This salary guide was originally published on SRF Developer. Check out the blog for the full state-by-state breakdown.
The tech market is weird right now. Coding jobs are competitive, but Cybersecurity has a 3.5 million worker shortage.
If you are in the USA (or looking for remote US jobs), the salaries for 2026 are looking massive. But you need to pick the right "Path."
Here is the breakdown of the Top 3 Entry-Level paths and what they pay.
🛡️ 1. The Defender: SOC Analyst
This is where 80% of beginners start. You monitor logs (Splunk) and catch bad guys.
- Average Salary: $85,000 - $110,000
- Required Cert: CompTIA Security+ or CySA+
- Stress Level: ⭐⭐⭐ (Shift work is common)
🏗️ 2. The Builder: Security Engineer
You build the firewalls and secure the cloud (AWS/Azure). You don't just watch screens; you write code.
- Average Salary: $120,000 - $165,000
- Required Skill: Python, Linux, AWS Security
- Stress Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⚔️ 3. The Attacker: Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)
The "cool" job. Companies pay you to break into their systems before the real hackers do.
- Average Salary: $105,000 - $140,000
- Required Cert: CEH or OSCP (Hard!)
- Stress Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🗺️ The 2026 Roadmap
"Okay, I want the $120k job. How do I get there?"
You can't just apply. You need a specific stack of Labs + Certs.
I have built a complete step-by-step roadmap for 2026.
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