How to Make 6 Figures As A Cybersecurity Analyst? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 9th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a cybersecurity analyst? Good for you! Being a cybersecurity analyst is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a cybersecurity analyst - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

As a cybersecurity analyst, leveraging the power of social media to become an influencer could be a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time business endeavor. By showcasing your industry expertise on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn, you could attract brands eager to collaborate with you for product reviews, sponsored posts, or partnerships.

Creating educational content, tutorials, and analyses on hot topics in cybersecurity could help you establish credibility while growing a dedicated follower base. This audience can be monetized through various streams, such as affiliate marketing, online courses, and exclusive memberships, bringing you closer to hitting six-figure earnings.

Furthermore, as your influence grows, you could be invited to speak at conferences, write guest articles, or participate in panel discussions, further expanding your income potential and professional opportunities.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

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2. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Supplementing your income as a cybersecurity analyst by becoming an affiliate marketer could significantly boost your earnings potential towards six figures. As an affiliate marketer, you would promote other companies' products or services and earn a commission for every successful referral made through your unique tracking links. This business model requires minimal upfront investment, making it an accessible and low-risk venture for those looking to start a side hustle or entirely new business.

Leveraging your analytical skills, you could effectively identify high-demand products within your chosen niche and craft compelling marketing strategies to drive traffic and sales. The flexibility of affiliate marketing allows you to manage this additional income stream alongside your regular job, providing you a practical pathway to enhance your financial stability and achieve six-figure earnings.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

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3. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an eCommerce store could significantly supplement your income as a cybersecurity analyst and potentially help you reach six figures. Leveraging your technical skills, you could create a robust and secure online platform to sell products or services, benefiting from the booming eCommerce market and its lower overhead costs compared to traditional businesses.

Develop an appealing website that allows customers to easily browse, purchase items, and make secure payments. You could also utilize your cybersecurity expertise to implement stringent security protocols, giving customers confidence in their transactions, thereby potentially increasing sales. This entrepreneurial venture could offer the flexibility to manage your store on your own schedule, making it a viable option for additional income without sacrificing your primary career.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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4. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business offers cybersecurity analysts a flexible and lucrative way to supplement their income. With robust writing skills and in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity, you could create content for industry blogs, technical guides, whitepapers, and more, establishing yourself as an authoritative voice in the field. Additionally, working as a freelancer allows you to set your own hours and work from any location, making it an ideal side business alongside your primary job.

You could leverage your expertise to secure well-paying gigs by producing compelling and relevant content that meets the growing demand for cybersecurity insights. Maintaining strong communication skills, staying on top of writing trends, and consistently meeting deadlines are crucial to building a reputation and achieving six-figure earnings through freelance writing. Engaging in this side hustle not only boosts your income but also enhances your professional credibility and network within the cybersecurity community.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

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5. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could be an excellent way for a cybersecurity analyst to supplement their income, potentially helping to make six figures. By leveraging your expertise and passion for cybersecurity, you could create valuable content that attracts a dedicated audience eager to learn about the latest trends, threats, and best practices in the field.

With minimal upfront investment in basic recording equipment and hosting services, you could quickly start producing and publishing episodes. Through consistent promotion on social media, online communities, and word of mouth, your podcast could grow in popularity, enabling you to attract lucrative sponsorship deals and advertising revenue.

Additionally, a well-received podcast could open doors to consultancy opportunities, speaking engagements, and the sale of related products or services, further enhancing your income streams and career prospects.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

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6. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog could be an excellent way for a cybersecurity analyst to supplement their income or even potentially grow it into a full-time business. Given the high demand for trustworthy information online, you could leverage your expertise to create valuable content, attracting a broad audience and promoting your brand as an industry thought leader. Blogging, a lucrative and flexible business, appeals to an entrepreneurial mindset by enabling location-independence and the freedom to work on your schedule.

As per Optinmonster's statistics, 77% of internet users read blogs, and each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages. With these numbers, a well-targeted cybersecurity blog could draw substantial traffic, and you could monetize through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and even offering premium content like e-courses or consulting services. This additional revenue stream could move you closer to achieving a six-figure income, all while enriching the broader cybersecurity community.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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7. Digital products ($261K/month)

As a cybersecurity analyst, you could boost your income and potentially make six figures by creating and selling digital products. These products could range from information-based offerings like ebooks or courses on cybersecurity best practices, to software-based tools that address common cybersecurity challenges.

The beauty of digital products is that they're relatively easy to create and distribute; you could develop them yourself without needing to hire extra help. Additionally, with no physical inventory to manage, you could sell your digital products directly from your website, providing a streamlined way to reach and serve your audience.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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8. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could offer a lucrative side income for entrepreneurial-minded cybersecurity analysts aiming to reach six-figure earnings. With minimal time commitment, thanks to automation tools, you could manage client accounts efficiently while still focusing on your primary career. Developing effective social media strategies will enable you to attract and retain clients, generating a steady stream of revenue.

Moreover, building a robust agency portfolio could help you market your services to a broader audience, thereby increasing your client base. This additional income could be used to cover utility bills, fund educational pursuits, or save for a vacation, providing financial flexibility and enhancing your overall earning potential.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

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9. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Starting an online course could significantly boost your earnings as a cybersecurity analyst, helping you make six figures and beyond. You could leverage your deep industry knowledge to create educational content that fills critical gaps in the field, offering video lessons and supplementary materials that guide aspiring professionals. By addressing niche topics or emerging cybersecurity threats, your courses could attract a dedicated audience of lifelong learners.

Additionally, because an online course business involves low startup costs and flexible structures such as self-paced or cohort-based formats, you could develop a steady stream of passive income. This setup allows you to continue working full-time while your digital coursework generates additional revenue. For those passionate about information-sharing, launching an online course is not just a side hustle but a scalable business opportunity.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

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10. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a cybersecurity analyst. By creating content that focuses on cybersecurity tips, best practices, and industry insights, you could attract a dedicated audience and position yourself as an expert in the field. Given YouTube's established monetization system, which allows you to earn revenue through ads, you could capitalize on the platform’s popularity to generate significant extra income.

Once you meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months, you could start earning from ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. This side venture could eventually grow into a substantial source of income, elevating your earnings to six figures. Additionally, the success stories of other YouTube content creators offer valuable inspiration and strategies that you could apply to build your own successful channel.

Incorporating your professional expertise into engaging videos not only helps others but also enhances your own brand, potentially leading to more career opportunities and client engagements. For those with an entrepreneurial mindset, a YouTube channel offers a creative and profitable outlet to share your knowledge while furthering your career goals.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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11. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income as a cybersecurity analyst, leveraging your industry expertise to help others advance in their careers. By providing personalized guidance and strategic services, you could assist clients in navigating professional transitions, resume building, interview preparation, and achieving workplace advancements. This could allow you to establish a steady stream of supplementary income through both in-person and virtual meetings.

Furthermore, launching a coaching practice offers the flexibility to control your own schedule and monetize your innate motivational and speaking skills. With a growing client base, you could empower others to achieve their career aspirations while enjoying the financial rewards and personal fulfillment that come with helping others succeed. This entrepreneurial endeavor could turn into a substantial revenue source, contributing to your goal of making six figures in the cybersecurity field.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.