How Much Does a Digital Forensics Analyst Make? (2025)
Digital forensics analysts are responsible for performing forensic analysis on computer systems, servers, mobile devices, and other digital tools. They investigate cybersecurity incidents through digital forensic techniques and tools.
They also collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence. They recover emails, databases, and other compromised data. Ultimately, analysts document and report findings to give recommendations for the next steps.
This salary guide will thoroughly discuss the overview of a digital forensics analyst salary, as well as factors that affect their compensation, necessary steps to have a higher pay, and some related frequently asked questions.
What is the Average Digital Forensics Analyst’s Salary?
As of February 1, 2025, the average digital forensics analyst salary is $101,500 per year in the United States. The compensation usually ranges from $79,148 to $123,470, with most analysts earning around $89,800 to $113,000.
2025 Average Salary for Digital Forensics Analyst: $101,500 per year ($49 per hour)
The average digital forensics salary per month is $8,458 while the average hourly rate is $49.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38 | $1,522 | $6,596 | $79,148 |
| 25th Percentile | $43 | $1,727 | $7,483 | $89,800 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $49 | $1,952 | $8,458 | $101,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $54 | $2,173 | $9,417 | $113,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $59 | $2,374 | $10,289 | $123,470 |
Digital Forensics Analyst Salaries State by State
Digital forensics analyst salary varies from state to state due to key factors like industry presence, local economies, and cost of living.
The state with the highest average annual salary is the District of Columbia with $112,900, followed by California with $111,900 and New Jersey with $111,200.
Meanwhile, the state with the lowest average annual salary is Mississippi with $90,500, followed by South Dakota with $91,200 and West Virginia with $91,300.
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $110,500 |
| Alabama | $93,300 |
| Arkansas | $92,400 |
| Arizona | $98,800 |
| California | $111,900 |
| Colorado | $103,500 |
| Connecticut | $109,000 |
| District of Columbia | $112,900 |
| Delaware | $103,000 |
| Florida | $96,400 |
| Georgia | $98,100 |
| Hawaii | $106,000 |
| Iowa | $97,100 |
| Idaho | $94,700 |
| Illinois | $103,800 |
| Indiana | $98,400 |
| Kansas | $96,600 |
| Kentucky | $95,500 |
| Louisiana | $96,500 |
| Massachusetts | $110,400 |
| Maryland | $104,600 |
| Maine | $98,700 |
| Michigan | $100,200 |
| Minnesota | $103,800 |
| Missouri | $96,700 |
| Mississippi | $90,500 |
| Montana | $94,800 |
| North Carolina | $97,400 |
| North Dakota | $100,500 |
| Nebraska | $95,600 |
| New Hampshire | $103,200 |
| New Jersey | $111,200 |
| New Mexico | $93,600 |
| Nevada | $101,900 |
| New York | $108,200 |
| Ohio | $99,200 |
| Oklahoma | $93,900 |
| Oregon | $103,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,300 |
| Rhode Island | $105,900 |
| South Carolina | $95,800 |
| South Dakota | $91,200 |
| Tennessee | $94,000 |
| Texas | $99,300 |
| Utah | $96,500 |
| Virginia | $101,800 |
| Vermont | $99,500 |
| Washington | $109,400 |
| Wisconsin | $100,300 |
| West Virginia | $91,300 |
| Wyoming | $97,300 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Digital Forensics Analysts?
The hot cities that give the best digital forensics salary are shown in the table below. With an average annual compensation of $127,300, San Jose, California is the best-paying city. Meanwhile, Paramus, New Jersey is the lowest among the six hot cities with $116,900 per year.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $127,300 ($61 per hour) |
| San Francisco, California | $126,800 ($61 per hour) |
| Oakland, California | $123,800 ($60 per hour) |
| New York, New York | $118,500 ($57 per hour) |
| Queens Village, New York | $117,700 ($57 per hour) |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $116,900 ($56 per hour) |
How Does Experience Affect Digital Forensics Analyst Salaries?
Just like any profession, more experience will lead to higher pay when it comes to digital forensics analyst salary.
With less than a year of experience, an entry level position will have an average starting salary of $98,228. An intermediate level with 1 to 2 years of experience gets $98,599.
A senior level with 2 to 4 years of experience will have $103,203, while the specialist level with 5 to 8 years of experience usually gets $108,260 on average. The most experienced analyst is on the expert level with over 8 years of practice, gaining $108,621.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Digital Forensics Analyst | $98,228 |
| Intermediate Level Digital Forensics Analyst | $98,599 |
| Senior Level Digital Forensics Analyst | $103,203 |
| Specialist Level Digital Forensics Analyst | $108,260 |
| Expert Level Digital Forensics Analyst | $108,621 |
How to Increase Salary as a Digital Forensics Analyst?
To be a digital forensics analyst, you must complete bachelor's degree programs like computer science, computer and information technology, or related fields like math and engineering.
However, if you’re aiming to climb the career ladder and have a competitive pay, here is what you should pursue:
Digital Forensics Analyst Advancements
- Gain certification: Getting certified by trusted certifying bodies will boost your salary as this is evidence of your skills needed in the industry. This will also give you an edge among other workers since this signifies that your knowledge in the field of study is competent.
- Gain experience: Having more exposure to the job will help you advance in terms of compensation. Years of practice means you can be reliable in your technical knowledge. Once you become an expert in digital forensics, you can get an average salary of $108,621 per year.
- Enhance in-demand skills: Honing skills that have high demands in the job market will help you stand out. Based on Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, skills in cybersecurity (70.89%), data analytics (42.96%), and information security (40.85%) are the most in-demand in 2025.
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Apply in high-paying sectors: Industries differ in compensation, so it is important that you choose the high-paying ones. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the top industries for information security analysts with their median annual wages:
- Information: $133,530
- Finance and insurance: $126,230
- Management of companies and enterprises: $122,510
- Computer systems design and related services: $121,980
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services: $112,140
- Have a master's degree: Continuing your education will improve earning potential, solidify qualifications, and enhance leadership skills. It will take two years to earn a master's degree in computer science or related fields. Advanced levels of education are favored in companies.
Digital Forensics Analyst Skills
According to Salary.com’s Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, information security skills give the highest increase in salary by +9.78%, followed by skills in network security with +9.17% and data analytics with +8.48%.
Other significant skills with high salary increases are data recovery (+6.91%), mail server administration (+6.91%), and employee engagement (+6.81%).
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Information security | 40.85% | +9.78% |
| Network security | 34.27% | +9.17% |
| Data analytics | 42.96% | +8.48% |
| Data recovery | 24.51% | +6.91% |
| Mail server administration | 24.41% | +6.91% |
| Malware analysis | 24.11% | +6.81% |
What are the FAQs About Digital Forensics Analyst Salaries?
Here are some common questions about digital forensics analyst salary:
What does a digital forensics analyst do?
Digital forensics analysts are responsible for performing forensic analysis on computer systems and servers. They investigate cybersecurity incidents through digital forensic techniques and tools.
They also collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence. They recover emails, databases, and other compromised data. Ultimately, analysts document and report findings to give recommendations on the next steps.
Is it good to have a digital forensics career?
Yes, digital forensics is a good career. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment growth for information security analysts of 33% in the years 2023 to 2033. There are also projected 17,300 job openings every year for the position.
How much is a digital forensics salary?
As of February 2025, the average digital forensics analyst salary is $101,500 per year in the United States. The compensation usually ranges from $79,148 to $123,470, with most analysts earning around $89,800 to $113,000.
What degree do I need for digital forensics?
You must complete an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer and information, or related fields. A master's degree in cybersecurity can also give you a career advantage and higher earning potential.
