Salary for Executive-level / Director Security Engineer in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Security Engineer salary lies between USD 175,000 and USD 250,000 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 Executive-level / Director Security Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with executive-level / director Security Engineer job listings are Cloud, Compliance and Strategy. 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:

Cloud | 73 jobs Compliance | 63 jobs Strategy | 55 jobs AWS | 48 jobs CISSP | 45 jobs GCP | 43 jobs Azure | 40 jobs Security strategy | 37 jobs Incident response | 34 jobs CISM | 34 jobs Vulnerabilities | 33 jobs Automation | 33 jobs Risk management | 33 jobs Agile | 33 jobs CompTIA | 28 jobs DevOps | 27 jobs Privacy | 27 jobs KPIs | 27 jobs E-commerce | 26 jobs Computer Science | 24 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with executive-level / director Security Engineer job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Health care. 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 | 68 jobs Flex hours | 38 jobs Health care | 35 jobs Startup environment | 32 jobs Equity / stock options | 29 jobs Competitive pay | 21 jobs Flex vacation | 17 jobs Insurance | 17 jobs Salary bonus | 17 jobs Parental leave | 16 jobs Wellness | 14 jobs Team events | 13 jobs Medical leave | 11 jobs 401(k) matching | 9 jobs Home office stipend | 9 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 5 jobs Fertility benefits | 4 jobs Conferences | 3 jobs Relocation support | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an Executive-level or Director Security Engineer in the United States typically comprises several components. The fixed base salary is the largest portion, often accounting for 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profitability, usually make up 10-20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration may include stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives, which can vary significantly depending on the company size, industry, and region. For instance, tech companies in Silicon Valley might offer substantial stock options, while financial firms in New York may provide higher cash bonuses. Smaller companies might offer less in terms of bonuses but could compensate with equity or other benefits.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider pursuing advanced leadership roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or other executive positions within the cybersecurity domain. Networking within industry circles and attending relevant conferences can open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, specializing in emerging areas like cloud security, AI-driven security solutions, or cybersecurity for IoT can make you more valuable. Pursuing further education, such as an MBA or a specialized master's degree in cybersecurity, can also enhance your qualifications for higher-paying roles.

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. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of both technical and managerial aspects of cybersecurity, which is crucial for leadership roles.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly bolster your qualifications for a director-level position. Common and highly regarded certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). For those looking to specialize further, certifications like Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) can be beneficial. These certifications demonstrate a commitment to the field and a high level of expertise.

Required Experience

Typically, a director-level position in cybersecurity requires at least 10-15 years of experience in the field. This experience should include a mix of technical roles and managerial positions, demonstrating a progression of responsibility. Experience in developing and implementing security policies, managing security teams, and handling security incidents is crucial. Additionally, experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can be advantageous due to the unique regulatory and security challenges they present.

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