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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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
Look for other titles in Minneapolis-St. Paul such as Cybersecurity Specialist, Cybersecurity Compliance Lead, Senior SOC Analyst, and Senior Cyber Fraud Specialist.
Many Minneapolis-area organizations need more professionals with cybersecurity experience and expertise, from well-known retailers to private security firms:
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.