Cybersecurity professionals working on the US West Coast are currently the highest paid in North America, with an average base salary of $200,000 per year. This significant pay gap of $49,000 compared to the next highest earning region in North America was revealed in the recent “2025 Cybersecurity Staff Compensation Benchmark Report” by IANS and Artico. The report surveyed 525 cybersecurity staff members across the US and Canada to gather these insights.
The overall average cash compensation for cybersecurity professionals on the West Coast is reported to be $224,000 annually, including payments such as overtime and bonuses. In contrast, the Northeast US region follows as the next highest paying area in North America, with an average base salary of $151,000 and average overall cash compensation of $173,000. The report also highlights the notable salary differences in Canada, where cybersecurity professionals earn significantly lower average base salaries of $90,000.
The researchers behind the report attributed the higher salaries on the West Coast to the region’s high cost of living, as well as the concentration of major tech companies that offer premium pay to attract experienced cybersecurity professionals. This trend aligns with the fact that big tech companies are often located in this area and seek skilled professionals to bolster their cybersecurity defenses.
Moreover, the report delves into salary disparities based on different cybersecurity job functions. Management positions, such as functional department heads, command an average base salary of $234,000 and annual cash compensation of $283,000. On the other hand, team leaders receive $145,000 on average per year, with an overall cash compensation of $162,000. The highest average salaries outside of management positions were found in roles like Security Architect, Security Engineer, Risk/GRC Specialist, and Security Analyst, showcasing the correlation between pay and proficiency levels in the cybersecurity field.
However, despite the lucrative salaries, there seems to be dissatisfaction among cybersecurity professionals regarding career progression opportunities. The report revealed that less than 40% of respondents reported satisfaction with their career advancement prospects, with 45% expressing dissatisfaction. Additionally, concerns around workplace satisfaction were highlighted through the Net Promoter Score (NPS) ratings, with 28% giving a low score and 33% providing a high NPS score. This indicates that a significant portion of cybersecurity professionals are considering changing their employer within the next year, especially among functional department heads and middle management.
In response to these findings, Steve Martano, an IANS Faculty member and Partner at Artico, emphasized the need for organizations to proactively address the issue of career growth to prevent high turnover rates among senior cybersecurity staff. Martano suggested that organizations should communicate transparently with high performers about future opportunities, and if growth within the organization is limited, facilitate their transition to new roles elsewhere while maintaining positive relationships.
Overall, the report sheds light on the complex landscape of cybersecurity salaries in North America, highlighting both the high earning potential and the challenges related to career progression and workplace satisfaction within the industry. Organizations may need to adapt their strategies to retain and nurture top cybersecurity talent in the competitive market.