Cyber Security Specialist Salary in 2024

Salary details

The average Cyber Security Specialist salary lies between USD 78,000 and USD 122,600 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 15, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Cyber Security Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Cyber Security Specialist job listings are Compliance, CISSP and NIST. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 131 jobs CISSP | 111 jobs NIST | 100 jobs Vulnerabilities | 86 jobs Risk management | 84 jobs Computer Science | 83 jobs Monitoring | 78 jobs Cloud | 78 jobs Clearance | 75 jobs SIEM | 70 jobs Firewalls | 64 jobs Incident response | 63 jobs Audits | 54 jobs ISO 27001 | 54 jobs Network security | 52 jobs Governance | 51 jobs Risk assessment | 50 jobs CISA | 49 jobs Strategy | 47 jobs CISM | 46 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Cyber Security Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Cyber Security Specialist job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 124 jobs Health care | 99 jobs Flex hours | 86 jobs Competitive pay | 59 jobs Team events | 56 jobs Insurance | 49 jobs Startup environment | 48 jobs Equity / stock options | 46 jobs 401(k) matching | 33 jobs Flex vacation | 32 jobs Salary bonus | 31 jobs Parental leave | 25 jobs Wellness | 21 jobs Medical leave | 21 jobs Relocation support | 13 jobs Fitness / gym | 11 jobs Transparency | 6 jobs Flexible spending account | 6 jobs Conferences | 5 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs

Salary Composition for a Cyber Security Specialist

The salary composition for a Cyber Security Specialist can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Generally, the salary is composed of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. In the United States, for instance, the base salary might account for 70-85% of the total compensation. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profitability, typically make up 10-20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration may include stock options, especially in tech companies, and other benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. In larger companies or those in high-demand industries like finance or technology, the bonus and additional remuneration components might be more substantial.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Cyber Security Specialist Position

To increase your salary from a Cyber Security Specialist position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update and expand your technical skills, especially in emerging areas like cloud security, AI, and machine learning.
• Certifications: Obtain advanced certifications that are recognized in the industry, such as CISSP or CISM.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network by attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, and participating in online forums.
• Advanced Education: Pursue further education, such as a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related field.
• Leadership Roles: Seek opportunities to take on leadership roles or manage projects, which can demonstrate your capability for higher-level positions.
• Industry Transition: Consider moving to industries that pay higher salaries for cybersecurity roles, such as finance or healthcare.

Educational Requirements for a Cyber Security Specialist

Most Cyber Security Specialist positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. Some employers may accept candidates with equivalent experience or certifications in lieu of a formal degree. Advanced positions might require a master's degree or specialized training in cybersecurity.

Helpful Certifications for Cyber Security Specialists

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your employability and salary potential. Some of the most common and beneficial certifications include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• CompTIA Security+
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

These certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate to employers.

Experience Required for Cyber Security Specialist Roles

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 2-5 years of experience in IT or cybersecurity roles. This experience should include hands-on work with security technologies, risk assessment, and incident response. Experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can also be advantageous due to the unique security challenges they present.

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