Information Security Analyst vs SOC Analyst: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Information Security Analyst
Protect organisational data and systems from cyber attacks.
SOC Analyst
Monitor security alerts and respond to incidents in a Security Operations Centre.
Information Security Analyst earns more on average — the national median is $57,180/year (79%) higher than a SOC Analyst. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Information Security Analyst vs SOC Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Information Security Analyst | SOC Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $184,843 | $105,392 | Information +$79,451 |
| New York, NY | $140,470 | $140,470 | Information +$0 |
| Seattle, WA | $188,507 | $101,114 | Information +$87,393 |
| Austin, TX | $148,073 | $81,440 | Information +$66,633 |
| Chicago, IL | $135,227 | $76,392 | Information +$58,835 |
| Boston, MA | $169,408 | $94,913 | Information +$74,495 |
| London, UK | £101,423 | £57,665 | Information +$43,758 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$172,721 | CA$93,306 | Information +$79,415 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Information Security Analyst or SOC Analyst earn more?+
A Information Security Analyst earns more on average. The national median salary for a Information Security Analyst is $129,180/year, compared to $72,000/year for a SOC Analyst — a difference of $57,180 (79%).
Which has better career growth — Information Security Analyst or SOC Analyst?+
Information Security Analyst roles are growing at 32% YoY while SOC Analyst demand is growing at 28% YoY. Information Security Analyst has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Information Security Analyst to SOC Analyst?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: SIEM.
Which is harder to automate — Information Security Analyst or SOC Analyst?+
SOC Analyst has a lower AI automation risk (35% vs 48%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.