Best 20 US Cities for CISSP Certification Holders

Cyber security
Cyber security

Best 20 US Cities for CISSP Certification Holders- We looked at job advertisements, crunched the numbers, and calculated the actual value of the CISSP certification to come up with a list of the top 20 US cities for CISSP holders.

The CISSP certification’s monetary value is determined on your job market. If you get your CISSP certification but live in a city with few CISSP positions, you’ll have to choose between moving to a city with more opportunities or accepting a pay that isn’t consistent with your talents and abilities. Although remote work is sometimes an option, many cybersecurity professions need staff to work on-site.

This list is for you if you’re wanting to figure out where you can make the most money with a CISSP certification.

The Research Methodology

To estimate the typical salary ranges from genuine open positions, we compiled raw data from job search portals. We gathered information from LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and other job-related websites. To construct this list, the data was evaluated and interpreted.

The data, which is based on published job list salaries that are generally negotiable, has a margin of error. Specific skill sets in combination with the CISSP certification can result in a higher salary than the given ranges. Some CISSPs with particular experience will be able to earn far more than the ranges we computed.

The CISSP certification requires the holder to have at least five years of expertise in multiple cybersecurity domains. Given this demand for experience, having a CISSP implies that you have the required or desired degree of experience for the positions we analysed to calculate employment market value. This isn’t true for all of the occupations we looked at, but it’s a reasonable assumption.

Here’s the rundown:

San Francisco CA

$100,100 to $145,700

San Francisco is one of the rare job markets where nearly all CISSPs make more than $100,000 on average. All of the technological companies in the Silicon Valley area are driving up the value of the CISSP certification. The cost of living in the area is expensive, but the salary is excellent. There is always a demand for CISSPs in the area, with roughly 1000 available positions. If you have a CISSP certification, you will almost certainly never be unemployed in this technological metropolis.

The following are some of the companies that are actively looking for CISSPs:

  • Accenture
  • First Republic Bank
  • Cisco
  • Salesforce
  • Deloitte

New York City

$95,000 to $145,000

In New York City, a CISSP certification is highly valued, with CISSPs earning upwards of $150K per year. Both the demand for cybersecurity expertise and the cost of living in the area impact the value.

In New York, major employment for CISSPs include:

  • Deloitte
  • Accenture
  • BNY Mellon
  • Engineering Research Group Inc.
  • EY

Chicago IL

$90,000 – $140,000

The demand for CISSP-certified cybersecurity specialists is high in the Windy City. In Chicago, the CISSP pay range is slightly lower than in New York City. This is a great city for cyber professionals because it has a lower cost of living than many other cities.

CISSPs can work for the following companies in Chicago:

  • Accenture (16)
  • Request Technology
  • Crowe
  • Bank of America
  • Deloitte
  • Avanade

Boston MA

$90,000-$135,000

The job market for CISSPs in Boston is excellent. The bottom end of the market is comparable to some of the other larger cities, but with five years or more of expertise, you can expect to earn around $135K. The cost of living in this market is greater than the national average, but there is much to do.

The following are some of the companies that are actively hiring CISSP certified professionals:

  • Raytheon
  • State Street
  • BAE Systems
  • Foreground Security
  • Accenture

Washington DC The Metropolitan Area

$90,000 to $130,000

In the Washington, DC metro area, a CISSP certification is quite desirable (Including Northern Virginia and Maryland). In this location, there are approximately 10,000 job openings.

CISSPs can work for a variety of companies, including:

These businesses are government contractors who employ people as a result of contracts they have won. The government establishes the prerequisites for the positions, which are contractual in nature. To be considered for many cybersecurity professions, the government demands the CISSP certification and additional IAT Level 3 credentials. To be considered for federal contracts CISSP roles, a security clearance is frequently required.

Los Angeles CA

$90,000 – $130,000

There are roughly 1000 open CISSP positions in the Los Angeles area, so cybersecurity experts have lots of options. CISSP salaries are equivalent to those in the Washington, DC metro region, but the cost of living in LA is slightly greater. This is a terrific area to be a CISSP if you are ready to fight the traffic and enjoy the weather.

In the Philadelphia area, major employers of CISSPs include:

  • Northrop Grumman
  • Deloitte
  • RSM US LLP
  • Accenture
  • Time Warner

San Bernardino CA

$90,000 – $130,000

The pay scale in San Bernardino is similar to that in Los Angeles, but the demand for CISSPs is much lower. There are, however, a few hundred CISSP job opportunities in this area on a regular basis.

The following are some of the San Bernardino companies that are actively hiring CISSP certification holders:

  • RSM US LLP
  • Accenture
  • Southern California Edison
  • Esri
  • Deloitte

Pittsburgh PA

$90,200 – $125,100

Over the last ten years, Pittsburgh has worked hard to attract technological companies. Because the city provides large tax incentives for businesses to relocate to the area, the ‘Burg is now home to many technological enterprises. This lower-cost-of-living location may be right for you, with a few hundred job positions accessible on a regular basis. Steelers, go!

CISSPs are employed by and actively sought by the following Pittsburgh companies:

  • Highmark Health
  • BNY Mellon
  • Software Engineering Institute
  • Accenture
  • EQT Corporation

Minneapolis MN

$89,900 – $130,000

With hundreds of unfilled positions, businesses in the Twin Cities continuously require CISSP certified individuals. If you wish to work in this field, there will undoubtedly be a need, and the pay scale will allow you to live comfortably.

CISSPs are frequently sought by the following companies in the Twin Cities area:

  • Target
  • Accenture
  • UnitedHealth Group
  • RSM US LLP
  • The Best Buy

Atlanta GA

$87,500 – $130,000

CISSP certified individuals will find 300-500 job vacancies in Atlanta on a regular basis. The cost of living is modest, and the industry has plenty of room for expansion. Summers are hot, but winters are pleasant. Most people consider Atlanta to be a fantastic place to live in.

Companies such as the ones listed below are actively looking for CISSPs in the area:

  • Fiserv
  • Accenture
  • E*TRADE FINANCIAL
  • Ernst & Young OM
  • Verizon

#11 Houston TX

$85,300-$135,700

Houston, a major international city, is a densely populated technology centre. Many oil and energy firms, including Shell, Exxon, and others, have their headquarters in this city. In Houston and the surrounding areas, there are little under 800 open CISSP positions.

The following are major employers in the Houston area:

  • Deloitte
  • Accenture
  • RSM US LLP
  • Avanade
  • General Electric

For the young professional, Houston is an appealing market to work in. The city is alive, and the weather is scorching! Job opportunities for CISSP cybersecurity specialists are also plentiful.

Baltimore MD

$85,000 to $125,000

There are hundreds of open CISSP jobs in Baltimore to choose from. This city is attempting to establish itself as a cybersecurity hotspot in the United States. Many businesses are concentrating their efforts in this area on cybersecurity. This location thrives for cybersecurity professionals due to the quick commute to military bases and even the Washington, DC area.

The following are some of the main firms that are actively looking for CISSP certified employees:

  • General Dynamics Information Technology
  • CSRA
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
  • CyberLinx Solutions LLC

St Louis, MO

$84,400 to $121,000

Although “The Gateway City” is not recognised for its technological prowess, it does pay well for CISSP certified employees. Companies often post 100-200 job openings in this field that require the CISSP certification.

Some of the companies that are looking for CISSPs in St. Louis are:

  • AT&T
  • CACI
  • Spectrum
  • Abile Group, Inc.
  • ManTech International Corporation

Detroit MI

$84,400 to $129,500

In the Detroit area, there are typically 100 to 200 open CISSP positions. The average salary for a CISSP can be in the low six figures, as can be expected anywhere.

In Detroit, companies that are actively looking for CISSP roles include:

  • TARGET
  • Accenture
  • UnitedHealth Group
  • RSM US LLP
  • The Best Buy

Dallas TX

$84,100 to $130,100

Dallas is a wonderful city to work for CISSPs because of its cheaper cost of living and excellent compensation potential. In this sector, there are just under 500 unfilled positions, and the demand for cybersecurity expertise is growing.

In the Dallas area, major jobs for CISSPs include:

  • Verizon
  • Raytheon
  • Grant Thornton
  • Bank of America
  • OM Ernst & Young

Dallas is a technological powerhouse. For reduced commercial real estate costs, tax advantages, and a large pool of technical professionals, more and more technology enterprises are relocating to this area. Just west of the city, Verizon has a big complex. Apple has a presence in the area and has announced a significant expansion of its staff.

Denver CO

$84,000 – $125,000

At any given time of year, there are several hundred open CISSP jobs in the Denver area. The pay for these jobs might be as high as the low six digits. Denver may be the city for you if you enjoy the outdoors and hold the CISSP certification.

CISSPs are frequently hired by the following companies in the Denver area:

  • Lockheed Martin Corp.
  • AppliedTrust
  • Accenture
  • Raytheon

Miami FL

$80,100 – $120,600

CISSP cybersecurity professionals are in high demand in Miami. The typical income for these occupations is around $100k, which is lower than many big cities.

CISSPs are employed by the following companies in this area:

Phoenix AZ

$81,500 – $122,000

Phoenix is an excellent alternative for CISSP certified professionals who enjoy scorching desert climates. The cost of living in Phoenix is inexpensive, and the CISSP certification commands a good pay in the area.

In Phoenix, major jobs for CISSPs include:

  • Vitalant
  • Productive Data Solutions, Inc.
  • Early Warning Services
  • Wells Fargo
  • Paypal

Tampa FL

$80,100 – $120,000

When compared to other major US cities, the Tampa area is fairly affordable. As a result, having the CISSP certification might make you substantially over the average pay, allowing you to live comfortably.

The following are some of the Tampa-area companies that are actively employing CISSPs:

  • Verizon
  • RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL
  • PwC
  • Nielsen
  • RSM US LLP

Omaha NB

$75,100 – $121,200

Although salaries in Omaha are lower than in larger cities, there is still a demand for cybersecurity specialists in the area. We discovered roughly 500 vacant positions that require the CISSP certification in both the government and the private sector.

In Omaha, major jobs seeking CISSPs include:

  • TD Ameritrade
  • G4S
  • Oasis Systems, Inc.
  • LTi Technology Solutions
  • SAIC
Jennifer Thomas
Jennifer Thomas is the Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Cybers Guards. Prior to that, She was responsible for leading its Cyber Security Practice and Cyber Security Operations Center, which provided managed security services.