Becoming an Information Assurance 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 information assurance courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
information assurance specialists,
computer security specialists,
database administrators,
computer and information scientists,
computer support specialists,
data communications analysts, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 26,130 people employed as
computer and information scientists, research alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$105,370.
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 an Information Assurance Specialist
- IT Companies
- police stations
- hospital
- IT consulting firms
- government agencies
- internet companies
- music companies
- colleges
- universities
- schools
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as an Information Assurance Specialist
- evaluate security
- work with government
- be an expert in technology
- assess risk and vulnerability
- have interesting work
- experience a wide variety of customers
- learn something new everyday
- work in team setting
- receive excellent benefits
- be paid well
Potential Drawbacks
- you may have to work long hours
- work indoors almost all the time
- have to answer to management that may not be able to appreciate what you do
- you don't get to be your own boss
- you have many responsibilities are held directly accountable for them
- technology moves too fast to fully keep up
- highly competitive field for the highest salaries
- you must be able to multitask most of the day
- almost all of your work will require you to sit a the computer
- you will work with difficult people
Related Professions to Consider
- Information Security Assurance Manager
- Systems Analyst - Telephony Specialist
- Training Requirements Specialist
- Quality Management Specialist
- Systems Administrator
- Group Policy editor
- Information Assurance Analyst
- Senior Information Assurance Analyst
- Systems Engineer
- Anti-Hacking specialist
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be an Information Assurance Specialist
- When did you start using computers?
- Are you familiar with and kind of computer programming?
- What are the layers of the OSI Model?
- What certifications do you possess?
- How familiar are you with relational databases?
- What is SQL injection?
- What is Apache?
- Are you comfortable in the windows server environment?
- Do you know the Cisco IOS?
- What Is The Difference Between Wpa And Wpa2?
Common Collaborating Professions
- ITIL Service Management Expert
- Security Certification & Accreditation Specialist
- Logistics Specialist
- Dissemination Specialist
- Help Desk Support Service Specialist
- Communications Specialist
- Documentation Quality Control Specialist
- Principal Security Specialist
- Quality Assurance Specialist
- Program Support Specialist
Information Assurance Specialist Training books
Information Assurance Specialist (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Computing Fundamentals
- Computer Essentials
- Operating Systems I
- Operating Systems II
- Systems Analysis and Design
- Information Security
- User Interface Design
- Formal Internet Languages
- Network Application Services
- Technology, Ethics and the Law
Information Assurance 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 and information scientists, research
| Total # Employed in the US |
26,130 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$50.66/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $29.56 |
$37.8 |
$48.83 |
$61.35 |
$74.72 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$105,370 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $61,480 |
$78,620 |
$101,570 |
$127,600 |
$155,420 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.6% |
6.4% |
17.0% |
10.5% |
44.3% |
18.7% |
2.5% |
|
Computer and information scientists, research — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Colorado |
$58.96/hr
|
$122,650
|
| Missouri |
$58.31/hr
|
$121,280
|
| Wyoming |
$55.23/hr
|
$114,870
|
| North Carolina |
$54.59/hr
|
$113,560
|
| Florida |
$53.41/hr
|
$111,100
|
| Guam |
$52.33/hr
|
$108,850
|
| Mississippi |
$52.22/hr
|
$108,610
|
| Delaware |
$51.94/hr
|
$108,040
|
| Louisiana |
$51.82/hr
|
$107,790
|
| North Dakota |
$51.11/hr
|
$106,310
|
| Arkansas |
$50.03/hr
|
$104,060
|
| Virginia |
$49.84/hr
|
$103,660
|
| Tennessee |
$49.68/hr
|
$103,330
|
| Nebraska |
$49.12/hr
|
$102,180
|
| Alabama |
$48.45/hr
|
$100,770
|
| Idaho |
$48.4/hr
|
$100,670
|
| South Carolina |
$48.39/hr
|
$100,650
|
| Connecticut |
$47.99/hr
|
$99,820
|
| Oklahoma |
$46.86/hr
|
$97,460
|
| Kansas |
$46.26/hr
|
$96,210
|
| Indiana |
$46.2/hr
|
$96,090
|
| Iowa |
$45.24/hr
|
$94,110
|
| Montana |
$44.71/hr
|
$93,000
|
| Washington |
$44.53/hr
|
$92,620
|
| Kentucky |
$44.29/hr
|
$92,120
|
| Wisconsin |
$43.92/hr
|
$91,350
|
| Oregon |
$43.63/hr
|
$90,760
|
| New York |
$42.12/hr
|
$87,600
|
| Hawaii |
$41.58/hr
|
$86,480
|
| Utah |
$41.43/hr
|
$86,180
|
| Ohio |
$41.29/hr
|
$85,890
|
| District of Columbia |
$40.07/hr
|
$83,340
|
| South Dakota |
$39.59/hr
|
$82,340
|
| Massachusetts |
$38.73/hr
|
$80,550
|
| Nevada |
$38.3/hr
|
$79,660
|
| New Mexico |
$37.35/hr
|
$77,680
|
| Maine |
$37.05/hr
|
$77,070
|
| New Hampshire |
$33.4/hr
|
$69,460
|
| New Jersey |
$26.47/hr
|
$55,060
|
Category: Medical records and health information technicians
| Total # Employed in the US |
170,580 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$16.29/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $10.03 |
$11.96 |
$15.04 |
$19.49 |
$24.76 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$33,880 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20,850 |
$24,870 |
$31,290 |
$40,540 |
$51,510 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 3.7% |
34.2% |
31.6% |
16.1% |
12.3% |
1.3% |
0.8% |
|
Medical records and health information technicians — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$21.99/hr
|
$45,750
|
| Indiana |
$19.88/hr
|
$41,340
|
| Florida |
$19.85/hr
|
$41,290
|
| Alaska |
$18.99/hr
|
$39,490
|
| Mississippi |
$18.91/hr
|
$39,330
|
| Missouri |
$18.9/hr
|
$39,310
|
| Colorado |
$18.53/hr
|
$38,550
|
| Oklahoma |
$18.33/hr
|
$38,130
|
| Connecticut |
$18.15/hr
|
$37,750
|
| Nebraska |
$18.09/hr
|
$37,630
|
| Virginia |
$17.67/hr
|
$36,760
|
| Delaware |
$17.47/hr
|
$36,350
|
| New York |
$17.23/hr
|
$35,850
|
| Tennessee |
$16.81/hr
|
$34,970
|
| Montana |
$16.49/hr
|
$34,290
|
| Kansas |
$16.33/hr
|
$33,960
|
| Arkansas |
$16.15/hr
|
$33,590
|
| Puerto Rico |
$15.79/hr
|
$32,840
|
| North Carolina |
$15.69/hr
|
$32,630
|
| New Mexico |
$15.47/hr
|
$32,180
|
| Utah |
$15.46/hr
|
$32,150
|
| Wyoming |
$15.46/hr
|
$32,150
|
| Hawaii |
$15.45/hr
|
$32,130
|
| Iowa |
$15.33/hr
|
$31,880
|
| District of Columbia |
$15.31/hr
|
$31,840
|
| South Carolina |
$15.31/hr
|
$31,840
|
| Washington |
$15.27/hr
|
$31,770
|
| New Hampshire |
$15.21/hr
|
$31,630
|
| Maryland |
$15.12/hr
|
$31,440
|
| Maine |
$15.07/hr
|
$31,350
|
| West Virginia |
$15.05/hr
|
$31,310
|
| Michigan |
$15/hr
|
$31,210
|
| Louisiana |
$14.94/hr
|
$31,080
|
| Kentucky |
$14.9/hr
|
$30,990
|
| Guam |
$14.87/hr
|
$30,930
|
| Ohio |
$14.85/hr
|
$30,890
|
| New Jersey |
$14.81/hr
|
$30,800
|
| Oregon |
$14.78/hr
|
$30,750
|
| Wisconsin |
$14.76/hr
|
$30,710
|
| California |
$14.66/hr
|
$30,500
|
| Pennsylvania |
$14.61/hr
|
$30,380
|
| South Dakota |
$14.51/hr
|
$30,190
|
| Idaho |
$14.32/hr
|
$29,790
|
| Alabama |
$13.85/hr
|
$28,800
|
| Massachusetts |
$13.73/hr
|
$28,550
|
| Nevada |
$12.72/hr
|
$26,460
|
Category: All other information and record clerks
| Total # Employed in the US |
212,090 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$17.45/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $10.78 |
$13.39 |
$17.09 |
$21.09 |
$24.72 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$36,300 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $22,430 |
$27,850 |
$35,550 |
$43,870 |
$51,420 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.4% |
26.2% |
34.8% |
17.8% |
14.6% |
3.0% |
1.1% |
|
All other information and record clerks — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Florida |
$21.63/hr
|
$44,980
|
| Mississippi |
$19.98/hr
|
$41,560
|
| Delaware |
$19.87/hr
|
$41,330
|
| Alaska |
$19.42/hr
|
$40,390
|
| West Virginia |
$19.09/hr
|
$39,700
|
| District of Columbia |
$18.91/hr
|
$39,330
|
| Oklahoma |
$18.76/hr
|
$39,030
|
| Indiana |
$18.71/hr
|
$38,910
|
| Missouri |
$18.55/hr
|
$38,590
|
| Colorado |
$18.47/hr
|
$38,420
|
| Utah |
$18.43/hr
|
$38,340
|
| North Dakota |
$18.27/hr
|
$38,000
|
| Idaho |
$18.23/hr
|
$37,910
|
| Connecticut |
$18.17/hr
|
$37,790
|
| Nevada |
$18.08/hr
|
$37,610
|
| Kansas |
$17.75/hr
|
$36,910
|
| Alabama |
$17.61/hr
|
$36,630
|
| Arkansas |
$17.47/hr
|
$36,340
|
| South Dakota |
$17.39/hr
|
$36,170
|
| Nebraska |
$17.23/hr
|
$35,830
|
| Maine |
$17.04/hr
|
$35,450
|
| Washington |
$17/hr
|
$35,360
|
| Wyoming |
$16.9/hr
|
$35,160
|
| New York |
$16.9/hr
|
$35,150
|
| Virginia |
$16.87/hr
|
$35,100
|
| New Hampshire |
$16.86/hr
|
$35,070
|
| Iowa |
$16.84/hr
|
$35,030
|
| South Carolina |
$16.83/hr
|
$35,010
|
| Puerto Rico |
$16.73/hr
|
$34,800
|
| New Mexico |
$16.55/hr
|
$34,430
|
| Ohio |
$16.49/hr
|
$34,300
|
| Wisconsin |
$16.43/hr
|
$34,180
|
| Louisiana |
$16.4/hr
|
$34,100
|
| Maryland |
$16.38/hr
|
$34,070
|
| Oregon |
$16.36/hr
|
$34,030
|
| Kentucky |
$16.23/hr
|
$33,760
|
| New Jersey |
$16.19/hr
|
$33,680
|
| Guam |
$16.06/hr
|
$33,400
|
| California |
$15.94/hr
|
$33,160
|
| Hawaii |
$15.91/hr
|
$33,090
|
| Montana |
$15.82/hr
|
$32,900
|
| Pennsylvania |
$15.67/hr
|
$32,590
|
| Massachusetts |
$14.7/hr
|
$30,580
|
| Tennessee |
$14.19/hr
|
$29,520
|
| Michigan |
$13.4/hr
|
$27,870
|
| North Carolina |
$13.21/hr
|
$27,470
|
Category: Computer Security Specialists
| 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% |
|
