Career Snapshot: Cyber Security Engineer
- Entry-Level Salary: Around $82,000/year (ZipRecruiter, 2025).
- Median Salary: About $126,900/year (Indeed, 2025).
- Experienced Salary: Can exceed $164,000/year in senior or specialized roles (Glassdoor & ZipRecruiter).
- Education: A bachelor’s degree in IT or computer science is helpful, but many employers emphasize certifications in cybersecurity, network defense, and cloud security.
- Job Outlook: Roles closely related to Cyber Security Engineers—Information Security Analysts—are projected to grow 29% from 2024–2034, much faster than average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Top Employers: Tech firms, healthcare systems, financial services, government agencies, defense contractors, and cloud service providers.
Skills You’ll Gain
Students completing the Cyber Security Engineer Career Pathway develop skills such as:
- Network Security & Firewalls – Building and defending secure infrastructures
- Cloud Security – Protecting apps and data across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
- Incident Response – Detecting and responding to security breaches
- Vulnerability Management – Identifying and mitigating risks before attacks happen
- SIEM & Threat Detection – Monitoring systems for anomalies and attacks
- Risk Analysis & Security Strategy – Designing proactive defense systems
Pathway Details & Certifications (powered by Coursera)
Featured Certification:
Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Professional Certificate — 4 courses
- Cybersecurity Foundation
- Network Security Fundamentals
- Cloud Security Fundamentals
- Security Operations Fundamentals
This certificate builds strong fundamentals in network defense, cloud security, and security operations, preparing students to step into real-world cybersecurity roles.
Real-World Impact
For Students: If you’re curious about hacking—but on the defensive side—this pathway helps you turn problem-solving skills into a high-paying, mission-critical career.
For CTE Directors & Teachers: The Cyber Security Engineer Career Pathway supports Perkins V alignment, integrates easily into IT or computer science tracks, and helps students earn recognized credentials that employers trust.
Related Pathways
Cybersecurity training also builds a foundation for related roles, including:
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Cloud Architect
- IT Security Manager
- Network Engineer
Why SchoolDay Academy Recommends the Cyber Security Engineer Career Pathway
At SchoolDay Academy, we curate pathways that are affordable, accessible, and career-relevant. The Cyber Security Engineer Career Pathway, powered by Coursera, stands out because it is:
- Beginner-Friendly – No advanced degree or prior experience required.
- Industry-Aligned – Developed with Palo Alto Networks, a global cybersecurity leader.
- Future-Ready – Focuses on defense and resilience skills urgently needed by employers.
- Certificate-Driven – Includes the Palo Alto Networks Professional Certificate, providing stackable, industry-recognized credentials.
By adopting the Cyber Security Engineer Career Pathway, schools give students the opportunity to earn certificates while building confidence in high-demand, employer-valued skills.
How to Begin
Students
- Ask your teacher/CTE lead about enrolling in the Cyber Security Engineer Career Pathway through SchoolDay Academy.
- Commit to a study schedule (3–5 hours per week).
- Practice in class or clubs—set up secure networks, run simulations, analyze threats.
- Complete the 4-course Palo Alto Networks certificate and showcase it on resumes and LinkedIn.
Teachers & CTE Directors
- Request access through SchoolDay Academy for your class or cohort.
- Align learning outcomes with Perkins V IT career pathways.
- Use SDA dashboards to track certificate completions and report results to stakeholders.
Conclusion
The Cyber Security Engineer Career Pathway empowers students to become frontline defenders in the fight against cybercrime. For students, it’s a career with strong salaries, growth, and purpose. For educators, it’s a Perkins-aligned program that delivers measurable outcomes.
Explore the Cyber Security Engineer Career Pathway offered by SchoolDay Academy (powered by Coursera) today.