How to become a Digital Forensics Analyst

Official title: Digital Forensics Analysts

Also called: Computer Forensics Analyst, Digital Forensic Examiner, Digital Forensics Examiner, Digital Forensics Specialist

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.

Main tasks

• Duplicate digital evidence to use for data recovery and analysis procedures.
• Preserve and maintain digital forensic evidence for analysis.
• Adhere to legal policies and procedures related to handling digital media.
• Write reports, sign affidavits, or give depositions for legal proceedings.
• Perform forensic investigations of operating or file systems.
• Create system images or capture network settings from information technology environments to preserve as evidence.
• Maintain knowledge of laws, regulations, policies or other issuances pertaining to digital forensics or information privacy.
• Write technical summaries to report findings.

How to become one

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Cyber Digital Forensics Analyst.
• College: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $116,580 a year The middle half earn $79,370 to $157,500.
• About 471,200 people work in this job now, and about 495,300 are projected by 2035. (+5.1%)
• People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Related jobs

• Web Administrators
• Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
• Document Management Specialists
• Penetration Testers
• Information Security Engineers
• Blockchain Engineers

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Digital Forensics Analyst?

Ways in include: Computing & IT degrees; Cyber Digital Forensics Analyst.

How much does a Digital Forensics Analyst earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $116,580 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $79,370 to $157,500.

Is a Digital Forensics Analyst a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 471,200 to about 495,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Digital Forensics Analyst?

Not always. 57% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Computing & IT degrees; Cyber Digital Forensics Analyst.

Will AI change the work of a Digital Forensics Analyst?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the 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. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.