Also called: CISO, Head of Security
The top security executive who answers to the CEO and board for protecting the whole organization.
You brief the board on the latest ransomware threats, approve the security budget, and run the war room if the company gets hacked. It's high-pressure and high-reward.
Wide range; large companies pay far more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 15 years after high school. Bachelor's plus 15+ years of experience; many have an MBA or master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Business Administration.
Growing much faster than average (about 16% over 10 years). Within BLS computer and information systems managers (16%, 2025-35).
Low risk for 10 years. AI changes threats and tools, but answering to the board and owning security risk is accountable human leadership.
Classes: AP Government, AP Computer Science Principles, Speech or debate.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-3021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.