Incident Response Lead Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Incident Response Lead salary lies between USD 130,000 and USD 160,284 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: Nov. 17, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Incident Response Lead roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Incident Response Lead job listings are Incident response, Computer Science and Forensics. 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:

Incident response | 63 jobs Computer Science | 35 jobs Forensics | 33 jobs GCIH | 33 jobs Cloud | 32 jobs Threat intelligence | 31 jobs CISSP | 31 jobs Compliance | 31 jobs Monitoring | 29 jobs SIEM | 27 jobs EDR | 26 jobs Firewalls | 24 jobs SOC | 24 jobs AWS | 23 jobs CEH | 22 jobs Linux | 22 jobs Azure | 21 jobs Windows | 21 jobs Malware | 20 jobs CISM | 20 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Incident Response Lead roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Incident Response Lead job listings are Health care, Career development and Team events. 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:

Health care | 32 jobs Career development | 31 jobs Team events | 28 jobs Insurance | 28 jobs Salary bonus | 20 jobs 401(k) matching | 19 jobs Flex hours | 17 jobs Equity / stock options | 14 jobs Competitive pay | 14 jobs Flex vacation | 11 jobs Wellness | 10 jobs Medical leave | 10 jobs Parental leave | 8 jobs Startup environment | 7 jobs Fitness / gym | 4 jobs Home office stipend | 4 jobs Transparency | 3 jobs Flexible spending account | 3 jobs Gear | 2 jobs Signing bonus | 1 jobs

Salary Composition for an Incident Response Lead

The salary for an Incident Response Lead in the United States typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, usually ranging from 70% to 85%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can account for 5% to 10% of the total package. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job market.

Steps to Increase Salary from This Position

To increase your salary beyond the median of $140,000, consider pursuing advanced leadership roles such as a Director of Incident Response or a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). These roles often require a combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and leadership skills. Additionally, specializing in niche areas of cybersecurity, such as threat intelligence or digital forensics, can make you more valuable. Networking within the industry, attending conferences, and contributing to cybersecurity publications can also enhance your visibility and open up higher-paying opportunities. Finally, consider negotiating your salary during performance reviews by demonstrating your impact on the organization’s security posture and incident response capabilities.

Educational Requirements

Most Incident Response Lead positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree in cybersecurity or business administration, especially for roles with a strategic or managerial focus. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses is also beneficial to stay updated with the latest cybersecurity trends and technologies.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications for an Incident Response Lead role. Some of the most recognized certifications include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

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

Required Experience

Typically, an Incident Response Lead is expected to have 5 to 10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a focus on incident response, threat analysis, and security operations. Experience in managing a team and leading complex incident investigations is crucial. Familiarity with various security tools and technologies, as well as a strong understanding of network protocols and security architecture, is also essential.

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