In a new report from cybersecurity startup Upwind, they analyzed BLS data to identify which U.S. cities are seeing the fastest growth in cybersecurity employment and wages in the past year.
The report, The Cybersecurity Job Index: Where are Positions and Salaries Surging in the U.S.? (https://www.upwind.io/industry-research/cybersecurity-job-index) highlights emerging job hotspots across the country as well as those that are tried and true and still seeing significant growth.
Findings include:
Indianapolis, IN, takes the #1 spot in the index with a 31.8% increase in employment and a 17.2% jump in wages.
Raleigh, NC (#2) and Cleveland, OH (#3) saw job growth surge by 59% and 60%, respectively, significantly outpacing other metros.
The Midwest tech scene is strong, claiming 7 of the top 10 cities, including Indianapolis, Cleveland, Kansas City, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Omaha, and Cincinnati.
Wage growth isn’t just concentrated in the Midwest — Seattle, WA (#10), and San Francisco, CA (#5), remain competitive, offering the highest “real wages” after adjusting for cost of living.
What does this mean for job seekers? With US Infosec job growth projected to grow 33% over the next decade—much faster than the average for all fields—and a global 5 million shortage of professionals, these unexpected hotspots will likely keep growing, and offer professionals the chance to build thriving careers in affordable, rapidly growing markets, without the high costs associated with traditional tech hubs.
The analysis focuses on year-over-year changes, with further analysis in the report for cost of living, to capture a true picture of where opportunities are booming.