How Much Does a Cyber Security Manager Make? (2025)
Cybersecurity managers are responsible for leading cybersecurity professionals, including cybersecurity analysts, and managing systems to detect, prevent, and reduce security threats. They identify system vulnerabilities and strengthen defenses, often working in industries like healthcare, technology, and government.
Since this is a senior role, the salary is competitive, which makes it a good career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that computer and information systems managers, including cyber security managers, earned a median of $171,200 in May 2024. Salary.com recorded the salary for cyber security managers as $161,160 per year on June 11, 2025.
Keep reading this salary guide to explore the cybersecurity manager salary expectations, the highest-paying cities, and answers to common questions about the role.
What is the Cyber Security Manager’s Salary
As of June 11, 2025, the average cybersecurity manager salary in the United States is $161,160 per year or $66 per hour. The salary range for cybersecurity managers is between $131,319 and $198,395, with most earnings of $145,540 to $180,650 per year.
2025 Average Salary for Cyber Security Manager: $161,160 per year ($66 per hour)
An information security manager reported an average monthly salary of $11,517, while the average weekly pay is $2,658. Moreover, the average cybersecurity manager salary per hour is $,66 according to the recent Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $57 | $2,295 | $9,944 | $131,319 |
| 25th Percentile | $62 | $2,468 | $10,693 | $145,540 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $66 | $2,658 | $11,517 | $161,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $72 | $2,890 | $12,523 | $180,650 |
| 90th Percentile | $78 | $3,102 | $13,440 | $198,395 |
Apart from base pay, cybersecurity managers may receive additional cash compensation, which contributes to their total compensation package. The average total compensation for a cybersecurity manager is $238,896 per year.
Cyber Security Manager Salaries State by State
Cybersecurity manager salaries vary by state in the U.S. due to factors like minimum wage, job demand, location, and cost of living.
The table below shows the states with the highest pay for cyber security managers are the District of Columbia ($178,430), California ($177,750), and Massachusetts ($175,390).
Meanwhile, the lowest average salaries for content writers are found in Mississippi ($143,720), West Virginia ($145,120), and Arkansas ($145,590).
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $174,450 |
| Alabama | $148,050 |
| Arkansas | $145,590 |
| Arizona | $157,030 |
| California | $177,750 |
| Colorado | $164,430 |
| Connecticut | $172,230 |
| District of Columbia | $178,430 |
| Delaware | $163,200 |
| Florida | $152,490 |
| Georgia | $155,440 |
| Hawaii | $168,440 |
| Iowa | $154,230 |
| Idaho | $150,440 |
| Illinois | $164,270 |
| Indiana | $154,690 |
| Kansas | $153,450 |
| Kentucky | $151,650 |
| Louisiana | $153,230 |
| Massachusetts | $175,390 |
| Maryland | $166,170 |
| Maine | $157,130 |
| Michigan | $158,710 |
| Minnesota | $164,910 |
| Missouri | $153,110 |
| Mississippi | $143,720 |
| Montana | $152,150 |
| North Carolina | $153,150 |
| North Dakota | $159,190 |
| Nebraska | $151,830 |
| New Hampshire | $162,920 |
| New Jersey | $174,680 |
| New Mexico | $149,260 |
| Nevada | $159,500 |
| New York | $171,330 |
| Ohio | $156,920 |
| Oklahoma | $149,010 |
| Oregon | $163,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $160,430 |
| Rhode Island | $167,090 |
| South Carolina | $151,000 |
| South Dakota | $146,460 |
| Tennessee | $150,600 |
| Texas | $157,190 |
| Utah | $154,320 |
| Virginia | $162,280 |
| Vermont | $158,180 |
| Washington | $174,740 |
| Wisconsin | $158,530 |
| West Virginia | $145,120 |
| Wyoming | $154,550 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Cyber Security Managers?
Cybersecurity manager salaries also vary by city due to variations in the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas.
For example, California cities like San Jose and San Francisco offer a high average salary for cyber security managers, with $203,270 and $201,270, respectively.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $203,270 |
| San Francisco, CA | $201,270 |
| Oakland, CA | $196,800 |
| New York, NY | $186,760 |
| Queens Village, NY | $185,550 |
| Paramus, NJ | $184,270 |
How Does Experience Affect Cyber Security Manager Salaries?
The salary of cybersecurity managers increases with experience. According to a Salary.com report, entry-level cybersecurity managers earn an average of $151,093 per year, while experienced cybersecurity managers with over 8 years of experience earn an average of $161,524 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Cyber Security Manager | $151,093 |
| Intermediate Level Cyber Security Manager | $151,757 |
| Senior Level Cyber Security Manager | $153,972 |
| Specialist Level Cyber Security Manager | $156,630 |
| Expert Level Cyber Security Manager | $161,524 |
How to Increase Salary as a Cyber Security Manager?
Computer and information systems managers, including cybersecurity managers, usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology (IT), along with several years of related experience. Their salary can increase with career growth and in-demand skills.
Cyber Security Manager Advancements
- Build a strong portfolio: Companies look for a proven history of managing risk, handling security incidents, and leading key projects. A portfolio showing successful audits, compliance work, and experience with server architecture adds credibility and can lead to better job offers and higher pay.
- Promotion: Cybersecurity managers can move up to roles like senior manager, director, or CISO. These jobs offer higher pay and greater leadership duties. Salary.com report suggests that these managers can earn around $130,000 or more per year, depending on the industry and location.
- Specialization: Focusing on areas like cloud security, Unix, email security, or incident management can lead to higher pay. Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or AWS Security help strengthen your skills and attract better job offers.
- Education: Earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity or an MBA with a tech focus can lead to senior roles. Ongoing education also builds leadership, strategy, and business skills that support career and salary growth.
Cyber Security Manager Skills
Cybersecurity managers with certain skills can also increase their salaries. According to a Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a cybersecurity manager with cloud platform skills can earn a +7.61% salary increase, followed by Unix skills with a +7.24% increase.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Platform | 39.78% | +7.61% |
| Unix | 28.25% | +7.24% |
| Linux | 35.69% | +6.52% |
| Incident Management | 52.79% | +6.24% |
| Oracle | 29.74% | +6.17% |
| Cybersecurity | 75.46% | +5.21% |
What are the FAQs About Cyber Security Manager Salaries?
Here are some common questions about cyber security manager salary:
Can you make $500,000 a year in cyber security?
Yes, you can make $500,000 a year in the cybersecurity field, especially if you're a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at a large organization. This industry offers competitive salaries, and according to our report, the average salary for a CISO is $343,694 per year in the United States, as of June 11, 2025.
How much do cyber security managers get paid?
As of June 11, 2025, the average cybersecurity manager in the U.S. earns $161,160 per year or $66 per hour, according to Salary.com. Note the network security engineer salary is different, averaging between $137,524 and $162,373 per year.
What does a cyber security manager do?
A cybersecurity manager’s role is to oversee daily operations, spot security gaps, and create cybersecurity strategies and security measures to handle threats. They work closely with network security engineers and cybersecurity engineers to review and update tools, ensuring systems stay current with the latest cybersecurity research and technology.
How long does it take to become a cyber security manager?
To become a cybersecurity manager, you typically need about 10 years of experience in computer security, a bachelor’s degree, and relevant certifications. To move into senior or CISO roles, an MBA with a focus on IT security is often helpful.
