Every time someone creates an account, makes a purchase, visits a doctor, or applies for a job, they generate data. That data is collected, stored, processed, and shared by organizations that have legal obligations about what they can do with it. The professional who ensures those obligations are met — who sits at the intersection of law, technology, policy, and organizational governance — is the Data Privacy Officer.
In 2026, the role has moved from a compliance checkbox required by European regulation to a strategic business function that virtually every significant organization needs. The global privacy law landscape has expanded dramatically: 137 countries now have data protection legislation in some form, 19 US states have enacted comprehensive consumer privacy laws with enforcement teeth, and the EU AI Act has added a new layer of data governance obligations on top of GDPR for organizations deploying AI systems. The demand for qualified privacy professionals has reached record levels as organizations worldwide race to build the expertise needed to navigate this regulatory complexity.
ZipRecruiter reports an average salary of $119,329 for Data Privacy Officers in the United States as of February 2026, with top earners reaching $194,500. The National Law Review projects 25 percent compound annual growth rate in the DPO job market from 2025 to 2029. The IAPP’s annual Privacy Professionals Salary Survey consistently shows privacy as one of the fastest-growing and best-compensated compliance specializations in the market. Research.com reports average salaries ranging from $90,000 to $130,000 depending on industry, experience, and certification level.
This guide explains what Data Privacy Officers do, what the role pays at every career stage, what education and certifications the role demands, and the step-by-step pathway to building a career in one of the most consequential compliance professions of the decade.
What Is a Data Privacy Officer?
A Data Privacy Officer — sometimes titled Data Protection Officer (DPO), Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), or Privacy Manager depending on the organization and jurisdiction — is the professional responsible for overseeing an organization’s data protection strategy and ensuring compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations.
The role has two distinct dimensions that must operate simultaneously. The legal and compliance dimension requires deep expertise in privacy regulations — GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, PIPEDA, and the growing body of US state privacy laws — and the ability to translate legal obligations into organizational policies, procedures, and controls. The operational and technical dimension requires enough technological understanding to evaluate how data flows through an organization’s systems, where privacy risks arise, and what technical measures are appropriate to mitigate them.
The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation formally established the DPO role in 2018 and requires organizations that process personal data at scale — public authorities, organizations engaged in large-scale systematic monitoring, and organizations processing sensitive personal data at scale — to appoint a qualified DPO. Outside the EU mandate, the role has been adopted more broadly as organizations recognize that privacy governance is both a legal requirement and a trust-building business function.
In 2026, the scope of the Data Privacy Officer role has expanded significantly. The EU AI Act requires data governance documentation for high-risk AI systems that overlaps substantially with GDPR compliance obligations, creating new work at the intersection of privacy and AI governance. The proliferation of US state privacy laws — each with its own specific requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and consumer rights — has created a fragmented compliance environment that requires sophisticated program management. And the scale of data breaches — with the healthcare sector alone setting records for compromised records in 2024 — has elevated privacy from a compliance function to a board-level strategic concern.
What Does a Data Privacy Officer Do?
The day-to-day work of a Data Privacy Officer varies significantly by organization size, industry, and regulatory context. The core responsibilities include the following.
Privacy policy development and governance. Data Privacy Officers develop, implement, and maintain the organization’s privacy policies, procedures, and frameworks. This includes defining how personal data is collected, used, stored, and shared; establishing data retention schedules; and creating the documentation required by applicable regulations — particularly the Records of Processing Activities (ROPA) required under GDPR.
Regulatory compliance monitoring. Privacy law is not static. DPOs monitor changes in applicable regulations, regulatory guidance, and enforcement decisions to ensure the organization’s compliance program stays current. With 19 US states having enacted comprehensive privacy laws and more in the legislative pipeline, this monitoring function has become substantially more complex in 2026 than it was even two years ago.
Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). For processing activities that are likely to result in high risk to individuals — particularly those involving new technologies, large-scale processing of sensitive data, or systematic monitoring — the GDPR requires a formal DPIA. DPOs conduct or oversee these assessments, identifying risks and recommending mitigating measures before new processing begins.
Data breach response. When a personal data breach occurs, the DPO leads or coordinates the response: assessing whether notification to the relevant data protection authority is required (within 72 hours under GDPR), determining whether affected individuals must be notified, and managing the documentation and remediation process.
Training and awareness. Privacy compliance depends on the behavior of everyone in the organization who handles personal data. DPOs develop and deliver training programs that ensure employees understand their data protection obligations and can recognize privacy risks in their day-to-day work.
Liaison with regulators. The DPO serves as the primary point of contact between the organization and data protection authorities. Under GDPR, DPOs have specific protections from dismissal related to their role and must be able to perform their duties with independence from the organizations they serve.
Privacy by design and default. DPOs advise product development, engineering, and procurement teams on how to embed privacy protections into new systems, products, and processes from the design stage rather than adding them retrospectively.
AI governance and data ethics. In 2026, a growing portion of DPO work involves the intersection of privacy and AI. The EU AI Act requires data governance documentation for high-risk AI systems that overlaps directly with GDPR obligations, and organizations deploying AI are looking to their DPOs for guidance on both sets of requirements simultaneously.
Vendor and third-party management. Organizations share personal data with dozens or hundreds of third-party vendors — cloud providers, marketing platforms, HR systems, analytics tools. DPOs manage Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with these vendors, conduct due diligence assessments, and maintain oversight of the data flows that cross organizational boundaries.
How to Become a Data Privacy Officer: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Build the Right Educational Foundation
Data privacy is a genuinely interdisciplinary field, and there is no single prescribed educational pathway. The most relevant backgrounds share one common thread: they develop the analytical reasoning, communication skills, and regulatory literacy that the role demands.
Law or Legal Studies. Historically the most common pathway for senior DPO and Chief Privacy Officer roles. A law degree provides deep expertise in regulatory interpretation, contractual drafting, and the legal reasoning skills that privacy governance demands. Many of the most senior privacy professionals are qualified lawyers who have specialized in data protection and privacy law. However, a law degree is not required for the role — only an expert understanding of data protection law is, and that can be developed through focused study and certification.
Information Systems or Cybersecurity. A technical background in information systems or cybersecurity is increasingly valued as privacy has become more technically complex. The CDPSE (Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer) certification from ISACA is specifically designed for technically oriented privacy professionals who implement privacy by design in IT systems. Research.com notes that most privacy officers hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in law, information systems, cybersecurity, or healthcare administration.
Computer Science with Privacy or Ethics Focus. CS graduates who develop deep privacy expertise — particularly in privacy-enhancing technologies, anonymization techniques, and privacy by design principles — are well positioned for privacy engineering roles that combine technical implementation with governance oversight.
Business Administration or Public Administration. For DPO roles in corporate or government contexts, a business or public administration background combined with privacy specialization provides the organizational management and stakeholder communication skills that the role requires.
Healthcare Administration or Public Health. For DPOs working in healthcare — where HIPAA compliance adds a layer of sector-specific regulation to broader privacy obligations — a healthcare administration or public health background provides essential domain knowledge. Healthcare is one of the highest-paying sectors for privacy professionals due to the regulatory complexity and the sensitivity of the data involved.
The key educational point is this: the field welcomes professionals from diverse educational backgrounds provided they develop genuine expertise in privacy law and the technical dimensions of data protection. The IAPP — the International Association of Privacy Professionals, the global standard-setting body for privacy credentials — emphasizes that practical competence in privacy program management, regulatory interpretation, and risk assessment is what employers actually need, and these competencies can be developed through multiple educational routes.
Step 2: Develop Core Privacy Competencies
Regardless of educational background, Data Privacy Officers in 2026 need substantive knowledge across several domains:
Privacy law and regulation. GDPR is the foundational global privacy standard, and deep familiarity with its requirements — lawful bases for processing, data subject rights, controller and processor obligations, cross-border transfer mechanisms, and the DPO role itself — is the baseline. Beyond GDPR, practitioners need working knowledge of CCPA/CPRA (California), the growing body of US state privacy laws, HIPAA for healthcare contexts, and PIPEDA for Canadian operations. Understanding of the EU AI Act data governance requirements is increasingly essential in 2026.
Privacy program management. Building, implementing, and managing a privacy program involves more than legal knowledge. It requires project management, stakeholder communication, policy writing, training design, and the ability to translate legal requirements into operational procedures that people can actually follow.
Records of processing and data mapping. The Records of Processing Activities (ROPA) required under GDPR — and the data mapping exercise that produces them — requires systematic documentation of what personal data is collected, where it comes from, how it is used, who it is shared with, how long it is retained, and what security measures protect it. This capability is foundational.
Data Protection Impact Assessments. Understanding how to conduct DPIAs — when they are required, what they must cover, and how to document findings — is a core DPO skill.
Technical privacy controls. Understanding the technical measures used to protect personal data — encryption, pseudonymization, access controls, anonymization, and privacy-enhancing technologies — is increasingly required as DPOs are expected to evaluate the adequacy of technical security measures under GDPR Article 32.
AI and data governance intersection. In 2026, understanding how GDPR obligations interact with EU AI Act requirements for high-risk AI systems is an emerging competency that commands a premium in the privacy job market.
Step 3: Obtain the Right Certifications
Privacy certification is the most important differentiator in the Data Privacy Officer job market. Unlike many technical roles where portfolio work speaks for itself, privacy governance is a credential-intensive field where specific certifications are frequently required or explicitly preferred in job postings. The IAPP is the dominant certification body globally, and its credentials are the recognized benchmark for privacy professionals worldwide.
Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) — IAPP. The foundational IAPP certification, available in five jurisdictional concentrations: CIPP/US (United States law and framework), CIPP/E (European law and GDPR), CIPP/C (Canadian privacy law), CIPP/A (Asian privacy law), and CIPP/CN (Chinese privacy law). The CIPP/E is the most globally recognized concentration — even for professionals outside Europe — because GDPR has influenced privacy legislation worldwide. The CIPP/US is the most relevant for practitioners focused on US state law compliance. Cost: approximately $550 for members, $750 for non-members. Exam format: 90 questions over 2.5 hours. IAPP certification produces a median salary uplift of 10–15 percent.
Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) — IAPP. Where the CIPP demonstrates legal knowledge, the CIPM demonstrates operational program management capability — building privacy programs, implementing frameworks, managing operations, measuring performance, and leading teams. Most senior DPOs and Chief Privacy Officers hold both CIPP and CIPM. The GDPR explicitly requires DPOs to have both expert knowledge of data protection law (addressed by CIPP/E) and the ability to maintain a privacy program (addressed by CIPM). Pairing CIPP/E + CIPM is the standard credentialing combination for GDPR-mandated DPO roles. Cost: approximately $550 for members.
Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) — IAPP. The technical arm of the IAPP credential family. Designed for IT, information security, and software development professionals who need to implement privacy by design in technology systems. Covers privacy-enhancing technologies, anonymization, privacy risk assessment in technical contexts, and building privacy into products. The most relevant IAPP credential for technically oriented privacy professionals and privacy engineers. Cost: approximately $550 for members.
Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) — IAPP. The senior leadership credential from IAPP. Requires holding CIPP, CIPM, and CIPT certifications simultaneously. Represents the highest level of IAPP recognition and is the credential profile associated with Chief Privacy Officer and global DPO program leadership roles. Prerequisite requirement means it takes at least 12 to 18 months of certification work to achieve.
Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) — ISACA. Specifically designed for technically oriented privacy professionals who implement privacy by design in IT systems. Focuses on privacy governance, privacy architecture, and data lifecycle management from an engineering perspective. Complements IAPP credentials for professionals working at the intersection of security and privacy. Three years of experience in privacy governance, architecture, or data lifecycle required.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) — ISC2. While primarily a security certification, the CISSP is held by many senior DPOs who came from security backgrounds or who manage both security and privacy programs. Its coverage of data security, access management, and cryptography overlaps significantly with technical DPO responsibilities.
Certified Data Protection Officer (CDPO) — EXIN / PECB. Practitioner-level certifications specifically focused on the GDPR DPO function. More narrowly focused than the IAPP credentials but recognized by European employers and directly aligned with the GDPR DPO role definition. Relevant for professionals specifically targeting EU-mandated DPO roles.
The strategic certification path. Programs.com advises that CIPP certification produces a median salary uplift of 10–15 percent. Captain Compliance’s analysis of certification pathways recommends: for aspiring DPOs in EU/UK contexts, CIPP/E → CIPM → ISO/IEC 27701 Implementer; for privacy engineers and architects, CIPT → CDPSE → CCSP; for US-focused compliance professionals, CIPP/US → CIPM → CDPSE.
Step 4: Build Relevant Experience
Data Privacy Officers typically reach the role after several years in adjacent functions. The most common entry pathways are:
Compliance analyst or officer. Entry-level compliance roles — ensuring organizational adherence to regulatory requirements across any domain — build the foundational skills of policy interpretation, documentation, monitoring, and stakeholder communication that DPO work demands. The BLS reports a median salary of $78,420 for compliance officers as of May 2024, with approximately 33,300 annual openings.
Legal counsel or paralegal. Legal professionals who develop privacy specialization — through GDPR implementation projects, CCPA compliance work, or privacy litigation — are well positioned for DPO roles. The BLS reports a median salary of $151,160 for lawyers as of May 2024.
Information security analyst. Security professionals who develop privacy expertise — particularly those who have worked on GDPR technical compliance, data breach response, or privacy by design implementation — have a technical depth that is increasingly valued in DPO roles. The BLS reports a median salary of $124,910 for information security analysts as of May 2024, with 29 percent projected employment growth through 2034.
Privacy analyst or privacy program coordinator. Many organizations now have dedicated privacy teams with analyst-level positions that provide direct privacy work experience. These roles are the most direct pathway into DPO work and are typically where IAPP-certified professionals first apply their credentials.
Healthcare compliance or HIPAA compliance specialist. In the healthcare sector specifically, professionals with HIPAA expertise are valuable candidates for healthcare DPO roles, which carry premium compensation due to the complexity of HIPAA combined with GDPR for multi-national organizations.
Step 5: Understand the DPO Career Progression
The Data Privacy Officer career family has a clear seniority structure:
Privacy Analyst / Privacy Coordinator (Entry level, $50,000–$80,000). Supports the privacy program — maintaining records of processing activities, assisting with DPIAs, responding to data subject requests, and supporting training delivery. Typically requires 0–2 years of experience and CIPP certification (in progress or completed).
Privacy Manager / Data Privacy Officer (Mid-level, $80,000–$150,000). Manages the organization’s privacy program independently or with a small team. Conducts DPIAs, manages vendor data processing agreements, leads training programs, and advises business units on privacy compliance. Typically requires 3–5 years of experience, CIPP and CIPM certification, and a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Senior Data Privacy Officer / Privacy Counsel (Senior level, $120,000–$180,000). Leads privacy compliance for a major business unit or region, manages complex cross-border data transfers, advises on M&A privacy due diligence, and represents the organization in regulator engagement. Typically requires 7+ years of experience, multiple IAPP certifications, and often a law degree or JD.
Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) (Executive level, $201,190–$270,314 average). Leads the organization’s entire privacy strategy, reports to the C-suite or board, and is accountable for enterprise-wide privacy governance. Salary.com reports an average CPO salary of $234,957 as of 2026. PayScale data shows experienced professionals averaging $276,000. Requires 10+ years of privacy leadership experience, typically a law degree or advanced degree, and FIP or equivalent senior credentials.
Data Privacy Officer Salary: What Can You Earn?
Role / Level
Salary Range (2026)
Source
Entry-level Privacy Analyst
$50,000 — $80,000
Teal / Research.com 2026
Data Privacy Officer (average, all levels)
$119,329
ZipRecruiter, Feb 2026
Data Privacy Officer (25th–75th percentile)
$84,000 — $152,500
ZipRecruiter 2026
Data Privacy Officer (top earners, 90th percentile)
$181,000 — $194,500
ZipRecruiter 2026
Data Privacy Officer (Jobicy average)
$133,000
Jobicy 2026
Privacy Officer (typical range)
$90,000 — $130,000
Research.com 2026
Mid-level Data Privacy Officer
$80,000 — $150,000
Teal 2026
Senior DPO / Privacy Counsel
$120,000 — $180,000
Teal 2026
Chief Privacy Officer (average)
$234,957
Salary.com 2026
Chief Privacy Officer (range)
$201,190 — $270,314
Salary.com 2026
Chief Privacy Officer (experienced, PayScale)
$276,000 average
PayScale via Cybersecurity Guide 2026
The BLS-tracked occupations most closely mapped to Data Privacy Officer roles:
Related BLS Occupation
Median Salary (May 2024)
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Compliance Officer
$78,420
3%
Information Security Analyst
$124,910
29%
Lawyer
$151,160
4%
Management Analyst
$101,190
9%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
The substantial premium that privacy specialization commands above the general compliance officer baseline ($78,420) reflects the scarcity of professionals who combine legal regulatory expertise with technical privacy program management capability — and that premium is growing as regulatory complexity increases faster than the talent supply.
Best Degrees for Becoming a Data Privacy Officer: Overview
School
Program
Accreditation
Why It’s Relevant
Georgetown University Law Center
JD with Privacy and Technology Law focus
ABA
Top law school; DC regulatory access; privacy law specialization
George Washington University
BA/BS in Cybersecurity; JD
ABA / HLC
Proximity to federal regulators; dual law and technical pathways
University of California, Berkeley
BS in Data Science; JD (Boalt Hall)
WASC
Strong privacy research; Tech policy access; Bay Area tech industry
Carnegie Mellon University
BS in Information Security; MS in Privacy Engineering
MSCHE / ABET
Only MS in Privacy Engineering in the US; world-class program
University of Washington
BS in Informatics; JD
NWCCU / ABA
Human-centered computing; strong privacy policy curriculum
Fordham University
JD with IP and Technology focus
ABA
Top-ranked IP/privacy law; NYC financial and tech industry access
American University
BA in Cybersecurity; JD (Washington College of Law)
SACSCOC / ABA
DC regulatory ecosystem; strong privacy policy connections
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
BS in Information Sciences
HLC / ABET
Data governance specialization; strong information systems curriculum
Indiana University (Kelley)
BS in Business Analytics
HLC / AACSB
Compliance + analytics combination; strong business privacy pathway
New York University
LLM in Cybersecurity Law
ABA
NYC proximity; financial services and tech sector privacy access
Top Data Privacy Officer Certifications: Overview
Certification
Issuing Body
Cost
Focus
Best For
CIPP/E
IAPP
~$550–$750
GDPR; European privacy law
GDPR-mandated DPO roles; globally recognized
CIPP/US
IAPP
~$550–$750
US privacy law (CCPA, HIPAA, state laws)
US-focused compliance roles
CIPM
IAPP
~$550
Privacy program management
Program managers; required for DPO GDPR competency
CIPT
IAPP
~$550
Privacy technology implementation
Privacy engineers; technical DPOs
FIP
IAPP
Application fee
Senior privacy leadership
CPO; global DPO program leaders (requires CIPP + CIPM + CIPT)
CDPSE
ISACA
~$575
Privacy solutions engineering
Technical privacy professionals; security-privacy overlap
CDPO
EXIN / PECB
Varies
GDPR DPO function
EU-mandated DPO role candidates
CISSP
ISC2
$749
Broad security and privacy leadership
DPOs from security backgrounds
Data Privacy Officer Job Outlook: What the Numbers Say
The BLS projects 3 percent employment growth for compliance officers generally through 2034 — a modest figure that dramatically understates the specific demand for privacy-specialized compliance professionals. Privacy is a high-growth specialization within the broader compliance category, driven by forces that do not affect general compliance work.
The most reliable demand indicators are sector-specific:
25% CAGR projected for the DPO job market from 2025 to 2029 (National Law Review)
15% annual growth in Data Privacy Officer demand (Jobicy 2026)
137 countries now have data protection legislation in some form — each creating DPO demand
19 US states have enacted comprehensive consumer privacy laws as of 2026, with more in the pipeline
EU AI Act full enforcement August 2026 — creating new data governance obligations for AI deployments that overlap with DPO responsibilities
~1,200 live DPO/data protection officer openings in the US as of early 2026 (Programs.com analysis)
Record demand for privacy professionals reported by IAPP’s 2025/2026 Privacy Professionals Salary Survey
10–15% salary uplift for IAPP-certified professionals over non-certified counterparts
The talent gap is structural. Privacy as a formal discipline is relatively young — the GDPR has existed in its current form since 2018 — and the pipeline of trained, certified privacy professionals has not kept pace with the regulatory expansion that is driving demand. This gap is expected to persist for at least the next five to seven years.
Is Becoming a Data Privacy Officer Right for You?
Data privacy is the right career direction for people who find the intersection of law, technology, and organizational ethics genuinely interesting — who are comfortable reading and interpreting regulatory text, translating it into practical operational guidance, and communicating across the full spectrum of an organization from engineers to board members.
It is a career that sits at the center of one of the defining tensions of the modern economy: the conflict between the enormous commercial value of personal data and the fundamental human rights claims that individuals have over information about themselves. Data Privacy Officers are the professionals who hold that tension in place and ensure it is managed responsibly.
The financial case is strong at every career stage. Entry-level roles pay $50,000 to $80,000. Mid-level DPO roles pay $80,000 to $152,500. Senior roles exceed $180,000. Chief Privacy Officers average $234,957 and experienced practitioners can reach $276,000 or more. The role is accessible from multiple educational backgrounds, is highly portable across industries, and offers the work stability that comes with being the person who ensures the organization does not receive a regulatory fine of up to 4 percent of global annual turnover.
How to Become a Data Privacy Officer FAQ
What qualifications do you need to be a Data Privacy Officer?
There is no single required qualification. The GDPR requires DPOs to have “expert knowledge of data protection law and practices” — it does not specify a degree. In practice, most DPOs hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in law, information systems, cybersecurity, or business administration, combined with IAPP certifications (CIPP and CIPM at minimum). A law degree is common but not mandatory. Research.com notes that the combination of legal, technical, and compliance expertise is what employers look for.
How much does a Data Privacy Officer make in 2026?
ZipRecruiter reports an average of $119,329, with top earners reaching $194,500 and the typical range between $84,000 and $152,500. Research.com reports the typical range as $90,000 to $130,000. At the Chief Privacy Officer level, Salary.com reports an average of $234,957, with experienced professionals reaching $276,000 according to PayScale. IAPP certification produces a median salary uplift of 10–15 percent above uncertified peers.
What is the difference between a Data Privacy Officer and a Data Protection Officer?
The titles are used interchangeably in most contexts. “Data Protection Officer” (DPO) is the specific term used in the GDPR, which formally mandates the appointment of a DPO for qualifying organizations. “Data Privacy Officer” and “Chief Privacy Officer” are broader titles used in the United States and other jurisdictions that do not have GDPR’s specific DPO mandate. In practice, the roles involve the same core competencies and the same body of privacy law knowledge.
Do you need a law degree to become a Data Privacy Officer?
No. A law degree is not required, though it is common at the senior and CPO levels. The GDPR specifies that DPOs must have “expert knowledge of data protection law and practices” — expertise that can be developed through focused study, professional certifications (particularly CIPP and CIPM from the IAPP), and practical experience in privacy compliance. Many successful DPOs have backgrounds in information systems, cybersecurity, healthcare administration, or business rather than law.
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Compliance Officers (bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/compliance-officers.htm); BLS OOH — Information Security Analysts; BLS OOH — Lawyers; BLS OOH — Management Analysts; ZipRecruiter, Data Privacy Officer Salary, February 2026 (ziprecruiter.com); Jobicy, Data Privacy Officer Salary in United States 2026; Research.com, What Does a Privacy Officer Do: Responsibilities, Requirements, and Salary 2026; Salary.com, Chief Privacy Officer Salary 2026; Teal, What is a Data Privacy Officer 2026 (tealhq.com); Teal, Data Privacy Officer Certifications 2026; Programs.com, How to Become a Data Protection Officer 2026; IAPP, Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) 2026; IAPP, CIPM vs CIPP Certification Comparison 2026; Captain Compliance, Data Privacy Credentials Guide 2025; National Law Review, Privacy Officer Career Outlook 2025; Cybersecurity Guide, How to Become a Data Protection Officer 2026. All BLS salary and employment projection figures reflect May 2024 data, the most recent published by BLS as of 2026.