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

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Security Engineer salary lies between USD 158,000 and USD 245,238 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. 10, 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, Strategy and AWS. 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:

Cloud | 115 jobs Strategy | 62 jobs AWS | 58 jobs Compliance | 54 jobs Python | 51 jobs Monitoring | 46 jobs CISSP | 44 jobs Computer Science | 44 jobs Vulnerabilities | 43 jobs GCP | 43 jobs Automation | 41 jobs Azure | 39 jobs Risk management | 38 jobs Application security | 38 jobs Agile | 37 jobs Incident response | 33 jobs Privacy | 33 jobs NIST | 30 jobs Terraform | 30 jobs SIEM | 29 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, Health care and Flex hours. 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 | 87 jobs Health care | 60 jobs Flex hours | 53 jobs Parental leave | 46 jobs Salary bonus | 46 jobs Equity / stock options | 45 jobs Competitive pay | 44 jobs Flex vacation | 38 jobs Team events | 36 jobs Insurance | 33 jobs Wellness | 30 jobs Medical leave | 30 jobs Startup environment | 26 jobs Home office stipend | 17 jobs 401(k) matching | 10 jobs Transparency | 10 jobs Flexible spending account | 7 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Fertility benefits | 5 jobs Travel | 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 institutions in New York may provide higher cash bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from this position, consider pursuing further specialization or leadership roles. Transitioning to a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role or similar executive positions can significantly boost your earnings. Additionally, expanding your expertise in emerging areas like cloud security, AI-driven security solutions, or regulatory compliance can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles and participating in high-profile projects can also enhance your visibility and open up higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most executive-level positions in InfoSec/Cyber Security require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree, such as an MBA with a focus on information security or a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, is often preferred. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of both technical and business aspects, which is crucial for leadership roles.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can play a significant role in advancing your career in cybersecurity. Common and highly regarded certifications include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

These certifications demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate for executive roles.

Required Experience

Typically, a Director Security Engineer position requires at least 10-15 years of experience in the field of information security. This experience should include a mix of technical roles, such as security analyst or engineer, and managerial positions, like security manager or team lead. Experience in developing and implementing security strategies, managing security teams, and handling complex security incidents is crucial.

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