Is cybersecurity still worth it in 2026? On the official numbers, yes, if you are willing to build real skills. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21% growth for information security analysts from 2025 to 2035, and the median wage was $129,180 in May 2025. Whether it is a good career for you depends on where you start, how you plan to land your first role, and how you handle a field where 25% of ISC2 survey respondents reported layoffs in 2024.
Key takeaways
BLS projects 21% growth for information security analysts through 2035 and reports a median wage of $129,180.
ISC2 says its workforce gap figure is not an estimate of current job openings.
BLS lists a degree plus related work experience as the typical route in, and training and certifications as another.
ISC2 reports that hiring managers are prioritizing transferable skills that complement AI adoption, such as problem-solving.
Is cybersecurity still worth it in 2026? The short answer
The data says yes, with conditions. Official projections for demand and pay are strong. But the field is not a sure path. In ISC2’s 2024 survey, 25% of respondents reported layoffs in their cybersecurity departments and 37% reported budget cuts. BLS lists a degree plus related work experience as the typical route in. So is cybersecurity a good career in 2026? It can be if you like solving problems, keep learning and can show hands-on skills.
Pros
BLS projects 21% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3% for all occupations.
The median annual wage for information security analysts was $129,180 in May 2025, according to BLS.
About 14,100 openings per year are projected over the decade.
More than one way in: a degree, or training and certifications.
Cons
BLS says the typical entry route is a degree plus related work experience.
In 2024, 25% of ISC2 respondents reported layoffs and 37% reported budget cuts.
64% of ISC2 respondents believe skills gaps can have a more significant negative impact than a staffing shortage, so skills matter more than headcount.
Is cybersecurity in demand? The numbers
Cybersecurity career outlook through 2035
BLS counts about 192,900 information security analyst jobs in 2025 and projects 21% growth through 2035, “much faster than the average for all occupations.” That is one answer to “is cybersecurity dying”: for this occupation, the projection points up. It covers information security analysts, not every security role.
Cybersecurity job market 2026: gap versus real openings
You will often see huge figures for missing cybersecurity workers. ISC2’s 2024 study put the global workforce gap at about 4.76 million people. Read that carefully, because ISC2 itself warns about what it means.
ISC2: The gap “is not an estimate of current job openings for cybersecurity professionals.”
The same ISC2 study found that 64% of respondents believe skills gaps can have a more significant negative impact than a staffing shortage. So the concern is not only headcount, but whether people can do the work.
Cybersecurity salary and the way in
On cybersecurity salary, the official figure is the BLS median of $129,180 a year for information security analysts in May 2025. A median is the midpoint, so half of analysts earn less. That number is for the occupation, not for individual job titles, so check postings for the role you want before you rely on any single figure.
Is a cybersecurity degree worth it?
BLS says analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer science field plus related work experience. It also says some workers enter with a high school diploma and relevant industry training and certifications. So whether a cybersecurity degree is worth it depends on the route you take.
Two entry routes described by BLS
Factor
Degree route
Training and certifications route
What BLS says
Typical path: bachelor’s degree in a computer science field
Some workers enter with a high school diploma
What BLS lists with it
Related work experience
Relevant industry training and certifications
What to ask before you choose
Does the program include hands-on practice or internships?
Which job postings in your area name this certification?
On either route, ISC2 reports that hiring managers are prioritizing transferable skills that complement AI adoption, such as problem-solving. Before you spend money, run through this list.
Read the BLS outlook for the role you want.
Search real job postings and note the experience they ask for.
Build hands-on practice, not just course certificates.
Talk to two or three people who work in the field.
Compare the cost of a degree with training and certifications.
Write down how you will show problem-solving in an interview.
Is cybersecurity oversaturated, and will AI replace cybersecurity jobs?
Is cybersecurity oversaturated at the entry level?
The data in this guide does not count entry-level applicants, so it cannot show whether the field is oversaturated. BLS describes a degree plus related work experience as the typical route in, and ISC2 reports layoffs and budget cuts among its respondents. If you are looking for a first job, plan for competition and build projects you can show.
Will AI replace cybersecurity jobs?
The data in this guide does not measure how many jobs AI will replace, so nobody can promise you an answer. What ISC2 reports is useful: hiring managers are prioritizing transferable skills that complement AI adoption, such as problem-solving, over technical skills like cloud computing security or risk analysis. A sensible plan is to learn the fundamentals, use AI tools as help, and be able to explain your reasoning.
Running a business, not building a career?
If you need IT that keeps your office running day to day, we can walk you through the options.
The BLS projection says the opposite: 21% growth in information security analyst jobs from 2025 to 2035, versus 3% for all occupations. That is one occupation, not every role. In ISC2’s 2024 survey, 25% of respondents reported layoffs in their cybersecurity departments, but the projection points up, not down.
Is cybersecurity still a good career for a career changer?
BLS notes that some workers enter without a degree, using industry training and certifications. ISC2 reports that hiring managers are prioritizing transferable skills like problem-solving. Expect to show hands-on work, not just a certificate.
Is it hard to get an entry-level cybersecurity job right now?
BLS lists a degree and related work experience as the typical route, and about 14,100 openings a year are projected for information security analysts. Build practical experience, read what local job postings ask for, and apply with real examples of your work.
How much do cybersecurity professionals make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $129,180 for information security analysts in May 2025. For the role you want, check postings near you.
Is cybersecurity too stressful?
The sources in this guide do not measure stress, so we will not guess. Ask people who work in the role you want what their days look like. That is a good way to judge whether it fits you.
The Bottom Line: Is cybersecurity worth it for you?
The outlook is strong. BLS projects 21% growth for information security analysts through 2035 and a median wage of $129,180.
A workforce gap is not a job count. ISC2 says its 4.76 million figure is not an estimate of current openings, so do not plan around it.
Entry takes proof of skill. BLS describes a degree plus related experience as typical, with training and certifications as another route.
Layoffs were reported. A quarter of ISC2 respondents reported them in 2024, so build skills that travel between employers.
AI rewards problem-solving. ISC2 reports that hiring managers are prioritizing transferable skills that complement AI adoption.
Where to go from here
So, is cybersecurity a good career in 2026? Yes, if you go in with realistic expectations, a plan to get hands-on experience and a habit of learning. If you are still unsure, start small: read the BLS page, check job postings in your area, and talk to someone in the field. You can also browse more guides in our cybersecurity articles, or start with the basics in what a firewall is.
If you run a small or mid-sized business, you may be asking a different question: who looks after your IT. CFL Technology Source works as an outsourced IT department in Orlando and Central Florida. Firewall and antivirus can be part of managed IT, depending on the plan, so ask what yours includes. You can learn more on our cybersecurity page. The data cited here comes from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and the ISC2 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study.
Questions about your office IT?
Tell us about your office and we will talk through what makes sense.
Is Cybersecurity Still Worth It in 2026? What the Numbers Say
Is cybersecurity still worth it in 2026? On the official numbers, yes, if you are willing to build real skills. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21% growth for information security analysts from 2025 to 2035, and the median wage was $129,180 in May 2025. Whether it is a good career for you depends on where you start, how you plan to land your first role, and how you handle a field where 25% of ISC2 survey respondents reported layoffs in 2024.
Key takeaways
In this guide
Is cybersecurity still worth it in 2026? The short answer
The data says yes, with conditions. Official projections for demand and pay are strong. But the field is not a sure path. In ISC2’s 2024 survey, 25% of respondents reported layoffs in their cybersecurity departments and 37% reported budget cuts. BLS lists a degree plus related work experience as the typical route in. So is cybersecurity a good career in 2026? It can be if you like solving problems, keep learning and can show hands-on skills.
Pros
Cons
Is cybersecurity in demand? The numbers
Cybersecurity career outlook through 2035
BLS counts about 192,900 information security analyst jobs in 2025 and projects 21% growth through 2035, “much faster than the average for all occupations.” That is one answer to “is cybersecurity dying”: for this occupation, the projection points up. It covers information security analysts, not every security role.
Cybersecurity job market 2026: gap versus real openings
You will often see huge figures for missing cybersecurity workers. ISC2’s 2024 study put the global workforce gap at about 4.76 million people. Read that carefully, because ISC2 itself warns about what it means.
ISC2: The gap “is not an estimate of current job openings for cybersecurity professionals.”
The same ISC2 study found that 64% of respondents believe skills gaps can have a more significant negative impact than a staffing shortage. So the concern is not only headcount, but whether people can do the work.
Cybersecurity salary and the way in
On cybersecurity salary, the official figure is the BLS median of $129,180 a year for information security analysts in May 2025. A median is the midpoint, so half of analysts earn less. That number is for the occupation, not for individual job titles, so check postings for the role you want before you rely on any single figure.
Is a cybersecurity degree worth it?
BLS says analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer science field plus related work experience. It also says some workers enter with a high school diploma and relevant industry training and certifications. So whether a cybersecurity degree is worth it depends on the route you take.
On either route, ISC2 reports that hiring managers are prioritizing transferable skills that complement AI adoption, such as problem-solving. Before you spend money, run through this list.
Is cybersecurity oversaturated, and will AI replace cybersecurity jobs?
Is cybersecurity oversaturated at the entry level?
The data in this guide does not count entry-level applicants, so it cannot show whether the field is oversaturated. BLS describes a degree plus related work experience as the typical route in, and ISC2 reports layoffs and budget cuts among its respondents. If you are looking for a first job, plan for competition and build projects you can show.
Will AI replace cybersecurity jobs?
The data in this guide does not measure how many jobs AI will replace, so nobody can promise you an answer. What ISC2 reports is useful: hiring managers are prioritizing transferable skills that complement AI adoption, such as problem-solving, over technical skills like cloud computing security or risk analysis. A sensible plan is to learn the fundamentals, use AI tools as help, and be able to explain your reasoning.
Running a business, not building a career?
If you need IT that keeps your office running day to day, we can walk you through the options.
Explore Managed IT Services
Frequently asked questions
Is cybersecurity dying?
The BLS projection says the opposite: 21% growth in information security analyst jobs from 2025 to 2035, versus 3% for all occupations. That is one occupation, not every role. In ISC2’s 2024 survey, 25% of respondents reported layoffs in their cybersecurity departments, but the projection points up, not down.
Is cybersecurity still a good career for a career changer?
BLS notes that some workers enter without a degree, using industry training and certifications. ISC2 reports that hiring managers are prioritizing transferable skills like problem-solving. Expect to show hands-on work, not just a certificate.
Is it hard to get an entry-level cybersecurity job right now?
BLS lists a degree and related work experience as the typical route, and about 14,100 openings a year are projected for information security analysts. Build practical experience, read what local job postings ask for, and apply with real examples of your work.
How much do cybersecurity professionals make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $129,180 for information security analysts in May 2025. For the role you want, check postings near you.
Is cybersecurity too stressful?
The sources in this guide do not measure stress, so we will not guess. Ask people who work in the role you want what their days look like. That is a good way to judge whether it fits you.
The Bottom Line: Is cybersecurity worth it for you?
Where to go from here
So, is cybersecurity a good career in 2026? Yes, if you go in with realistic expectations, a plan to get hands-on experience and a habit of learning. If you are still unsure, start small: read the BLS page, check job postings in your area, and talk to someone in the field. You can also browse more guides in our cybersecurity articles, or start with the basics in what a firewall is.
If you run a small or mid-sized business, you may be asking a different question: who looks after your IT. CFL Technology Source works as an outsourced IT department in Orlando and Central Florida. Firewall and antivirus can be part of managed IT, depending on the plan, so ask what yours includes. You can learn more on our cybersecurity page. The data cited here comes from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and the ISC2 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study.
Questions about your office IT?
Tell us about your office and we will talk through what makes sense.
Contact Us Today
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