Cybersecurity Jobs in Chicago

Key takeaways

• With a large population, a strong economy, statewide initiatives to support cybersecurity, and its position as a major global business hub, Chicago, Illinois, is a promising location for pursuing cybersecurity jobs.

• Entry-level cybersecurity jobs in Chicago typically require communication and problem-solving skills as well as knowledge of coding, operating systems, penetration testing, and risk assessment.

• Cybersecurity analyst jobs in Chicago earn a median total pay of $139,000 [1], and in this role, you specialize in identifying and preventing cyberattacks against infrastructure and systems.

Discover the types of cybersecurity jobs in Chicago and learn about the skills that can help you obtain a role, as well as options for gaining these skills. To learn in-demand skills that can help you prepare for a role in cybersecurity, enroll in the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate program, where you can gain experience with tools including Bash, Linux, and Python.

Is Chicago a good city for a cybersecurity career?

Due to its size, strong economy, and dedication to cybersecurity initiatives, Chicago offers many cybersecurity jobs you can explore. Chicago is the third-most populous city in the US [2] and is a prime location for cybersecurity jobs. The increasing use of technology across organizations today has led to a surge of professions tailored to provide security for devices and their data. Companies understand the importance of employing qualified experts to protect their resources and prevent cybercrimes.

Additionally, 30 percent of respondents to the 2025 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study cite the inability to find people with the skills they need as the leading cause of skills shortages in the industry, underscoring the need for skilled cybersecurity workers [3]. With high demand for these careers, you can explore a cybersecurity path that aligns with your career goals and skill set across various businesses in Chicago.

As a major hub of global business, Chicago will likely see increased demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals to manage its evolving cybersecurity needs. The city also benefits from initiatives spearheaded by the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, such as the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), which awards grants to eligible entities to address cybersecurity risks and threats to Illinois state, local, and tribal governments [4]. The city's abundance of present industries and companies allows you to pursue your interests and focus on a pathway that matches your skill set.

Cybersecurity jobs: Chicago, IL

Illinois ranks 11th for cybersecurity talent, according to Business Facilities' 2025 State Rankings in its 21st Annual Rankings Report [5], and Cyberseek shows that 71 percent of the cybersecurity job openings in the state are in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area as of September 2026 [6]. Nationally, you can expect demand for cybersecurity jobs to grow much faster than average over the next decade. From 2025 to 2035, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects cybersecurity jobs will see job growth of 21 percent, well beyond the average of 3 percent growth for all jobs in the US [7].

Below are a few examples of cybersecurity careers you can pursue in Chicago.

* All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of September 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Penetration tester

Median total pay in Chicago (Glassdoor): $155,000 [8]

As a penetration tester, you locate and fix security weaknesses within an organization's systems and devices. This role is increasingly prevalent in industries that frequently handle sensitive data. A penetration tester's duties are similar to those of an ethical hacker.

2. Cloud security specialist

Median total pay in the US (Glassdoor): $144,000 [9]

This role deals with various cloud services and platforms to identify security weaknesses and develop solutions that enhance an organization's overall system security. Once a cloud system is running, you're tasked with tracking potential threats and helping to respond to security situations.

3. Incident response engineer

Median total pay in the US (Glassdoor): $135,000 [10]

Incident response engineers are on the front lines of handling cybersecurity threats using forensics to secure cloud systems. Other tasks may include auditing an organization’s security and testing system weaknesses through vulnerability testing.

4. Cybersecurity analyst

Median total pay in Chicago (Glassdoor): $139,000 [1]

Analysts in cybersecurity specialize in identifying cyber threats and preventing attacks against a company's infrastructure and systems. In this role, you analyze vulnerabilities, build software tools to aid in protection, and maintain security protocols.

5. Ethical hacker

Median total pay in Chicago (Glassdoor): $194,000 [11]

Ethical hackers perform penetration testing on an organization's computer systems to find areas that hackers may potentially target. In this role, you will conduct security-focused assessments and model threats to advise your employer on where to direct improvement efforts.

6. Identity and access management architect

Median total pay in the US (Glassdoor): $149,000 [12]

In this role, you create and implement systems for organizations that manage users' access to internal resources and data, such as single sign-on (SSO) applications. Identity and access management architects identify weaknesses by conducting user testing to boost the security of systems and the data contained within them.

What is the salary for cybersecurity specialist jobs in Chicago, Illinois?

According to Glassdoor, the median annual total pay for a cybersecurity specialist in Chicago is $156,000. This figure includes additional pay such as bonuses, commissions, and profit sharing. The median total pay for entry-level cybersecurity specialists (0 to 1 year of experience) is $118,000, while the median total pay for an advanced senior-level position (15 or more years of experience) is $188,000 [13].

Essential skills for cybersecurity jobs

Careers in the cybersecurity industry demand a particular set of technical and workplace skills. To stand out during the application process, refining your cybersecurity skills and improving in essential areas are great ways to be more competitive and attract job offers. Below are some necessary workplace and technical skills for cybersecurity jobs.

Communication

As with many jobs, employers desire candidates with strong communication skills. In the cybersecurity industry, having verbal and written communication skills can increase your value to a potential employer. When handling security threats, you need to explain issues or the pathway to a possible solution to coworkers who may not have the same technical understanding.

Problem-solving

As a cybersecurity professional, you continually adapt how you discover potential threats to your network and defend against attackers. Having the agility to tackle new challenges requires making creative problem-solving and critical thinking as part of your routine.

Coding

As a cybersecurity professional, dealing with applications on the web and various online sources exposes you to different programming languages. Coding and programming languages are core skills in cybersecurity because you use them to protect an organization's systems from attacks. Languages you may want to learn include HTML, CSS, C#, C++, Python, Java, and MySQL.

Operating systems

As a cybersecurity professional, you assess the security risks of all operating systems. Having a strong knowledge of the various systems you can handle will allow you to be prepared for stressful situations. Operating systems to become familiar with include macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Penetration testing

Many cybersecurity roles involve conducting penetration testing, which can be required for many cybersecurity specialists. With experience in penetration testing, you can provide value to an organization by testing its systems for vulnerabilities and advising them on what areas need upgrades to defend against hackers.

Risk assessment

A core part of cybersecurity jobs is mitigating risk by finding weaknesses in systems to prevent various threats. By understanding your organization's risks, you can determine which strategies may help stop potential attacks. Conducting thorough risk assessments may also be part of your job in cybersecurity. These help you find the most detrimental vulnerabilities within a system to focus on.

Additional skills

Additional workplace skills common in the cybersecurity industry include:

• Critical thinking

• Attention to detail

• Adaptability

• Collaboration

Beyond the technical skills already described, some additional skills and knowledge that may be valuable to you as a cybersecurity professional include:

• Security information and event management (SIEM)

• Computer science fundamentals

• Hacking

• Computer forensics

• Security auditing

• Cloud security

How to gain the skills you need for cybersecurity jobs in Chicago

With a growing demand and lucrative salaries, cybersecurity jobs require specific skills to succeed. Understanding how to acquire these skills through education, experience, boot camps, and certifications is a great place to start your journey into pursuing these roles.

Education

Professionals in cybersecurity typically have a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or another related subject, such as computer science, computer engineering, cybersecurity operations, and others. However, it is possible to land a cybersecurity job with an associate degree or no related degree. Two-year associate degree programs can help you gain the skills needed to secure entry-level positions. If you do not have a degree, gaining relevant experience or completing boot camps and certifications can help you gain the proper qualifications.

As you progress through your career, completing a master’s degree could help you to reach a senior-level cybersecurity role. Companies tend to look at candidates with master’s degrees for positions where you may be in charge of teaching other professionals cybersecurity skills or dealing with public policy.

Read more: Is a Computer Science Degree Worth It?

Experience

It is common for employers hiring cybersecurity professionals to prefer candidates with some experience in the field. Gaining relevant experience through internships is a great option to begin your career. Many industries offer cybersecurity internships, even companies that are not technology-focused.

If you're already a professional in a different type of role, your current experience may be applicable to help you qualify for a cybersecurity job. Transitioning from another career path is not uncommon for cybersecurity workers today. Examples of other disciplines with relevant experience include information technology (IT), software development, systems engineering, and security, but you can also transition from a non-technical role.

Boot camps

Completing a cybersecurity boot camp is another great way to gain the necessary skills for cybersecurity jobs. Boot camps can help you prepare to pursue entry-level roles within a year by giving you exposure to industry experts and real-world scenarios that help you gain a full understanding of key concepts. Full-time workers looking to alter career paths into cybersecurity find value in boot camps because they allow you to handle your day job in parallel with pursuing professional development in cybersecurity.

Certifications

Certifications offer a great way to gain the skills to land your first cybersecurity role and advance within the industry. Many jobs in the cybersecurity industry mandate a certification to qualify.

Completing certifications usually requires passing a test and meeting professional work experience criteria. Having certifications when applying for jobs allows you to show employers that you have gained the proper skill set and knowledge in the required disciplines to be successful in a cybersecurity role. Many certifications are available for you to pursue, but a few of the top options offered today include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This certification is designed for experienced cybersecurity professionals who want to showcase their knowledge in security practices and principles.

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): Earning this credential proves to employers your expertise and ability to audit, monitor, and assess IT and business systems.

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): This certification validates your ability to gauge risks, respond to incidents, and provide good leadership. The CISM ensures you're up to date on security threats and industry requirements.

Stay in the loop on industry trends and cybersecurity career tips

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• Take a quiz: Cybersecurity Career Quiz: Is It Right for You? Find Out in 1 Minute

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