Becoming a Computer Security Specialist via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Kaplan University, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering computer security courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
computer security specialists,
computer and information scientists,
computer support specialists,
information systems security analysts,
network security specialists, etc.
Computer and information systems managers make on average $120,640
per year and there are about 287,210
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Kaplan University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Computer Security Specialist
- Government office
- University
- Software developer
- Patent office
- Manufacturing corporation
- Internet provider
- Scientific company
- Research laboratory
- Healthcare organization
- Military
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Computer Security Specialist
- Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized use
- Communicate with others on a regular basis
- Process information
- Design and implement mechanisms and programs
- Job security
- Modify computer security files to incorporate new software corrections
- Attention to detail
- Face to face discussions
- Freedom to make decisions
- Importance of being exact or accurate
Potential Drawbacks
- Requires high stress tolerance
- Less predictable hours
- Advanced education required
- High responsibility
- Spend time sitting
- Importance of being exact or accurate
- Must handle emergencies
- Analyze data or information
- Requires persistence in the face of obstacles
- Requires flexibility
Related Professions to Consider
- IT Security Specialist
- Computer Support Specialist
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Desktop Publisher
- Electrical and Electronics Repairer
- Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmer
- Computer Scientist
- Operations Research Analyst
- Software Engineer
- Network Administrator
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Computer Security Specialist
- What are some of your strengths?
- Do you prefer to work along or in teams?
- What interests you about computer security?
- What skills will you bring to this organization?
- How do you handle conflict between team members?
- What are you looking for in an employer?
- In what ways do you hope to grow professionally?
- What areas of computer security would you like more training in?
- Why do you think you are a good fit for this position?
- What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Computer Scientist
- IT Specialist
- Software Engineer
- Computer Support Specialist
- Secretary
- Office Manager
- Computer Network Administrator
- Forensics Specialist
- Professor
- Computer Database Administrator
Computer Security Specialist Training books
Computer Security Specialist (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Using Cryptography Correctly
- Writing Secure Code
- Security Protocols
- Computer Security Management - Recent Threats, Trends and the Law
- Emerging Threats and Defenses
- Securing Web Applications
- Web Security 2.0: AJAX, Mashups, and Social Networking
- Network Administration
- Software Methodology
- Computability and Computational Complexity
Computer Security Specialist Salary Information
Category: Computer and information systems managers
| Total # Employed in the US |
287,210 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$58.0/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $33.61 |
$42.9 |
$54.67 |
$69.03 |
$0.0 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$120,640 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $69,900 |
$89,240 |
$113,720 |
$143,590 |
$0 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.6% |
4.5% |
15.7% |
9.2% |
45.6% |
22.2% |
2.2% |
|
Computer and information systems managers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$67.25/hr
|
$139,880
|
| Oklahoma |
$66.36/hr
|
$138,020
|
| Colorado |
$65.73/hr
|
$136,720
|
| Missouri |
$63.92/hr
|
$132,950
|
| Florida |
$62.41/hr
|
$129,820
|
| District of Columbia |
$62.29/hr
|
$129,560
|
| Connecticut |
$60.66/hr
|
$126,160
|
| Mississippi |
$60.15/hr
|
$125,110
|
| Utah |
$58.75/hr
|
$122,200
|
| Virginia |
$57.9/hr
|
$120,440
|
| North Carolina |
$57.89/hr
|
$120,420
|
| Wyoming |
$57.85/hr
|
$120,320
|
| Hawaii |
$57.32/hr
|
$119,230
|
| Nebraska |
$56.97/hr
|
$118,490
|
| Oregon |
$56.47/hr
|
$117,470
|
| Tennessee |
$55.96/hr
|
$116,390
|
| Kansas |
$54.69/hr
|
$113,760
|
| Delaware |
$54.6/hr
|
$113,570
|
| Idaho |
$54.19/hr
|
$112,720
|
| South Carolina |
$53.76/hr
|
$111,820
|
| Arkansas |
$51.07/hr
|
$106,220
|
| Montana |
$50.7/hr
|
$105,460
|
| New York |
$50.68/hr
|
$105,410
|
| New Hampshire |
$50.25/hr
|
$104,530
|
| Puerto Rico |
$50/hr
|
$104,000
|
| Indiana |
$49.84/hr
|
$103,660
|
| Alabama |
$49.15/hr
|
$102,230
|
| Louisiana |
$48.35/hr
|
$100,580
|
| California |
$47.75/hr
|
$99,320
|
| Guam |
$47.67/hr
|
$99,150
|
| New Mexico |
$47.62/hr
|
$99,040
|
| Maine |
$46.92/hr
|
$97,590
|
| Ohio |
$46.75/hr
|
$97,230
|
| Kentucky |
$46.15/hr
|
$95,990
|
| Washington |
$46.06/hr
|
$95,810
|
| Maryland |
$45.12/hr
|
$93,850
|
| New Jersey |
$44.77/hr
|
$93,120
|
| West Virginia |
$44.44/hr
|
$92,430
|
| Michigan |
$44.25/hr
|
$92,030
|
| Alaska |
$43.3/hr
|
$90,050
|
| Wisconsin |
$42.62/hr
|
$88,650
|
| Iowa |
$42.54/hr
|
$88,480
|
| South Dakota |
$41.12/hr
|
$85,530
|
| Massachusetts |
$38.85/hr
|
$80,820
|
| Pennsylvania |
$38.46/hr
|
$80,000
|
| Nevada |
$37.32/hr
|
$77,630
|
Category: Computer support specialists
| Total # Employed in the US |
540,560 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$22.77/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $13.08 |
$16.5 |
$21.3 |
$27.54 |
$34.95 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$47,360 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $27,200 |
$34,320 |
$44,300 |
$57,290 |
$72,690 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.0% |
12.5% |
29.4% |
16.0% |
33.1% |
7.2% |
0.9% |
|
Computer support specialists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Missouri |
$28.96/hr
|
$60,230
|
| Florida |
$27.85/hr
|
$57,920
|
| Delaware |
$26.89/hr
|
$55,920
|
| District of Columbia |
$26.27/hr
|
$54,630
|
| Colorado |
$25.52/hr
|
$53,080
|
| Oklahoma |
$25.27/hr
|
$52,570
|
| Mississippi |
$24.98/hr
|
$51,950
|
| Connecticut |
$24.9/hr
|
$51,790
|
| North Dakota |
$24.62/hr
|
$51,210
|
| Kansas |
$24.53/hr
|
$51,010
|
| Arkansas |
$23.27/hr
|
$48,400
|
| North Carolina |
$23.01/hr
|
$47,860
|
| Nebraska |
$22.93/hr
|
$47,700
|
| Wyoming |
$22.76/hr
|
$47,330
|
| Indiana |
$22.71/hr
|
$47,240
|
| Idaho |
$22.64/hr
|
$47,100
|
| Alaska |
$22.63/hr
|
$47,070
|
| New York |
$22.42/hr
|
$46,630
|
| Puerto Rico |
$22.3/hr
|
$46,380
|
| Oregon |
$22.1/hr
|
$45,960
|
| Ohio |
$21.73/hr
|
$45,190
|
| Tennessee |
$21.47/hr
|
$44,650
|
| Montana |
$21.32/hr
|
$44,350
|
| Virginia |
$21.25/hr
|
$44,210
|
| New Hampshire |
$20.79/hr
|
$43,250
|
| Utah |
$20.79/hr
|
$43,250
|
| Wisconsin |
$20.78/hr
|
$43,220
|
| Massachusetts |
$20.74/hr
|
$43,150
|
| Guam |
$20.59/hr
|
$42,830
|
| Michigan |
$20.31/hr
|
$42,250
|
| Alabama |
$20.16/hr
|
$41,940
|
| Louisiana |
$20.12/hr
|
$41,850
|
| South Carolina |
$20.07/hr
|
$41,750
|
| Washington |
$20.02/hr
|
$41,640
|
| Maine |
$19.75/hr
|
$41,090
|
| Kentucky |
$19.54/hr
|
$40,630
|
| Hawaii |
$19.39/hr
|
$40,320
|
| New Mexico |
$19.33/hr
|
$40,200
|
| Iowa |
$19.31/hr
|
$40,160
|
| Maryland |
$19.13/hr
|
$39,780
|
| Nevada |
$18.59/hr
|
$38,670
|
| New Jersey |
$18.2/hr
|
$37,850
|
| South Dakota |
$18.03/hr
|
$37,500
|
| California |
$18.02/hr
|
$37,480
|
| Pennsylvania |
$17.95/hr
|
$37,350
|
| West Virginia |
$16.89/hr
|
$35,140
|
Category: Database administrators
| Total # Employed in the US |
108,080 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$35.72/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $19.61 |
$25.71 |
$34.4 |
$44.83 |
$54.9 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$74,290 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $40,780 |
$53,470 |
$71,550 |
$93,260 |
$114,200 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.4% |
4.3% |
16.6% |
9.6% |
47.4% |
19.5% |
2.2% |
|
Database administrators — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Mississippi |
$40.53/hr
|
$84,300
|
| District of Columbia |
$40.17/hr
|
$83,560
|
| Oklahoma |
$39.56/hr
|
$82,290
|
| Colorado |
$39.41/hr
|
$81,970
|
| North Dakota |
$39.14/hr
|
$81,410
|
| Virginia |
$38.98/hr
|
$81,080
|
| North Carolina |
$38.92/hr
|
$80,950
|
| Nebraska |
$38.23/hr
|
$79,520
|
| Florida |
$38.12/hr
|
$79,300
|
| Missouri |
$37.71/hr
|
$78,430
|
| Alaska |
$37.17/hr
|
$77,320
|
| Oregon |
$36.82/hr
|
$76,590
|
| Delaware |
$36.58/hr
|
$76,090
|
| Tennessee |
$36.14/hr
|
$75,180
|
| Guam |
$36.13/hr
|
$75,150
|
| Kansas |
$35.9/hr
|
$74,670
|
| Idaho |
$35.57/hr
|
$73,990
|
| Connecticut |
$35.42/hr
|
$73,680
|
| New York |
$34.99/hr
|
$72,790
|
| New Mexico |
$34.53/hr
|
$71,810
|
| Utah |
$34.53/hr
|
$71,820
|
| Wyoming |
$34.22/hr
|
$71,170
|
| Montana |
$33.6/hr
|
$69,890
|
| Hawaii |
$33.48/hr
|
$69,640
|
| South Carolina |
$33.36/hr
|
$69,390
|
| Michigan |
$33.23/hr
|
$69,120
|
| Louisiana |
$32.63/hr
|
$67,860
|
| Arkansas |
$32.46/hr
|
$67,520
|
| Maine |
$32.35/hr
|
$67,280
|
| Wisconsin |
$31.95/hr
|
$66,460
|
| Indiana |
$31.72/hr
|
$65,970
|
| New Hampshire |
$31.4/hr
|
$65,320
|
| Ohio |
$31.35/hr
|
$65,200
|
| Iowa |
$31.32/hr
|
$65,150
|
| Pennsylvania |
$31/hr
|
$64,490
|
| West Virginia |
$30.84/hr
|
$64,150
|
| Washington |
$29.7/hr
|
$61,770
|
| Alabama |
$29.59/hr
|
$61,540
|
| Massachusetts |
$29.43/hr
|
$61,220
|
| Kentucky |
$29.37/hr
|
$61,090
|
| California |
$29.31/hr
|
$60,960
|
| South Dakota |
$28.4/hr
|
$59,080
|
| Maryland |
$28.17/hr
|
$58,590
|
| Puerto Rico |
$26.75/hr
|
$55,630
|
| Nevada |
$24.85/hr
|
$51,680
|
| New Jersey |
$24.05/hr
|
$50,020
|
Category: Network and computer systems administrators
| Total # Employed in the US |
338,890 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$34.1/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20.16 |
$25.45 |
$32.55 |
$41.26 |
$50.95 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$70,930 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $41,940 |
$52,940 |
$67,710 |
$85,830 |
$105,970 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.7% |
8.4% |
25.2% |
15.5% |
39.0% |
10.2% |
1.0% |
|
Network and computer systems administrators — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$39.02/hr
|
$81,160
|
| Mississippi |
$38.51/hr
|
$80,100
|
| Colorado |
$38.38/hr
|
$79,830
|
| Florida |
$38.06/hr
|
$79,170
|
| Oklahoma |
$37.96/hr
|
$78,960
|
| Missouri |
$37.31/hr
|
$77,600
|
| Connecticut |
$36.59/hr
|
$76,110
|
| Kansas |
$36.19/hr
|
$75,260
|
| Delaware |
$35.29/hr
|
$73,400
|
| Utah |
$34.54/hr
|
$71,840
|
| Idaho |
$34.13/hr
|
$70,980
|
| Virginia |
$33.9/hr
|
$70,520
|
| Nebraska |
$33.67/hr
|
$70,040
|
| Hawaii |
$33.42/hr
|
$69,520
|
| Oregon |
$33.05/hr
|
$68,750
|
| Wyoming |
$32.52/hr
|
$67,630
|
| Tennessee |
$32.46/hr
|
$67,520
|
| New Hampshire |
$32.32/hr
|
$67,220
|
| Montana |
$31.98/hr
|
$66,520
|
| Arkansas |
$31.91/hr
|
$66,380
|
| Alaska |
$31.73/hr
|
$65,990
|
| North Carolina |
$31.64/hr
|
$65,800
|
| District of Columbia |
$31.49/hr
|
$65,500
|
| Indiana |
$30.93/hr
|
$64,340
|
| Guam |
$30.67/hr
|
$63,790
|
| Alabama |
$30.48/hr
|
$63,390
|
| New Mexico |
$30.27/hr
|
$62,960
|
| Wisconsin |
$30.2/hr
|
$62,810
|
| New York |
$30.08/hr
|
$62,560
|
| Washington |
$30.07/hr
|
$62,540
|
| South Carolina |
$29.96/hr
|
$62,310
|
| Louisiana |
$29.66/hr
|
$61,700
|
| Puerto Rico |
$29.66/hr
|
$61,690
|
| Maine |
$29.13/hr
|
$60,590
|
| Michigan |
$28.77/hr
|
$59,830
|
| California |
$28.46/hr
|
$59,200
|
| Kentucky |
$28.29/hr
|
$58,850
|
| Iowa |
$27.77/hr
|
$57,750
|
| Ohio |
$27.52/hr
|
$57,230
|
| Massachusetts |
$26.89/hr
|
$55,930
|
| South Dakota |
$25.93/hr
|
$53,930
|
| Nevada |
$25.17/hr
|
$52,360
|
| West Virginia |
$25.11/hr
|
$52,230
|
| Maryland |
$24.97/hr
|
$51,940
|
| New Jersey |
$24.85/hr
|
$51,690
|
| Pennsylvania |
$24.84/hr
|
$51,660
|
Category: Network systems and data communications analysts
| Total # Employed in the US |
226,080 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$36.81/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20.62 |
$26.88 |
$35.22 |
$45.35 |
$55.83 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$76,560 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $42,880 |
$55,900 |
$73,250 |
$94,320 |
$116,120 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.7% |
8.1% |
21.6% |
13.5% |
42.8% |
12.1% |
1.2% |
|
Network systems and data communications analysts — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$43.33/hr
|
$90,120
|
| Colorado |
$40.96/hr
|
$85,190
|
| Mississippi |
$40.81/hr
|
$84,880
|
| District of Columbia |
$40.44/hr
|
$84,110
|
| Florida |
$40.15/hr
|
$83,510
|
| Nebraska |
$40/hr
|
$83,210
|
| Missouri |
$39.49/hr
|
$82,140
|
| Oklahoma |
$38.92/hr
|
$80,950
|
| New Hampshire |
$38.7/hr
|
$80,490
|
| Connecticut |
$37.59/hr
|
$78,190
|
| Utah |
$37.49/hr
|
$77,970
|
| New York |
$37.22/hr
|
$77,410
|
| Idaho |
$37.11/hr
|
$77,200
|
| Wyoming |
$36.74/hr
|
$76,420
|
| Oregon |
$36.14/hr
|
$75,170
|
| Delaware |
$35.81/hr
|
$74,490
|
| Virginia |
$35.5/hr
|
$73,830
|
| Kansas |
$35.31/hr
|
$73,450
|
| Guam |
$35.25/hr
|
$73,320
|
| Montana |
$34.83/hr
|
$72,440
|
| South Carolina |
$34.38/hr
|
$71,510
|
| Hawaii |
$33.64/hr
|
$69,960
|
| Arkansas |
$33.17/hr
|
$69,000
|
| Wisconsin |
$32.94/hr
|
$68,520
|
| California |
$32.84/hr
|
$68,300
|
| North Carolina |
$32.8/hr
|
$68,220
|
| Tennessee |
$32.37/hr
|
$67,330
|
| Puerto Rico |
$32.11/hr
|
$66,780
|
| Alaska |
$31.91/hr
|
$66,370
|
| Louisiana |
$31.87/hr
|
$66,280
|
| New Mexico |
$31.38/hr
|
$65,270
|
| Indiana |
$31.33/hr
|
$65,160
|
| Kentucky |
$30.72/hr
|
$63,910
|
| Maine |
$30.24/hr
|
$62,900
|
| Michigan |
$30.15/hr
|
$62,720
|
| Washington |
$30.15/hr
|
$62,710
|
| Alabama |
$29.99/hr
|
$62,390
|
| Ohio |
$29.77/hr
|
$61,930
|
| Iowa |
$28.94/hr
|
$60,190
|
| Pennsylvania |
$28.44/hr
|
$59,160
|
| South Dakota |
$28.43/hr
|
$59,130
|
| Maryland |
$28.43/hr
|
$59,130
|
| Nevada |
$28.01/hr
|
$58,270
|
| New Jersey |
$27.45/hr
|
$57,100
|
| West Virginia |
$26.47/hr
|
$55,060
|
| Massachusetts |
$26.1/hr
|
$54,290
|
