Cyber Security Specialist Salary in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average Cyber Security Specialist salary lies between USD 95,000 and USD 160,000 in the United States. 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.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). 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, Monitoring and Cloud. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 31 jobs Monitoring | 31 jobs Cloud | 31 jobs Incident response | 25 jobs Computer Science | 25 jobs CISSP | 23 jobs Automation | 22 jobs Azure | 21 jobs Forensics | 20 jobs Vulnerabilities | 20 jobs NIST | 20 jobs Risk management | 19 jobs Risk assessment | 18 jobs AWS | 18 jobs SOC | 18 jobs SIEM | 17 jobs Threat intelligence | 17 jobs SANS | 16 jobs Clearance | 16 jobs Agile | 15 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, Startup environment and Team events. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 41 jobs Startup environment | 37 jobs Team events | 31 jobs Flex hours | 30 jobs Competitive pay | 13 jobs Health care | 11 jobs 401(k) matching | 7 jobs Flex vacation | 6 jobs Equity / stock options | 5 jobs Parental leave | 3 jobs Conferences | 3 jobs Medical leave | 3 jobs Salary bonus | 3 jobs Wellness | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Transparency | 2 jobs Insurance | 2 jobs Relocation support | 1 jobs Yoga | 1 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Cyber Security Specialist can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary is composed of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. This base salary can range from $80,000 to $130,000, depending on the aforementioned factors. In addition to the base salary, many companies offer performance-based bonuses, which can range from 5% to 20% of the base salary. These bonuses are often tied to individual performance metrics or company-wide goals.

Additional remuneration may include stock options, especially in tech companies or startups, and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. In regions with a high cost of living, such as the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City, salaries tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum to compensate for living expenses. Similarly, larger companies or those in industries with high security demands, like finance or healthcare, may offer more competitive compensation packages.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from the position of a Cyber Security Specialist, consider the following steps:

• Pursue Advanced Certifications: Obtaining advanced certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) can significantly enhance your credentials and make you eligible for higher-paying roles.

• Gain Specialized Skills: Specializing in niche areas like cloud security, penetration testing, or threat intelligence can make you more valuable to employers and open up opportunities for higher-paying positions.

• Seek Leadership Roles: Transitioning into a managerial or leadership role, such as a Cyber Security Manager or Director, can lead to substantial salary increases.

• Network and Stay Informed: Engage with professional networks and stay updated on industry trends. This can lead to opportunities in higher-paying companies or roles.

• Consider Relocation: If feasible, relocating to a region with higher demand for cybersecurity professionals can result in better salary offers.

Educational Requirements

Most Cyber Security Specialist positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cyber Security. Some employers may accept equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree, but having formal education can be advantageous. Advanced positions may require a master's degree in Cyber Security or a related discipline, which can also help in commanding a higher salary.

Helpful Certifications

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

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• CompTIA Security+
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

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

Experience Requirements

Typically, a Cyber Security Specialist role requires 3 to 5 years of experience in IT or cybersecurity. This experience should include hands-on work with security technologies, understanding of security protocols, and familiarity with risk assessment and mitigation strategies. Experience in specific areas such as network security, incident response, or security architecture can be particularly beneficial.

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