Jobs Similar to Information Security Engineers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to information security engineers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Information Security Analysts, Penetration Testers and Computer Network Architects.
Information Security Engineers: $116,580 (broader BLS group) · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Information Security Engineers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Information Security AnalystsSame group | 83% | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Penetration TestersSame group | 83% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Computer Network ArchitectsSame group | 83% | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersSame group | 81% | $104,300 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsSame group | 81% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 6 | Digital Forensics AnalystsSame group | 80% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Database AdministratorsSame group | 79% | $104,620 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Data Warehousing SpecialistsSame group | 79% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists | 79% | $130,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Web AdministratorsSame group | 78% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Computer Systems AnalystsSame group | 78% | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Blockchain EngineersSame group | 78% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Geographic Information Systems Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 76% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Software DevelopersSame group | 76% | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Database ArchitectsSame group | 76% | $139,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Computer ProgrammersSame group | 76% | $100,390 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsSame group | 74% | $140,300 | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Remote Sensing Technicians | 74% | $62,280Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Web DevelopersSame group | 74% | $92,650 | Training or associate |
| 20 | Computer Hardware Engineers | 74% | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Information Security Analysts
83% similar · $129,180 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Penetration Testers
83% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Computer Network Architects
83% similar · $134,050 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
81% similar · $104,300 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
81% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 6Digital Forensics Analysts
80% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Database Administrators
79% similar · $104,620 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Data Warehousing Specialists
79% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 9Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
79% similar · $130,220 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 10Web Administrators
78% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Computer Systems Analysts
78% similar · $105,850 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Blockchain Engineers
78% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
76% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Software Developers
76% similar · $135,980 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Database Architects
76% similar · $139,500 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Computer Programmers
76% similar · $100,390 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Computer and Information Research Scientists
74% similar · $140,300 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Remote Sensing Technicians
74% similar · $62,280 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Web Developers
74% similar · $92,650 · Training or associate · Same group
- 20Computer Hardware Engineers
74% similar · $161,740 · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for information security engineers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where information security engineers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists (79)
- Security Management Specialists (76)
- Bioinformatics Technicians (74)
- Remote Sensing Technicians (74)
- Data Scientists (73)
- Validation Engineers (73)
- Electrical Engineers (71)
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors (71)
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (70)
- Industrial Engineers (69)
Questions about jobs like information security engineers
What jobs are most similar to information security engineers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Information Security Analysts (83% similar), Penetration Testers (83% similar), Computer Network Architects (83% similar), Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (81% similar) and Computer Systems Engineers/Architects (81% similar).
Do jobs like information security engineers pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than information security engineers where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.