The number of cybersecurity job postings in Miami grew so quickly between 2010 and 2014 that tech industry strategic intelligence firm Burning Glass Technologies ranked the city as having the 6th highest job growth rate in the nation for this sector. In Florida overall, the number of cybersecurity related job postings grew by 135% during this period. In 2015, Burning Glass Technologies reported that cybersecurity experts throughout the US earned an average salary that was 9% higher than what other IT professionals earned that year.
The state of Florida is making a concerted effort to become a national leader in cybersecurity. The Florida Board of Governor’s Cyber Security Report from 2013 entitled “Making Florida the Cyber State,” revealed that “a presence in the cybersecurity industry will quickly bring Florida’s economy new revenue, new jobs and an unparalled cybersecurity base.”
- Grand Canyon University - B.S. and M.S. in Cyber Security
- SNHU - B.S and M.S. in Cybersecurity
- Purdue Global - Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Arizona State University - Online Master of Arts in Global Security
With HB 5101:1004.444, Governor Rick Scott and the 2013 legislature implemented funding to create the Florida Center for Cyber Security (FC2) to help make this goal a reality. Florida’s statutes indicate that its cybersecurity experts at FC2 will seek out partnerships with major military installations to assist with homeland security defense initiatives.
The creation of FC2 brought national attention to Florida’s cybersecurity industry. The mission goals for this center include creating thousands of high-paying jobs in Florida’s cybersecurity industry and reintegrating military veterans by utilizing their specialized skills and training.
Salaries for Key Cybersecurity Positions in Florida’s Major Cities
Cybersecurity specialists in Florida can expect to earn salaries within the ranges shown here according to the Robert Half Technology 2016 Salary Guide. The most experienced cybersecurity professionals with master’s degrees can expect to earn salaries on the high end of these ranges:
Data Security Analysts:
- Fort Myers: $99,086 – $139,680
- Jacksonville: $104,590 – $147,440
- Miami/Fort Lauderdale: $117,802 – $166,064
- Orlando: $113,500 – $160,000
- Petersburg: $106,792 – $150,544
- Tampa: $107,893 – $152,096
- West Palm Beach: $111,196 – $156,752
Systems Security Administrators:
- Fort Myers: $94,950 – $134,550
- Jacksonville: $100,225 – $$142,025
- Miami/Fort Lauderdale: $112,885 – $159,965
- Orlando: $105,500 – $149,500
- Petersburg: $102,335 – $145,015
- Tampa: $103,390 – $146,510
- West Palm Beach: $106,555 – $150,995
Network Security Administrators:
- Fort Myers: $92,925 – $132,300
- Jacksonville: $98,088 – $139,650
- Miami/Fort Lauderdale: $110,478 – $157,290
- Orlando: $103,250 – $147,000
- Petersburg: $100,153 – $142,590
- Tampa: $101,185 – $144,060
- West Palm Beach: $104,283 – $148,470
Salaries for Information Security Analysts in Florida
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity includes information security analysts on its list of hot jobs in the state, predicting job growth of 29.1% between 2015 and 2023.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provided the salaries for information systems analysts in a number of Florida’s metropolitan areas as of 2015. While the BLS provides a range of figures, information security analysts with a master’s degree can expect to earn salaries that fall within the highest percentiles: