How much do cryptographers make in cyber security?
How much does a Cryptography make in California? As of Dec 28, 2024, the average hourly pay for the Cryptography jobs category in California is $23.59 an hour.
Employees who know Cryptography earn an average of ₹24.3lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹17.5lakhs per year to ₹65.9lakhs per year based on 97 profiles. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹36.8lakhs per year.
1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Topping our list of the highest-paying cybersecurity jobs is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). CISOs not only sit at the apex of an organization's cybersecurity structure but also command the highest salaries in the industry.
Cracking data codes takes time, dedication, and skill. For that reason, a cryptographer's salary is reasonably high, even when you take an average across various states. The average cryptographer's salary varies between $125,000 and 145,000. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $60 an hour.
Advantages of Cryptography
Ensures secure communication over untrusted networks. Protects sensitive data from unauthorized access. Can be used for authentication and digital signatures.
Discover average salaries in cybersecurity
U.S. News & World report ranks it as the #5 Best Job for 2023 primarily due to the job market, growth potential, and salary. According to the BLS, cybersecurity and information security analysts earn an average annual salary of $124,740 per year ($59.97 per hour).
These professionals are in demand wherever national security and encryption are paramount, as they contribute their expertise to protect sensitive information across diverse industries.
Salary. Another difference between the technology professions is the earning potential. The national average salary of a software engineer is $109,018 per year , while a cybersecurity analyst earns an average of $99,808 per year .
Those looking to pursue a career as a cryptographer should have extremely strong mathematical and analytical skills. Most cryptographers also have a graduate degree, but in some cases, a bachelor's degree may suffice for an entry-level position.
The primary job duty of cryptography professionals is to analyze current security systems for any vulnerabilities that may be targeted by outside attackers. As cryptographers identify weaknesses, they apply mathematics and computer coding to strengthen the encryption.
Is cryptography a hard course?
Cryptography blends several areas of mathematics: number theory, complexity theory, information theory, probability theory, abstract algebra, and formal analysis, among others. Few can do the science properly, and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing: inexperienced cryptographers almost always design flawed systems.
Post-Quantum Cryptography Moves to the Forefront
But the urgency is growing. Chris Hickman, Chief Security Officer at Keyfactor highlighted that quantum computing timelines are becoming clearer, with real impacts possible as early as 2029.

While cybersecurity aims for overall protection against unauthorized access, cryptography specifically focuses on securing communication channels through advanced encoding techniques, contributing collectively to a robust cybersecurity framework.
For example, in security operations (SecOps) and governance, risk and compliance (GRC) roles, the top 25% averages around $523,000 per year in cash compensation. That figure drops to $447,000 for product security department heads, $465,000 for deputy CISOs and $360,000 for identity and access management leaders.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Average Salary: Depending on the size and location of the organization, a CISO can earn anywhere between $200,000 – $300,000. CISOs for small companies will earn closer to $100,000.
As we mentioned earlier, many top-paying cybersecurity positions typically earn anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 — with some senior-level jobs paying as much as $400,000 or more.
Cybersecurity is an in-demand and well-paying field with roughly 3.5 million unfilled jobs globally. Many jobs pay six-figures, and some top talent receive nearly $1 million in compensation.
Typically, cyber security professionals begin their careers by pursuing a bachelor's degree in Cyber Security or a related field, such as Computer Science or Information Technology.
Cybersecurity work is stressful and an extremely nerve-wracking way to make a living. Alerts flagging potentially malicious attacks are constant and they have to be taken seriously because every defender reluctantly knows attacks will happen, it's just a matter of when.
Cryptographers provide their expertise to various organizations and agencies in the private and public sectors. Intelligence agencies like the FBI and the National Security Agency (NSA) employ cryptographers, as do financial institutions and medical insurance companies.
Is cryptography high paying?
Earnings for cryptographers vary by location, experience, and industry. According to Payscale, the average base salary for a cryptographer in May 2022 was $185,000. Entry-level cryptographers may earn salaries below average, but the position allows for upward mobility and income growth.
Start with an internship or entry-level job in information security. Cryptography is not typically an entry-level job; it usually requires five years of professional information security experience. After college, gain the experience needed by looking for a role as a security analyst or system analyst.
Will AI take over cyber security? No, AI won't fully take over cybersecurity. While AI and machine learning can automate tasks like threat detection and log analysis, it lacks the ability to interpret unique contexts and novel threats in the same way humans do.
- Artificial Intelligence Engineer. ...
- Data Scientist. ...
- Blockchain Developer. ...
- Cybersecurity Engineer. ...
- Cloud Architect. ...
- Develop In-Demand Coding Skills. ...
- Build a Strong and Diverse Portfolio. ...
- Network Whenever and Wherever Possible.
Is Cybersecurity Hard to Learn? Indeed, the journey to mastering cybersecurity is challenging, but it's an achievable feat with dedication and time, much like any other field. Unlike some tech domains, cybersecurity doesn't demand coding or advanced mathematical skills, making it more approachable for many.