Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing career fields in the United States (and really, around the world). If you’re looking at making it your career, you need to know what cybersecurity jobs are the hottest up-and-comers in 2018.

We created a point system in which we assigned value to each job based on pay, growth rate, career options, coolness factor, and experience required. Here are our top picks.

The 7 Hottest Cybersecurity Jobs for 2018

7. Information technology auditors

What do they do? IT auditors assess risks to determine a technological factor’s effectiveness and efficiency. They follow these assessments with recommendations for improvements.

• Experience Required – 58% of information technology auditors have 1-4 years of experience.
• Certifications Required – Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Growth Rate – Demand is very high.
• Respect Factor – This is an entry-level or mid-level position.
• Career Pathway – IT auditors can move to being senior IT auditors or to positions as information security analysts.
• Locations of Major Employers – New York City, Washington State, San Francisco, Houston, and Boston.
• Pay – The average national salary is $65,580.
• Excitement Level – The work can be tedious, but it’s often rewarding, too.
• Coolness Factor – ☕☕☕☕

Total Score: 18/25

The reason for our rating: The best place to start your cybersecurity career may be here. If you’ve already got experience, however, keep reading our list.

6. Computer network security administrators

What do they do? Checking for security violations, these cybersecurity administrators prevent and respond to cyberattacks. They may also conduct security training.

• Experience Required – 46% of computer network security administrators have 5-19 years of experience.
• Certifications Required – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Growth Rate – Demand is average – about a 6% annual growth rate.
• Respect Factor – This is an entry-level or mid-level position.
• Career Pathway – These professionals can become computer network architects or computer systems managers.
• Locations of Major Employers – Maryland, Washington DC, New Jersey, California, and Virginia
• Pay – The average national salary is $63,582.
• Excitement Level – If you find analysis and problem-solving to be exciting, this could be the job for you.
• Coolness Factor – ☕☕☕

Total Score: 18/25

The reason for our rating: This is a solid career choice for mid-level cybersecurity experts. If you’re looking for a more lucrative, faster-paced job, keep scrolling.

5. Information security analysts

What do they do? Once a strategy is created, these analysts implement it by searching for security risks and breaches.

• Experience Required – 74% of information security analysts have 1-9 years of experience.
• Certifications Required – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Growth Rate – Very high demand!
• Respect Factor – This is a mid-career position.
• Career Pathway – These professionals can become information security managers or engineers and may be on track to the Chief Information Security Officer position.
• Locations of Major Employers – Seattle, New York City, Chicago, Phoenix, and Austin
• Pay – The average national salary is $70,190
• Excitement Level – This job focuses on cybersecurity from a preparation and prevention posture. It’s not like counter-espionage, but it’s a fun ride.
• Coolness Factor – ☕☕☕☕

Total Score: 21/25

The reason for our rating: One of the best cybersecurity jobs for the defensive lineup, information security analysts make a solid salary and do intriguing work.

4. Information security specialists

What do they do? Information security specialists create, develop, implement, and review an organization’s security measures.

• Experience Required – 46% of information security specialists have 5-19 years of experience.
• Certifications Required – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Growth Rate – Very high demand!
• Respect Factor – This is a mid-to-upper career position.
• Career Pathway – These professionals can become information security managers and may be on track to the Chief Information Security Officer position.
• Locations of Major Employers – New York City, Atlanta, Columbus, and Washington State
• Pay – The average national salary is $72,291.
• Excitement Level – People who hold this job give it two thumbs up as extremely satisfying.
• Coolness Factor – ☕☕☕☕

Total Score: 22/25

The reason for our rating: If you love drafting plans, this is the cybersecurity job for you.

3. Information assurance engineers

What do they do? Charged with information compliance, engineers manage storage and processing. They may also address security issues directly.

• Experience Required – 46% of information assurance engineers have 5-19 years of experience.
• Certifications Required – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
• Growth Rate – Growing demand!
• Respect Factor – This is an upper-level career position.
• Career Pathway – These professionals can become information technology directors or Chief Information Security Officers.
• Locations of Major Employers – San Diego and Washington State
• Pay – The average national salary is $86,172.
• Excitement Level – This is one of the most exciting jobs in the industry, using the full range of cybersecurity talents and skills.
• Coolness Factor – ☕☕☕☕

Total Score: 23/25

The reason for our rating: If you love drafting plans, this is the cybersecurity job for you.

2. Computing, networking or IT security consultants

What do they do? Protecting against data theft, consultants design internal systems and develop emergency plans.

• Experience Required – 36% of security consultants have 1-4 years of experience.
• Certifications Required – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)
• Growth Rate – Very fast growth!
• Respect Factor – Consultants are top cybersecurity professionals.
• Career Pathway – These professionals can become senior project IT managers.
• Locations of Major Employers – San Francisco, Baltimore, Dallas, Washington State, and Boston
• Pay – The average national salary is $86,980.
• Excitement Level – A consultant’s role varies widely. It can be as exciting as you want it to be.
• Coolness Factor – ☕☕☕☕☕

Total Score: 24/25

The reason for our rating: If you enjoy designing and developing plans for others to implement, this position may be for you.

1. Information security managers

What do they do? These managers are responsible for an organization’s entire security program, including data protection planning, data corruption tests, identity theft prevention, and hardware maintenance.

• Experience Required – 48% of information security managers have 10-19 years of experience.
• Certifications Required – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI)
• Growth Rate – Twice as fast as average – about 12%
• Respect Factor – You’re top dog now.
• Career Pathway – You’ve reached the apex.
• Locations of Major Employers – San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Houston
• Pay – The average national salary is $112,417.
• Excitement Level – Sky high!
• Coolness Factor – ☕☕☕☕☕

Total Score: 25/25

The reason for our rating: Outside of being Chief Information Security Officer, this job is the single most plum assignment in the industry.