U.S. employers posted 514,359 cybersecurity job listings in the 12 months through April 2025, up 12% from the year before, while 1,337,400 people worked in cybersecurity-related jobs, according to CyberSeek. Its supply-demand ratio of 74% means the available talent pool falls short of what employers want. ISC2's most recent global estimate put the workforce gap at 4.8 million in 2024, and 59% of security professionals now report critical or significant skills needs on their teams.
514,359U.S. cybersecurity job postings in 12 months
1,337,400U.S. workers in cybersecurity-related jobs
74%CyberSeek supply-demand ratio
4.8 millionGlobal workforce gap, 2024 (ISC2)
How many cybersecurity jobs are open
- U.S. employers posted 514,359 cybersecurity-related job listings over 12 months (May 2024-April 2025). (CyberSeek)
- That was up nearly 57,000 listings, or 12%, from the prior 12-month period. (CyberSeek)
- Oversight and Governance was the largest NICE Framework category of postings (355,590), followed by Implementation and Operation (335,993) and Design and Development (331,644); categories overlap. (CyberSeek)
- Cybersecurity recruiting periods are 21% longer than average. (CyberSeek)
- About 10% of employers recruiting for cybersecurity roles explicitly cited AI as a skill requirement. (CyberSeek)
How big the cybersecurity workforce is
- CyberSeek estimates 1,337,400 U.S. workers are employed in cybersecurity-related jobs. (CyberSeek)
- CyberSeek's first global estimate puts cybersecurity employment at about 4.97 million (range 4.4-5.5 million), including adjacent IT staff with major security duties. (CyberSeek)
- ISC2 estimated the global cybersecurity workforce at 5.5 million in 2024, up just 0.1% year over year. (ISC2)
- Information security analysts held about 192,900 U.S. jobs in 2025. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Is there really a cybersecurity talent shortage?
Shortage figures describe demand for skilled, experienced staff. Entry-level hiring is tighter: 56% of AI-using security professionals say AI has reduced the need for entry-level positions.
- CyberSeek's supply-demand ratio is 74%, meaning the available talent pool falls short of employer demand. (CyberSeek)
- ISC2 estimated a global cybersecurity workforce gap of 4.8 million in 2024, up 19% year over year. (ISC2)
- ISC2's 2025 Workforce Study did not publish a workforce-gap estimate, shifting focus to skills needs. (ISC2)
- 33% of respondents said their organizations lack resources to adequately staff security teams; 29% can't afford staff with needed skills. (ISC2)
- Reports of security budget cuts (36%) and layoffs (24%) each eased by one percentage point in 2025. (ISC2)
The cybersecurity skills gap
- 95% of cybersecurity professionals report at least one skill need on their team, and 59% report critical or significant needs. (ISC2)
- AI was the most-cited skill need (41%), ahead of cloud security (36%). (ISC2)
- Hiring managers prioritize cloud security (29%) and AI (27%) skills when hiring. (ISC2)
- 88% have experienced at least one significant security consequence because of a skills shortage. (ISC2)
How people get into cybersecurity
- IT experience remains the main pathway into cybersecurity, cited by 56% of professionals. (ISC2)
- Among cyber professionals aged 21-29, 38% entered via IT, 38% via other routes, and 23% by completing a cybersecurity degree. (ISC2)
- 90% of cyber hiring managers would consider candidates with only IT work experience and 89% with only an entry-level cert, versus 81% with only a degree. (ISC2)
- 56% of hiring managers say training entry-level cyber staff to work independently takes 4-9 months. (ISC2)
- By May 2026, 56% of AI-using cyber professionals said AI had reduced the need for entry-level positions over the past year; 12% said it increased need. (ISC2)
- 53% believe AI is creating new types of entry-level cybersecurity roles. (ISC2)
Build both halves: a degree or certification plus hands-on IT experience. Compare cybersecurity bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certifications.
Cybersecurity job outlook
- Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 21% from 2025 to 2035, versus 3% for all occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- About 14,100 information security analyst openings are projected each year on average over the decade. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- The median annual wage for information security analysts was $129,180 in May 2025. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
See pay by role in our cybersecurity salary guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a shortage of cybersecurity workers?
Yes, for skilled staff. CyberSeek's supply-demand ratio is 74%, and ISC2 estimated a global gap of 4.8 million workers in 2024. Entry-level candidates still face competition.
How many cybersecurity jobs are open?
CyberSeek counted 514,359 U.S. cybersecurity job postings in the 12 months through April 2025, up 12% from the prior year. Postings are the closest available measure of open jobs.
How many people work in cybersecurity?
About 1,337,400 in the United States, according to CyberSeek, and about 4.97 million worldwide by its global estimate.
What cybersecurity skills are most in demand?
AI was the most-cited skill need in ISC2's 2025 study at 41%, ahead of cloud security at 36%.
Do you need a degree to get a cybersecurity job?
Not always. 90% of hiring managers would consider candidates with only IT experience and 89% with only an entry-level certification, compared with 81% with only a degree, ISC2 found.
How fast are cybersecurity jobs growing?
BLS projects information security analyst jobs to grow 21% from 2025 to 2035, with about 14,100 openings a year.
Sources
We use primary sources wherever they exist: government data, the original survey or report, and company filings. News coverage is used only when it reports a company's own statement. Survey figures describe the people surveyed, and forecasts are labeled as predictions.
- CyberSeek (CompTIA, Lightcast, NIST NICE) - June 2025 data release
- CyberSeek - Supply and Demand Heat Map national data file
- ISC2 - 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study first look (ISC2 press release via PR Newswire)
- ISC2 - 2025 Cybersecurity Workforce Study (press release)
- ISC2 - 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study (press release)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts
- ISC2 - Rethinking AI's Impact on Cybersecurity Roles (May 2026 survey)
- ISC2 - 2025 Cybersecurity Workforce Study
- ISC2 - 2025 Cybersecurity Hiring Trends Report (press release)