Cybersecurity Classes Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis has an international reputation for its high quality of life. Ranked #30 by the Institute for Quality of Life, Minneapolis is one of only two U.S. cities in the research firm’s Happiest Cities, second only to New York in the nation. With its thriving economy, high educational standards, and respected healthcare, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro area—also known as the Twin Cities—continues to attract skilled tech professionals.

Cybersecurity tops the priority list for many organizations, from small business owners to IT managers for multinational corporations. In Minneapolis, the demand for skilled, experienced cybersecurity professionals outstrips supply. According to Nucamp, around 22% of open positions remain unfilled. Three essential areas of security specialization where demand is high:

• Cloud Security
• Ethical Hacking
• Incident Response

As demand continues to outpace the number of available cybersecurity workers, companies will likely offer increasing incentives to attract qualified candidates, including those willing to relocate. With entry-level roles projected to provide six-figure salaries, consider that the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro is a top destination for tech workers of every age and skill level.

Essential Minneapolis Industries & Employers

Top industries in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro require a variety of cybersecurity professionals, especially in larger organizations. The most essential sectors in this region include:

• Healthcare
• Government
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)

Among these, healthcare, retail, and BFSI particularly require above-average cybersecurity measures. Healthcare organizations like doctors’ offices and hospitals must safeguard patient data. Retail outlets must protect customer information, as do banks, brokerages, and insurance providers.

Minneapolis' household-name retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and Wal-Mart, are among the companies employing cybersecurity pros. Top BFSI companies here include Ameriprise and Wells Fargo.

Cybersecurity Jobs & Compensation in Minneapolis

Salaries for cybersecurity roles in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro area vary, from modest compensation packages to high-flying experts whose pay rates far outpace national averages. However, the market continues to heat up, bringing price pressure even on the starting salaries for entry-level cybersecurity roles. Consider the following positions and their average annual salaries in the region:

• Cybersecurity Analyst: A Minneapolis Cybersecurity Analyst can expect to earn from $79,000 to $91,000, with base pay averaging around $85,000 annually, higher for more experienced workers.
• Cybersecurity Architect: In Minneapolis, Cybersecurity Architects make between $111,000 and $282,000, averaging about $177,000—an impressive 17% higher than the national average for similar roles.
• Cybersecurity Engineer: A Cybersecurity Engineer in Minneapolis may start around $69,000 but earn as much as $125,000 annually, with an average annual base pay of around $93,000.
• Cybersecurity Project Manager: Cybersecurity Project Managers can expect to earn from $106,000 to $151,000 annually, averaging about $126,000, comparable to the national average.
• Network Security Engineer: Network Security Engineers are among the highest-paid cybersecurity professionals in Minneapolis compared to their peers nationwide. Their annual earnings run from $160,000 to $230,000, with an average salary of around $192,000—a stunning 66% higher than the national average for comparable positions.

Look for other titles in Minneapolis-St. Paul such as Cybersecurity Specialist, Cybersecurity Compliance Lead, Senior SOC Analyst, and Senior Cyber Fraud Specialist.

Minneapolis Companies Hiring Cybersecurity Professionals

Many Minneapolis-area organizations need more professionals with cybersecurity experience and expertise, from well-known retailers to private security firms:

• Arctic Wolf Networks: Cybersecurity managed services offering 24/7 concierge care
• FRSecure: Information security firm with customized assessment and management solutions
• Integris: IT support and services for Twin Cities organizations, including cybersecurity
• Optum: Healthcare data compliance and security, partnering with governmental agencies
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC): Multinational professional services network with over 300,000 employees worldwide
• SUCCESS Computer Consulting: Private managed IT consulting services for the Twin Cities region
• Target: Nationally-known retail giant with nearly 2,000 stores across the country
• U.S. Bank: FDIC-insured institution covering personal, business, commercial, corporate, and institutional banking and wealth management

Minneapolis Cybersecurity Trends

According to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, emerging investments in startups show signs of future growth, particularly in the growing tech industry. This trend promises to affect the state’s top tech subsectors, especially medical devices, electronic instruments, and computer systems. Minneapolis-St. Paul expects to be the epicenter of the ongoing tech boom.

While Software and Web Developers comprise the greatest number of Minnesota's tech roles, with some 31,000, the second-greatest number of workers are Systems and Cybersecurity Analysts, representing over 22,000 employed. This figure promises to grow exponentially over the next decade.

As more startups and cloud services come to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro area, the need for cybersecurity workers continues to increase. At a 78% fulfillment rate, the high demand for (and relatively low supply of) qualified security pros will put even more upward pressure on wages and salaries. The region's affordability makes it an increasingly attractive option for workers willing to relocate. For those already living and working in Minneapolis, the opportunity to earn above-average pay for in-demand roles should provide job security as the city continues its tech and innovation expansion.