Paid Cybersecurity Training Nearby — earn while you learn (real programs, pay, and how to apply)
Want to become a cybersecurity professional without paying for a degree? Explore U.S. "earn-while-you-learn" paths like apprenticeships, paid bootcamps, and government-funded programs. Below, find 4–5 real programs, their requirements, expected pay, how to apply, and ways to access public funding — so readers can take the next step fast.
Quick map: the kinds of paid cybersecurity training you’ll see
1.Company apprenticeships (big employers hire & train — paid from day one).
2.Nonprofit/bootcamp + registered apprenticeship blends (classroom + employer OJT with a wage).
3.Industry apprenticeship pipelines run by consulting firms or large IT employers.
4.Scholarship + service programs for federal work (government-funded scholarships that lead to paid government jobs).
5.Workforce/WIOA or community-college cohorts that employers hire from and sometimes pay during on-the-job time.
Below are real examples and how they work in practice.
1) IBM Apprenticeship — corporate, registered, and paid
🔹What it is: IBM runs registered apprenticeships in tech roles (including cybersecurity/analyst tracks) where apprentices are employees who learn on the job with classroom time. Apprentices are paid and earn credentials while working on real projects. IBM promotes this as a “no-degree” pathway into security roles. How it pays: apprentices receive a salary/wage as employees (rates vary by location and role) and progress through wage steps as they learn.
🔹How to apply: search IBM’s apprenticeship/careers page and apply online; recruitment windows open periodically.
🔹Who fits: people with a high-school diploma/GED or equivalent technical foundation; employers look for curiosity, reliability, and basic IT aptitude. Expect background checks and standard onboarding requirements.
2) Per Scholas — Registered Cybersecurity Apprenticeship (bootcamp + OJT)
🔹What it is: Per Scholas operates a nationally recognized registered cybersecurity apprenticeship that combines ~15 weeks of technical classroom training with many weeks of employer on-the-job training. Apprentices earn industry certs (e.g., CompTIA, CySA+ depending on track) and are placed with hiring partners. Per Scholas’ model is explicitly built to be an “earn & learn” pipeline with employer-paid roles at the OJT stage.
🔹How to apply: apply via Per Scholas’ website where local cohorts and intake windows are posted.
🔹Pay & outcomes: published program materials and alumni reports show apprentices moving into roles with competitive entry salaries after completion; Per Scholas highlights strong post-program wage gains. Employers typically pay apprentices during the OJT phase.
3) Accenture & Large-Consulting Apprenticeships — corporate cohorts
🔹What it is: Large consultancies and integrators (Accenture, Deloitte, etc.) run year-long paid apprenticeship or rotational programs that accept candidates into cyber teams. These programs combine mentoring, client work, and classroom instruction and usually pay a full-time salary and benefits during the program.
🔹How to apply: company careers pages list “apprentice” or “early talent” cyber roles; applications often include aptitude assessments and interviews.
🔹Who fits: people who want consulting/enterprise security careers with possible remote work and client exposure; competition is stiff but pay and benefits are solid.
4) CyberForward Academy Apprenticeship
🔹What it is: CyberForward Academy Apprenticeship is a paid, entry-level cybersecurity & IT support apprenticeship that runs 6–12 months with a hybrid (California) or remote delivery option. Apprentices are employed while they train and typically earn about $18–$24 per hour. The program prepares participants for job-ready roles (help desk, support tech, junior security roles) and includes industry certifications such as CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ as part of the curriculum.
🔹How to apply: Apply on the CyberForward website — the apprenticeship uses rolling admissions, so applicants can submit at any time. The application process usually asks for basic personal details and a readiness assessment (CyberForward’s “Tech Worker Readiness Score” helps place candidates in the right track). After application you may be invited to a short screening or interview to confirm fit and availability; accepted candidates receive onboarding details and start dates.
🔹Who fits:
This apprenticeship suits:
Recent high-school graduates or career-changers with little or no prior IT experience;
Adults who prefer a paid, hands-on route into tech rather than a long degree;
People aiming to earn industry certifications (A+, Security+) while gaining real work experience;
Those who need flexible/hybrid training because of location or other commitments.
CyberForward explicitly targets entry-level talent and measures readiness with its tech worker assessment to match people to appropriate roles.
5) Government-backed routes: CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) + Apprenticeship.gov / WIOA
🔹What it is: CyberCorps SFS — a long-running federal program funded by NSF — provides scholarship support for undergraduate or graduate cybersecurity studies in return for a service commitment to a federal, state, local or tribal government employer after graduation. Separately, Apprenticeship.gov and local workforce boards now list registered cybersecurity apprenticeships and employer cohorts; WIOA/Workforce funds are commonly used by American Job Centers to help eligible adults access cybersecurity classes and apprenticeship entry.
🔹How to use them: if you’re targeting public-sector security work, SFS is a direct pipeline; if you need tuition or training supports, contact your local American Job Center about WIOA-eligible cybersecurity cohorts and employer partners.
🔹Practical note: SFS is a scholarship with a service obligation (not an instant paid job while training), whereas DOL-registered apprenticeships and WIOA-backed cohorts typically give more direct paid employment options during OJT.
What employers expect & what you’ll need
Typical entry requirements across these paid programs:
🔸High-school diploma or equivalent (some roles accept associates degrees).
🔸Basic IT familiarity (networking, command line, or experience from short courses helps).
🔸Pass background checks, drug screens, and sometimes security clearances for defense contractors.
🔸Willingness to study for certs (Security+, CySA+, Splunk, or vendor certs) — many programs include these certs.
Typical pay: paid apprenticeships and company cohorts commonly start in the $40k–$60k annual range for advanced apprentices or near-entry analysts depending on geography and employer; shorter bootcamps that lead to hired roles commonly see starting salaries in that band after placement. Some earn-while-you-learn models pay hourly during training (apprentice hourly rates vary). Sources note typical apprentice wages from roughly $18–$24/hr in some earn-while-learn programs, rising after certification and placement.
How to apply — a simple checklist
1.Pick the path: corporate apprenticeship (IBM/Accenture), nonprofit registered apprenticeship (Per Scholas), intensive academy (SANS), or government scholarship (SFS).
2.Prepare basic documents: resume, photo ID, HS diploma/GED, and a clear record (background checks/clearances are common).
3.Brush up on basics: free or low-cost intro materials (networking basics, Linux command line, basic security concepts) help pass aptitude screens.
4.Apply at the program page: IBM Careers, Per Scholas apprenticeships, Accenture early-talent/apprenticeship pages, SANS academy partner pages, and Apprenticeship.gov for registered listings.
5.Follow up: recruiters sometimes run cohorted intakes; show interest and ask about start dates, pay during OJT, certifications included, and any service commitments.
Bottom line — which route fits you?
🔸Want to earn a steady paycheck while you train? Target company apprenticeships and registered apprenticeship cohorts (IBM, Accenture, Per Scholas employer partners).
🔸Want a pathway into federal work with strong tuition support? Look at CyberCorps SFS (with its post-graduation service commitment).
🔸Want a fast, cert-heavy pathway with employer hiring? Watch SANS Cyber Academy partnerships and Per Scholas registered apprenticeships.
Cybersecurity Registered Apprenticeship