Stakeholders in Minnesota are building a cybersecurity cluster by developing cybersecurity business models for companies. Thus, it is not surprising that the number of job listings for cybersecurity analysts, architects, engineers, auditors, and administrators in the state grew by 98% between 2010 and 2014 according to the tech staffing firm Burning Glass Technologies. These types of positions typically pay high salaries, and Burning Glass Technologies reported that cybersecurity jobs pay 9% more on average than other IT positions.
- 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
Minnesota National Guard’s CIO, Colonel Stefanie Horvath, stated that the state has “an amazing ecosystem” in an article on the organization’s website. With a combination of the high density of Fortune 500 companies and the high rankings that Minnesota gets on the State Technology and Science Index, Minnesota provides a large pool to recruit from to have a high-tech workforce.
The Minnesota Business Magazine delineated unique elements that Minnesota offers to enhance its cybersecurity ecosystem:
- A private sector with a global footprint
- High tech industries that depend on securing their assets
- An understanding of the corporate and international dimensions of cybersecurity
- Informed and engaged public policy leaders
- An engaged and active IT community
In fact, the National Guard announced in December 2015 that that these elements caused it to choose Minnesota as the site for one of its 13 new cyber units. This Cyber Protection Team will be comprised of an additional 39 soldiers. While the team’s focus will be on protecting the DOD network, its members will also coordinate, train, advise, and assist Minnesota state partners to help secure local networks.
Salaries for Key Cybersecurity Experts in Minnesota’s Major Urban and Rural Areas
According to the Robert Half Technology 2016 Salary Guide, cybersecurity analysts and administrators in the major cities and rural area of Minnesota can expect to earn salaries within the ranges shown here. Cybersecurity professionals with master’s degree have the advanced expertise to earn on the high end of these ranges:
Data Security Analysts:
- Bloomington: $116,150 – $163,736
- Duluth: $87,636 – $123,539
- Minneapolis: $116,701 – $164,512
- Rochester: $110,645 – $155,976
- Cloud: $90,278 – $127,264
- Paul: $112,297 – $158,304
Information Security Administrators:
- Bloomington: $111,303 – $157,723
- Duluth: $83,978 – $119,002
- Minneapolis: $111,830 – $158,740
- Rochester: $106,028 – $150,248
- Cloud: $86,510 – $122,590
- Paul: $107,610 – $152,490
Network Security Administrators:
- Bloomington: $108.929 – $155,085
- Duluth: $83,978 – $117,012
- Minneapolis: $109,445 – $155,820
- Rochester: $103,766 – $147,735
- Cloud: $84,665 – $120,540
- Paul: $105,315 – $149,940
Salaries for Information Security Analysts in the Major Cities of Minnesota
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed salary data below for information security analysts in the major cities in Minnesota. Information security analysts with a master’s degree can expect to earn salaries in the highest percentiles: