Cryptanalyst

Cryptanalysts design, implement, and analyze algorithms for solving problems. They analyze and decipher secret coding systems and decode messages for military, political, or law enforcement agencies or organizations.

Summary

Cryptanalysts provide privacy for people and corporations, and keep hackers out of important data systems. They are constantly working on new ways to encrypt information.

Potential Employers:

Cryptanalysts are employed by educational institutions, bank and trust companies, financial institutions, insurance companies, scientific institutions, and research agencies. They also may work for telecommunications companies, computer design firms, consulting firms, science and engineering firms, and all levels of government, including special services and intelligence agencies.

Educational Requirements

Most cryptanalysts have at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics or computer science. Many cryptanalysts have graduate degrees in mathematics. A Ph.D. is usually required for cryptanalysts employed in a research environment or those who teach at the university level.

Salary Information 2023

According to the Federal Pay Scale, the salary of a Cryptanalyst in 2023 was $134,998. Note that the Federal Pay Scale is determined on strict criteria that candidates meet in order to qualify for levels with associated salaries. For more information, see the GS pay schedule here.

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Information retrieved from We Use Math: Cryptanalyst.