Salary for Entry-level / Junior Security Specialist in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior Security Specialist salary lies between USD 55,000 and USD 72,000 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 Entry-level / Junior Security Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with entry-level / junior Security Specialist job listings are Compliance, Vulnerabilities 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 | 23 jobs Vulnerabilities | 17 jobs Cloud | 16 jobs Computer Science | 16 jobs Audits | 13 jobs Monitoring | 12 jobs Incident response | 11 jobs SIEM | 9 jobs Security assessment | 9 jobs Risk management | 9 jobs Surveillance | 9 jobs SOC | 9 jobs Network security | 8 jobs Firewalls | 7 jobs Azure | 7 jobs NIST | 7 jobs C | 7 jobs Linux | 7 jobs Clearance | 7 jobs IDS | 6 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Entry-level / Junior Security Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with entry-level / junior Security Specialist job listings are Career development, Team events and Startup environment. 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 | 28 jobs Team events | 21 jobs Startup environment | 13 jobs Flex hours | 11 jobs Health care | 11 jobs Competitive pay | 7 jobs Equity / stock options | 6 jobs Insurance | 6 jobs 401(k) matching | 4 jobs Flex vacation | 3 jobs Gear | 3 jobs Yoga | 3 jobs Salary bonus | 3 jobs Parental leave | 2 jobs Wellness | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Medical leave | 2 jobs Home office stipend | 2 jobs Conferences | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an entry-level or junior security specialist in the United States typically consists of a base salary, which is the fixed amount, and may include additional components such as bonuses and other forms of remuneration. The base salary is often the largest portion and is influenced by factors such as geographic location, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like San Francisco or New York may offer higher base salaries due to the higher cost of living and competitive job markets. Bonuses can vary significantly and are often tied to company performance, individual performance, or both. In larger companies, especially in the tech or finance sectors, bonuses might be more substantial. Additional remuneration could include stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives, which are more common in larger or publicly traded companies.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from an entry-level position, consider the following steps:

• Skill Development: Continuously improve your technical skills, especially in areas like network security, ethical hacking, and incident response.
• Certifications: Obtain advanced certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) to enhance your qualifications.
• Experience: Gain hands-on experience through projects, internships, or by taking on more responsibilities at your current job.
• Networking: Build a professional network by attending industry conferences, joining cybersecurity groups, and connecting with peers and mentors.
• Advanced Education: Consider pursuing a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related field to open up higher-level opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level 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 an associate degree or relevant experience, but a bachelor's degree is often preferred. Coursework in network security, cryptography, and information systems is particularly beneficial.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your employability and career prospects in cybersecurity. Some of the most common and helpful certifications for entry-level positions include:

• CompTIA Security+: A foundational certification that covers essential security concepts and practices.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Although more advanced, it is highly regarded in the industry.
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Focuses on penetration testing and ethical hacking techniques.
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate: Provides knowledge on security operations and monitoring.

Required Experience

For entry-level positions, employers typically look for candidates with some practical experience, which can be gained through internships, co-op programs, or relevant projects. Experience with security tools, basic understanding of network protocols, and familiarity with operating systems like Linux and Windows are often expected. While direct work experience may not be extensive, demonstrating a strong foundational knowledge and eagerness to learn can be crucial.

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