# Digital Forensics Analysts

> Conduct investigations on computer-based crimes establishing documentary or physical evidence, such as digital media and logs associated with cyber intrusion incidents. Analyze digital evidence and investigate computer security incidents to derive information in support of system and network vulnerability mitigation. Preserve and present computer-related evidence in support of criminal, fraud, counterintelligence, or law enforcement investigations.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/digital-forensics-analysts
- SOC code: 15-1299.06
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $116,580 (10th percentile $55,940, 90th percentile $188,470)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.1%
- Openings a year: 27,000
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Computer occupations, all other".

## Interest profile (code ICR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 37 |
| Investigative (I) | 85 |
| Artistic (A) | 12 |
| Social (S) | 11 |
| Enterprising (E) | 28 |
| Conventional (C) | 84 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 96/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 91/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 87/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 86/100)
- Getting Information (importance 86/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 83/100)
- Processing Information (importance 82/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 78/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 76/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 74/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking, Writing, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Systems Analysis

## Knowledge

Computers and Electronics, Law and Government, English Language, Engineering and Technology, Customer and Personal Service, Public Safety and Security, Telecommunications, Education and Training, Administrative, Mathematics

## Also called

Computer Forensics Analyst, Cyber Defense Analyst, Cyber Digital Forensics, Cyber Digital Media Analyst, Cyber Forensics Analyst, Cyber Intelligence Analyst, Cyber Threat Analyst, Cyber Threat Hunter, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst (Cyber Analyst)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1101) (CIP 1101, 1,547 colleges)
- [Chemistry](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4005) (CIP 4005, 1,371 colleges)
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1110) (CIP 1110, 1,184 colleges)
- [Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1107) (CIP 1107, 1,070 colleges)
- [Security Science and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4304) (CIP 4304, 513 colleges)
- [Information Science/Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1104) (CIP 1104, 446 colleges)
- [Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2611) (CIP 2611, 200 colleges)
- [Medical Illustration and Informatics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5127) (CIP 5127, 178 colleges)
- [Data Processing](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1103) (CIP 1103, 149 colleges)
- [Mathematics and Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3008) (CIP 3008, 113 colleges)
- [Computational Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3030) (CIP 3030, 109 colleges)
- [Human Computer Interaction](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3031) (CIP 3031, 60 colleges)
- Accounting and Computer Science (CIP 3016, 17 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Computer Science | $173,492 | $268,121 | $19,000 |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $143,850 | $241,380 | $11,000 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Computer Science | $171,815 | $225,141 | $10,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Computer Science | $151,551 | $223,309 | $12,500 |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Computer Science | $155,162 | $217,973 | not reported |
| [Pomona College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pomona-college-2139) | Computer Science | $100,072 | $217,051 | not reported |
| [Stanford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stanford-university-2589) | Computer Science | $157,763 | $214,907 | $12,000 |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Computer Science | $141,816 | $214,479 | $15,000 |

## Related careers

- [Information Security Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-security-analysts): $129,180 median pay
- [Information Security Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-security-engineers): $116,580 median pay
- [Intelligence Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/intelligence-analysts): $93,790 median pay
- [Penetration Testers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/penetration-testers): $116,580 median pay
- [Security Management Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/security-management-specialists): $83,050 median pay
- [Security Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/security-managers): $106,660 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.