Wilmington Cybersecurity Job Market: Trends and Growth Areas for 2025

The tech scene in Wilmington is absolutely taking off! According to recent data, the Wilmington area created over 11,000 direct tech jobs with a 12% growth rate in the past five years, with cybersecurity leading the charge.

UNCW's engineering and business schools are jumping in with a new cybersecurity program that's already attracted 150 students and expects to double that next year.

The opportunities are seriously growing - North Carolina's tech industry is projected to grow 8.1% through 2025, ranking 11th nationally.

Right now, there's a huge demand for cybersecurity pros, especially since companies are dealing with more sophisticated cyber threats. The local tech community is really stepping up, with New Hanover County implementing major cybersecurity initiatives and training programs.

For anyone interested in tech, the median salary of $99,730 for cybersecurity analysts is pretty sweet, especially considering Wilmington's cost of living. Plus, with UNCW's program expanding and more companies moving to the area, there's never been a better time to jump into cybersecurity here.

The cybersecurity job market in 2025 is looking seriously impressive, with 3.5 million unfilled positions globally creating massive opportunities for tech enthusiasts like us.

What's really interesting is that the industry is evolving at lightning speed - AI and machine learning are revolutionizing threat detection, making our jobs both challenging and exciting.

The numbers are pretty wild: we're looking at a U.S. workforce gap of about 265,000 cybersecurity professionals, and according to recent data, 75% of employers are actively recruiting permanent staff.

For someone starting in Wilmington, this means plenty of chances to break into the field.

These national trends are totally reshaping Wilmington's tech scene.

Local companies are desperately searching for people who know their stuff in cloud security, AI integration, and incident analysis. The salary outlook is pretty sweet too - cybersecurity analysts are looking at starting salaries around $121,500, while engineers can expect about $138,500.

What makes this even better for us in Wilmington is that we're seeing companies becoming more open to training junior professionals, especially in areas like AI security and cloud protection.

The cool thing about Wilmington's growth is how it's connecting with bigger national initiatives.

Local colleges are stepping up their game with new training programs, and companies are investing in entry-level talent. Skills in AI, cloud security, and ethical hacking are super valuable right now.

Even though the job search might take longer than we'd like (sometimes over 12 months for juniors), the growing number of opportunities and competitive salaries make it worth the hustle.

• Massive Global Job Openings (2025): 3.5 million positions worldwide
• Promising Entry-Level Analyst Salary: Starting salaries around $121,500
• Additional Professionals Needed (US): Approximately 265,000 cybersecurity experts** needed

Wilmington's tech scene is absolutely crushing it right now! According to recent data, the city ranks No.

11 in the U.S. with an impressive 27.6% growth in tech talent from 2019 to 2022, making it one of the country's newest emerging tech hubs. Over 11,000 direct tech jobs were created in the Wilmington area, showing a solid 12% growth rate in the past five years.

UNCW's engineering and business schools are stepping up their game with a new cybersecurity program that's already got 150 majors and is expected to double next year.

The job market is seriously heating up too - we're talking about major expansions bringing high-paying tech positions with average salaries hitting $80,000.

New Hanover County alone has over 5,000 jobs in the life sciences sector, and the demand for cybersecurity pros, software developers, and data analysts just keeps growing.

The best part? Local companies are actively partnering with schools to create real opportunities for fresh graduates. Whether you're into coding, cybersecurity, or data science, Wilmington's tech scene is seriously taking off!

Wilmington's cybersecurity scene is seriously taking off! The latest data shows an incredible 33% projected growth rate for 2024, with over 25,000 positions waiting to be filled across North Carolina.

What's even more exciting is that major players like Accenture and Protiviti are actively searching for talent in areas like network security and ethical hacking.

The city has created more than 11,000 new tech jobs in just the last five years, and the momentum keeps building. According to recent industry projections, cybersecurity professionals can expect starting salaries around $81,000, with experienced pros earning well into six figures.

The growth is driven by real needs - companies are getting hit with cyber attacks every 39 seconds, and they need skilled people to protect their data. Whether you're into cloud security, AI, or IoT, Wilmington's tech scene has opportunities for everyone.

Local companies are investing heavily in cybersecurity, with 72% planning to increase their cloud security budgets by 2024. Plus, with eight cybersecurity programs at UNCW and hands-on training opportunities, getting started in this field is more accessible than ever.

The numbers don't lie - this field is absolutely exploding, and Wilmington is right at the center of it all.

Getting started in Wilmington's cybersecurity scene isn't as complicated as it might seem. Essential skills for entry-level positions include understanding computer networks, basic programming knowledge, and solid problem-solving abilities.

The certification landscape is pretty straightforward - CompTIA Security+ remains the go-to starter cert, while CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) opens doors for those interested in penetration testing.

Cybersecurity analysts need both technical and workplace skills to succeed. You've got to know your way around scripting languages like Python and PowerShell, but also be able to communicate effectively with team members who might not speak tech.

The job market is seriously growing - there's a projected 33% growth in security analyst positions through 2033, with starting salaries around $85,000 for digital forensics roles.

Cape Fear Community College has adapted its programs to include these emerging skills, and they're partnering with local tech companies to provide real experience.

The best part? Many companies are now focusing on skills-based hiring rather than requiring traditional degrees, making it easier for newcomers to break into the field.

Whether you're into threat detection, risk analysis, or incident response, there's definitely a path for you in Wilmington's growing cybersecurity sector.

• Entry-level positions require understanding of networks and programming. These are the fundamentals to kick-start your career.
• Certification landscape is straightforward, you need to focus on CompTIA Security+ and CEH for growth opportunities.
• Workplace skills are essential, as communicating effectively across teams can set you apart.
• Real experience through partnerships with local companies can greatly enhance your learning.
• Skills-based hiring is being prioritized by many companies, which lowers the barrier for newcomers.

The cybersecurity job market in Wilmington is seriously taking off, with job demand projected to increase by 35% by 2026.

The salary landscape is pretty exciting - entry-level positions start around $96,540, while experienced professionals can earn well over $124,000. One of the coolest things about Wilmington's tech scene is that entry-level cyber security analysts average $110,949, which is way higher than many other tech hubs.

What's even better is that cyber security architects can make up to $171,000 annually - that's some serious earning potential! The city has major employers like Accenture and Protiviti actively hiring, and they're specifically looking for people with network security and ethical hacking skills.

• Certifications matter: For anyone starting out, getting certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP is super important - they can boost your salary potential significantly.
• Tech Community Growth: What makes Wilmington extra special is how the tech community keeps growing, with over 11,000 new tech jobs added in just the last five years.
• Sector momentum: The fintech and healthcare sectors are driving tons of growth, creating even more opportunities for cybersecurity experts.

If you're thinking about getting into cybersecurity, Wilmington offers this perfect mix of good pay, strong job security, and real chances to move up quickly in your career.

The cybersecurity scene in Wilmington is seriously taking off, with projected growth hitting 33% by 2024.

Over 11,000 new tech jobs have popped up in the last five years, and the demand keeps growing. The coolest part? The average salary for cybersecurity analysts starts at $75,000, with network security engineers making up to $105,000.

If you're into protecting digital assets, major players like Protiviti and Accenture are actively hiring.

Want to get started? UNCW has eight cybersecurity programs, and they're pretty hands-on.

The annual cybersecurity conference is a great place to network and learn about the latest in AI and cloud security.

Right now, employers are looking for skills in network security, ethical hacking, and cloud security - and they're willing to pay for them. With over 25,000 positions open statewide and a growing focus on AI-driven security solutions, there's never been a better time to jump into cybersecurity in Wilmington.

The field is expanding way beyond just basic security - we're talking AI integration, cloud protection, and IoT security.

Plus, with 72% of local companies planning to increase their security budgets, the opportunities are only going to multiply. Whether you're interested in threat detection, incident response, or security consulting, Wilmington's tech scene is ready for fresh talent who can keep up with the rapid pace of digital security.