Also called: Computer Network Operator, Offensive Cyber Operator
Defends government networks and conducts authorized cyber operations against foreign adversaries.
Cyber operators at NSA or U.S. Cyber Command hunt for hackers inside networks, analyze malware, and sometimes carry out authorized operations against foreign targets. It's like a high-stakes video game where the opponents are nation-states.
Federal GS or agency pay scale; DC-area locality pay is higher.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in computer science or cybersecurity; certifications like OSCP; Top Secret clearance.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification, Military, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, Mathematics.
Growing much faster than average. Information security analysts overall growing fast.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI automates threat detection and some hacking tasks, but also creates new attacks; skilled operators stay in demand.
Classes: AP Computer Science, Networking CTE class, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1212.
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.