Tampa Cybersecurity Job Market: Trends and Growth Areas for 2025

Tampa is absolutely crushing it as a tech hub, especially in cybersecurity. The latest data shows over 3,700 new tech jobs are coming by 2027, with cybersecurity leading the charge.

The University of South Florida is launching a new Cybersecurity, AI, and Computing College in Fall 2025, aiming to enroll 5,000 students right off the bat.

The numbers are mind-blowing - we're talking about a global shortage of 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals by 2025, and Tampa's positioning itself to fill that gap.

Local salaries are seriously competitive, ranging from $66K to $117K, which is pretty sweet for entry-level positions. Tampa's becoming a powerhouse for tech innovation, with major players like ReliaQuest setting up shop here.

The city's got everything going for it - low living costs, zero unemployment in cybersecurity, and tons of networking opportunities through Tampa Bay Tech. If you're thinking about getting into cybersecurity, Tampa's definitely the place to be in 2025.

Tampa's tech scene is absolutely crushing it right now, with IT job growth hitting 30% over the last five years.

The numbers are wild - we're talking about more than 50,000 tech professionals already working here, and the market's still growing. Major companies are stepping up their game, with Citi and other big players actively recruiting for their cybersecurity teams.

According to recent data, specialized roles in operational technology security are particularly hot, especially in critical infrastructure sectors like water and wastewater management.

The city's been ranked as the #1 emerging tech hub by Forbes, which is seriously impressive.

What makes this growth even better is how diverse and inclusive it is.

Tampa's crushing it as the #1 city for women-owned businesses, and companies like Paragon Cyber Solutions are showing how minority-owned businesses can thrive in the cybersecurity space.

The city's projected to add another 3,700 tech jobs by 2027, growing the sector by 14%. Entry-level positions are offering competitive salaries, with cybersecurity roles starting around $80,000 annually, making it a smart career move for recent grads.

The local government is making it easier for tech companies to set up shop here by streamlining processes and creating a better environment for entrepreneurs.

With nearly 17,000 IT businesses now operating in Tampa (up 27% since 2017), the opportunities for cybersecurity professionals are everywhere. Whether you're into cloud security, threat detection, or compliance, Tampa's tech scene has a spot for you.

The city's commitment to technological growth isn't just talk - it's backed by real investment and community support.

Tampa's cybersecurity landscape is getting a major boost with USF's new College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing, set to launch in fall 2025.

This innovative college aims to prepare students for high-demand careers while fostering groundbreaking research. The University of South Florida continues to strengthen its position in cybersecurity education through its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity, recognized by both the National Security Agency and Homeland Security.

The bachelor's program in cybersecurity focuses on essential areas like information security, software security, and system security, with graduates earning competitive salaries starting around $95,000.

Cyber Florida at USF is transforming the state into a national cybersecurity leader through education, research, and outreach initiatives.

Their work includes creating new pathways to cyber careers and advancing applied research that directly impacts the local tech ecosystem. Recent developments include the launch of phaseZERO Innovation Incubator and SOCAP programs, which are building a strong talent pipeline for Tampa's growing cybersecurity sector.

The collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners has resulted in a significant increase in job placements, with over 30,000 cybersecurity positions currently available across Florida.

The strategic investments in Tampa's tech infrastructure are paying off big time.

Local companies are partnering with USF to create hands-on learning opportunities for students, while new cybersecurity initiatives are attracting more tech companies to the area.

With the upcoming Sunshine Cyber Con and various professional development programs, Tampa is seriously stepping up its game in the cybersecurity world. As we move toward 2025, these combined efforts are making Tampa a super attractive destination for both cybersecurity professionals and companies.

Tampa's cybersecurity sector is absolutely exploding with opportunities right now! According to recent market analysis, Tampa is expecting 3,700 new cybersecurity jobs by 2027, marking a significant 14% growth.

I'm super excited about how the city is transforming into a major tech hub, especially with companies like ReliaQuest setting up shop here. What's really cool is that the Sixth Annual Tampa Cybersecurity Summit is bringing together all these C-Suite executives and cybersecurity pros to share their knowledge and create networking opportunities.

For someone starting out, it's amazing to see entry-level positions offering around $102,058 annually - that's seriously impressive! The city is putting major focus on emerging areas like AI and IoT security, and global companies like Citi are offering summer analyst programs with real-world project experience.

What makes this even better is that Tampa's tech community is super welcoming to newcomers, with tons of training programs and meetups happening all the time.

With companies actively investing in cloud security and AI-driven solutions, there's never been a better time to jump into Tampa's cybersecurity scene. Plus, with the University of South Florida ranking in the top 10 for cybersecurity education, we've got access to some seriously good learning opportunities right in our backyard.

Tampa's tech scene is experiencing a major transformation, but there's a serious challenge ahead - the cybersecurity skills gap is real. According to recent industry data, this gap is responsible for 80% of security breaches, which is pretty scary.

Looking at 2025, Tampa's expected to have around 3,700 new cybersecurity positions, but about half might stay empty because we just don't have enough qualified people.

The University of South Florida is stepping up with a new Cybersecurity and AI College launching in Fall 2025, aiming to help fix this shortage.

While the average salary in Tampa for cybersecurity roles is $88,422, finding people with the right skills is still tough.

The city's cybersecurity market is growing at 14%, with hot jobs in cloud security, AI security, and IoT protection.

Companies like ReliaQuest are actively hiring, but they need people who really know their stuff - we're talking cloud security, risk management, and hands-on experience with security tools.

Training programs through University of South Florida and local bootcamps are trying to catch up, but the demand is just massive. The global shortage is expected to hit 3.5 million unfilled positions by 2025, and Tampa's feeling that pressure too.

To fix this, the city's working on partnerships between schools, companies, and government agencies, but it's going to take time to build up the talent pool we need.