Salary Range for Cybersecurity/IT Security Professionals (Cleared and Uncleared) (Tampa: how much, contractors)

[TToTheB]

Good Morning All,

I am a US Army Veteran living in the Washington, D.C. Area. I have had enough of the Rat Race in DC. I am looking to relocate to the Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater Area. I currently work in the Cybersecurity field. The Cost of Living in DC is A Lot more than the Tampa/Gulf Coast Area. Honestly I have no Idea on what the Salaries are there. Could anyone give me an idea or some Solid Resources to find the answer I am looking for. I am starting to contact recruiters and I don't want to get underpaid nor do I want to ask for too much and get taken out of the running for a position.

Any Assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,

TToTheB

[MortonR]

As someone in the government side of this profession I can tell you that salaries in Tampa are going to be lower than in DC and surrounding areas. How much really depends on who you work for and what you do.

There are a lot of contract positions here due to the presence of MacDill AFB and SOCOM. That being said, a lot of things are being cut, and I already know a couple of people whose contracts are not being renewed.

A lot is determined by your clearances as well. If you're current with them you will have a pretty good number of opportunities, I suspect, mainly with contracting firms.

I can't speak for contractors, but in government a security analyst will probably range from $60k-$85k depending on the agency and job classification.

RM

[stpeteguy]

The IT security guys where I work make in the $12-$15/hr. range.

Not sure what you're used too.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by stpeteguy

The IT security guys where I work make in the $12-$15/hr. range.

Not sure what you're used too.

Wow! That's pretty awful.

I assume we're talking about IT professionals with bachelor's degrees and industry certifications, such as CISSP or at least Security+?

I hope not, or someone is working waaayyy below their value.....

That is not indicative of the normal corporate or defense industry pay in the area. I know a number of security people in both of these areas and they're doing far better than $12-$15/hour.

For that matter, everyone I know in the business is salaried.

RM

[Pragmaticus]

Originally Posted by MortonR

Wow! That's pretty awful.

I assume we're talking about IT professionals with bachelor's degrees and industry certifications, such as CISSP or at least Security+?

I hope not, or someone is working waaayyy below their value.....

That is not indicative of the normal corporate or defense industry pay in the area. I know a number of security people in both of these areas and they're doing far better than $12-$15/hour.

For that matter, everyone I know in the business is salaried.

RM

Other than a uniformed Security Guard standing in fornt of a building, lol, I know of nobody paying for IT professional $12 to $15/hour.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Pragmaticus

Other than a uniformed Security Guard standing in fornt of a building, lol, I know of nobody paying for IT professional $12 to $15/hour.

Exactly. I'm wondering if there is some confusion there....

RM

[TToTheB]

Originally Posted by stpeteguy

The IT security guys where I work make in the $12-$15/hr. range.

Not sure what you're used too.

stpeteguy that sounds off or those guys are getting raked over the coals. The cost of living is way cheaper than the DC are but at the pay it wouldn't be worth it. I currently make over 6 figures. I know I probably wouldn't make that in Tampa but just trying to get as close as possible. The pay info as with most places is a pretty tightly guarded secret.

[TToTheB]

Originally Posted by MortonR

As someone in the government side of this profession I can tell you that salaries in Tampa are going to be lower than in DC and surrounding areas. How much really depends on who you work for and what you do.

There are a lot of contract positions here due to the presence of MacDill AFB and SOCOM. That being said, a lot of things are being cut, and I already know a couple of people whose contracts are not being renewed.

A lot is determined by your clearances as well. If you're current with them you will have a pretty good number of opportunities, I suspect, mainly with contracting firms.

I can't speak for contractors, but in government a security analyst will probably range from $60k-$85k depending on the agency and job classification.

RM

MortonR thanks for the info. Do you know any good sites to apply for government positions in the Tampa area?

Do you know who the major players (contracting companies) in the area are?

[FloridaKash]

Obviously depends on a whole lot of factors. But I would imagine somewhere in the $80K - $110K range.

Glassdoor and Salary.com might be able to help you out a bit. Also, you can call some technical recruiters.... they'd love to hear from you.

[stpeteguy]

Originally Posted by TToTheB

stpeteguy that sounds off or those guys are getting raked over the coals. The cost of living is way cheaper than the DC are but at the pay it wouldn't be worth it. I currently make over 6 figures. I know I probably wouldn't make that in Tampa but just trying to get as close as possible. The pay info as with most places is a pretty tightly guarded secret.

You're probably right. I heard the info. second hand, so something must have been wrong.