openings for cybersecurity jobs, according to CyberSeek. The mean annual wages for cybersecurity experts in the District of Columbia are as follows:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $147,530
- Cybersecurity specialist – $126,610
- Cybersecurity analyst – $82,520
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $118,250
2. New Jersey
The state of New Jersey also stands out for professionals pursuing a career in cybersecurity. Data shows that cybersecurity engineers and cybersecurity specialists earn more than cybersecurity analysts and senior cybersecurity analysts.
The mean annual wage for a cybersecurity expert working in New Jersey is $112,670. The mean annual wages for cyber experts in different professions are as follows:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $147,020
- Cybersecurity specialist – $113,610
- Cybersecurity analyst – $89,600
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $100,450
3. Maryland
Maryland is also one of the highest-paying states for cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. Our data analysis indicated that the mean annual wage for cyber experts in Maryland is $112,063, with cybersecurity engineers being the best paid.
Cyber experts in Maryland earn mean wages of between $87,000 and $140,000. Here is how each specialty pays per year:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $136,075
- Cybersecurity specialist – $116,000
- Cybersecurity analyst – $87,690
- Senior Cybersecurity analyst – $108,490
4. Maine
Located on the east coast is the state of Maine with an estimated population of 1.35 million. Data indicate cybersecurity engineers to be the highest earners of all cyber experts in the state.
According to CyberSeek, Maine has about 763 job openings for cybersecurity experts. The mean annual wage for cyber experts in Maine is $111,915 while the mean annual wage for each cyber career is as follows:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $136,670
- Cybersecurity specialist – $110,640
- Cybersecurity analyst – $96,518
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $103,835
5. New York
New York has one of the highest job openings for cyber experts in the U.S. (23,219) and also one of the highest mean annual wages of $109,458. Cybersecurity engineers and specialists earn the most in New York.
The city of Utica is also one of the best cities for cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. The mean annual wages for cyber experts in the state are as follows:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $126,675
- Cybersecurity specialist – $110,840
- Cybersecurity analyst – $93,060
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $107,260
6. Massachusetts
Massachusetts currently ranks 6th among the highest-paying states for cybersecurity jobs in the United States. With over 15,100 job openings for cyber experts with a potential to earn between $80,000 and $130,000 per year, pursuing a cybersecurity career in Massachusetts is a worthy course.
The mean annual wage for a cybersecurity expert in Massachusetts is $104,260. Cybersecurity engineers and specialists earn the most. Here are the mean annual wages for the other professions:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $119,080
- Cybersecurity specialist – 108,350
- Cybersecurity analyst – $88,050
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $101,560
7. Delaware
Delaware is another state where cybersecurity experts get paid really well. According to the latest data, cybersecurity experts in Delaware earn a mean annual salary of $103,674, with cybersecurity engineers enjoying the highest wages.
With more than 1,450 jobs openings for cyber experts, you will earn this much if you pursue a cybersecurity career:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $120,420
- Cybersecurity specialist – $101,995
- Cybersecurity analyst – $96,660
8. Connecticut
Cybersecurity professionals in Connecticut, notably cybersecurity analysts, specialists, and engineers earn a mean annual wage of $103,167. The mean annual wages for each of the individual careers range between $83,000 and $126,000.
If you intend to pursue a cybersecurity career in Connecticut then you should expect the following mean annual wages:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $125,910
- Cybersecurity specialist – $105,040
- Cybersecurity analyst – $83,060
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $98,660
9. California
A career in cybersecurity is also very lucrative in the state of California where cybersecurity engineers earn a mean annual salary of $117,240. The mean annual wage for cyber experts in California is $100,260.
Pursuing a cybersecurity career in CA will earn you anywhere between $80,000 and $120,000 per year. The mean annual wages of cybersecurity experts are:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $117,240
- Cybersecurity specialist – $99,970
- Cybersecurity analyst – $84,160
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $99,660
10. New Hampshire
With a mean annual salary of $98,447 and cybersecurity engineers earning close to $120,000 a year, New Hampshire ranks high among the top paying states for cybersecurity jobs in the U.S.
Cybersecurity professionals earn mean annual wages of between $80,000 and $120,000 depending on the area of expertise. These are the latest mean annual wages for cyber experts in New Hampshire:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $119,810
- Cybersecurity specialist – $97,610
- Cybersecurity analyst – $84,760
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $91,610
11. Rhode Island
Although Rhode Island’s population is just over a million, the high demand for cybersecurity experts and current wages of $97,062 makes the state one of the most preferred destinations for cyber experts looking for private agencies to work for.
The highest-paid cybersecurity experts in Rhode Island earn more than $110,000 a year, which makes it one of the highest-paying states for cybersecurity careers in the U.S. The mean annual wages for cyber experts is as follows:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $118,960
- Cybersecurity specialist – $98,500
- Cybersecurity analyst – $78,400
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $92,390
12. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is another state where cyber experts can high more than $100,000 a year. Data indicate the mean annual wage for cybersecurity experts in this state to be $93,772, with cybersecurity engineers earning the highest salaries.
For comparison, these are the mean annual wages for the cybersecurity roles we analyzed:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $113,020
- Cybersecurity specialist – $95,260
- Cybersecurity analyst – $77,500
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $89,310
13. Virginia
According to a cybersecurity employment study done by Comparitech, Virginia emerged as the best state for cybersecurity jobs. The state boasts the largest cybersecurity workforce, the highest employment per 1,000 jobs, and one of the strongest long-term growth projections of roles in cybersecurity (by 2028).
The current mean annual salary for cybersecurity experts in Virginia is $92,495. The mean annual wages for select professions are as follows:
- Cybersecurity engineer – $105,870
- Cybersecurity specialist – $91,510
- Cybersecurity analyst – $81,200
- Senior cybersecurity analyst – $91,400
Other top paying states for cybersecurity jobs
Other notable states where cybersecurity experts earn a mean annual wage of at least $80,000 include Washington ($91,480), North Carolina ($90,837), Texas ($88,849), Florida ($88,436), West Virginia ($87,308), Oregon ($86,961), New Mexico ($86,322), North Dakota ($85,005), Minnesota ($83,356), Vermont ($82,520), and Ohio ($80,795).