Salary for Executive-level / Director Head of Security in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Head of Security salary lies between USD 181,800 and USD 260,000 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: Jan. 26, 2025

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Executive-level / Director Head of Security roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with executive-level / director Head of Security job listings are Compliance, Strategy and Risk assessment. 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 | 74 jobs Strategy | 60 jobs Risk assessment | 43 jobs Risk management | 42 jobs CISSP | 33 jobs Security strategy | 31 jobs SOC | 31 jobs Vulnerabilities | 30 jobs Monitoring | 30 jobs Cloud | 28 jobs CISM | 27 jobs Privacy | 27 jobs Incident response | 25 jobs Audits | 24 jobs Governance | 23 jobs ISO 27001 | 18 jobs Finance | 17 jobs CISA | 17 jobs Pentesting | 17 jobs Agile | 17 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Executive-level / Director Head of Security roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with executive-level / director Head of Security job listings are Career development, Health care 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:

Career development | 59 jobs Health care | 48 jobs Team events | 34 jobs Competitive pay | 32 jobs Flex hours | 28 jobs Insurance | 28 jobs Startup environment | 24 jobs Equity / stock options | 22 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 21 jobs 401(k) matching | 19 jobs Medical leave | 16 jobs Salary bonus | 15 jobs Parental leave | 13 jobs Fertility benefits | 13 jobs Flex vacation | 12 jobs Wellness | 10 jobs Travel | 7 jobs Home office stipend | 7 jobs Fitness / gym | 6 jobs Gear | 5 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for an Executive-level or Director Head of Security role typically includes a mix of base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary often constitutes the largest portion, ranging from 60% to 80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company-wide goals, usually account for 10% to 20%. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, long-term incentives, or profit-sharing, can make up the remaining 10% to 20%. The exact composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech companies in Silicon Valley might offer more in stock options, while financial institutions in New York might provide higher cash bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider pursuing the following strategies:

• Advanced Education: Obtaining an MBA or a specialized master's degree in cybersecurity can enhance your qualifications and open doors to higher-paying opportunities.
• Specialization: Developing expertise in niche areas such as cloud security, AI security, or blockchain can make you more valuable.
• Networking: Building a strong professional network can lead to opportunities in higher-paying companies or industries.
• Leadership Roles: Taking on additional responsibilities or moving into a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role can significantly increase your earning potential.
• Consulting: Offering your expertise as a consultant can provide additional income streams and increase your market value.

Educational Requirements

Most executive-level positions in cybersecurity require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity, information systems, or business administration is often preferred. Some roles may also require a combination of technical and business education to effectively manage both the technical and strategic aspects of the position.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can play a crucial role in advancing your career in cybersecurity. Some of the most recognized and beneficial certifications for an executive-level position include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
• Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

These certifications demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, which can be attractive to employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a minimum of 10 to 15 years of experience in information security or a related field is required for an executive-level position. This experience should include a mix of technical roles and leadership positions, demonstrating your ability to manage teams and develop strategic security initiatives. Experience in risk management, compliance, and incident response is also highly valued.

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