Cyber security is job security: the industry as a whole has had a 0% unemployment rate since 2011 and a job growth projection of over 36%. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies estimates there will be as many as 3.5 million industry job openings by 2021, which would mean 12 times faster growth than the rest of the US job market. The biggest employment area is in Washington D.C., which has a population of security experts 3.5 times higher than the rest of the country.
Some niche areas within cyber security are more robust than others. For example, a cyber forensics specialist can expect a job growth projection of 28% and an average salary around $70,000. According to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the US currently employs almost 715,000 workers in the field of cyber security, with another 314,000 positions unfilled. Some industries in particular, such as the healthcare industry, are projected to invest over $65 billion on cyber security in the next two years.
How does this information translate for your goal to become a cyber security consultant? It means you can begin your career as, for example, a cyber forensic specialist or health care IT specialist, become certified in specific areas of cyber security, and form your own cyber security consultant business specializing in the area of forensics or health care. Once you have experience, you can expect a lucrative income with extremely high demand throughout your career.
Keep in mind, the world of cyber security is always changing. You should plan to continue your education and certifications throughout your career in order to meet the demands of bigger and badder hacking attacks on the security systems of the world.