Salary for Mid-level / Intermediate Incident Response Specialist in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average mid-level / intermediate Incident Response Specialist salary lies between USD 68,750 and USD 128,000 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. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Mid-level / Intermediate Incident Response Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Incident Response Specialist job listings are Incident response, Clearance and Compliance. 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 | 16 jobs Clearance | 8 jobs Compliance | 7 jobs Cloud | 7 jobs CISSP | 6 jobs SIEM | 5 jobs Forensics | 5 jobs Analytics | 5 jobs GCIH | 5 jobs SOC | 5 jobs Scripting | 4 jobs Computer Science | 4 jobs DNS | 3 jobs Audits | 3 jobs Vulnerabilities | 3 jobs Malware | 3 jobs AWS | 3 jobs NIST | 3 jobs SANS | 3 jobs CEH | 3 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Mid-level / Intermediate Incident Response Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Incident Response Specialist 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 | 9 jobs Career development | 8 jobs Team events | 7 jobs Flex hours | 5 jobs Competitive pay | 5 jobs Salary bonus | 4 jobs Equity / stock options | 2 jobs Insurance | 2 jobs Wellness | 1 jobs Travel | 1 jobs Startup environment | 1 jobs Yoga | 1 jobs Home office stipend | 1 jobs

Salary Composition for a Mid-level Incident Response Specialist

The salary for a Mid-level Incident Response Specialist in the United States typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's profitability and individual performance metrics. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies, or benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

Regional differences can affect salary composition, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City offering higher base salaries and bonuses due to the higher cost of living and competitive job market. Industry also plays a role; for instance, financial services and healthcare sectors might offer higher bonuses due to the critical nature of cybersecurity in these fields. Company size can influence the availability of stock options and the scale of bonuses, with larger companies often providing more comprehensive benefits packages.

Steps to Increase Salary from This Position

To increase your salary from a Mid-level Incident Response Specialist position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your technical skills and knowledge of the latest cybersecurity threats and tools. Specializing in niche areas like threat intelligence or malware analysis can make you more valuable.

• Certifications: Obtain advanced certifications that are recognized in the industry, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

• Networking: Engage with professional networks and attend industry conferences to increase your visibility and learn about new opportunities.

• Leadership Roles: Seek opportunities to lead projects or teams, which can demonstrate your capability for higher-level positions.

• Advanced Education: Consider pursuing a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related field to enhance your qualifications.

Educational Requirements

Most mid-level incident response positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. Some employers may accept equivalent work experience in lieu of a formal degree, especially if accompanied by relevant certifications and a proven track record in the field.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity industry and can significantly enhance your employability and salary prospects. Some common and beneficial certifications for an Incident Response Specialist include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

These certifications demonstrate a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and incident response techniques, making you a more attractive candidate to employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a mid-level incident response role requires 3-5 years of experience in cybersecurity or a related field. This experience should include hands-on work with security technologies, incident detection and response, and familiarity with security frameworks and protocols. Experience in a specific industry, such as finance or healthcare, can also be advantageous due to the unique security challenges these sectors face.

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