Salary for Mid-level / Intermediate Security Engineer in United States during 2022

Salary details

The average mid-level / intermediate Security Engineer salary lies between USD 102,100 and USD 150,000 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: Nov. 24, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Mid-level / Intermediate Security Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Security Engineer job listings are Cloud, Compliance and Computer Science. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Cloud | 194 jobs Compliance | 171 jobs Computer Science | 142 jobs Vulnerabilities | 137 jobs Automation | 119 jobs CISSP | 111 jobs Monitoring | 109 jobs AWS | 107 jobs Python | 107 jobs Linux | 101 jobs NIST | 97 jobs Firewalls | 96 jobs Risk management | 86 jobs Incident response | 85 jobs Application security | 82 jobs Azure | 79 jobs Scripting | 78 jobs Windows | 77 jobs SIEM | 74 jobs C | 73 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Mid-level / Intermediate Security Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Security Engineer job listings are Health care, Career development and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Health care | 166 jobs Career development | 145 jobs Flex hours | 114 jobs 401(k) matching | 85 jobs Competitive pay | 82 jobs Startup environment | 70 jobs Team events | 69 jobs Flex vacation | 59 jobs Insurance | 50 jobs Parental leave | 45 jobs Salary bonus | 42 jobs Medical leave | 34 jobs Equity / stock options | 27 jobs Wellness | 17 jobs Gear | 16 jobs Fitness / gym | 14 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 13 jobs Conferences | 11 jobs Home office stipend | 11 jobs Relocation support | 9 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Mid-level/Intermediate Security Engineer in the United States typically comprises a base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The base salary is the fixed component and usually forms the bulk of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s performance, individual performance, and industry standards. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, bonuses and stock options might be more prevalent, whereas in other regions, the base salary might be more competitive. Larger companies often offer more comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and sometimes tuition reimbursement, which can add significant value to the overall compensation.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Mid-level Security Engineer position, consider pursuing advanced certifications, gaining specialized skills, or transitioning into a more senior role such as a Senior Security Engineer or Security Architect. Networking within the industry and attending relevant conferences can also open up opportunities for higher-paying positions. Additionally, gaining experience in high-demand areas such as cloud security, threat intelligence, or incident response can make you more valuable to employers. Exploring opportunities in different industries, such as finance or healthcare, which often have higher security budgets, might also lead to better compensation.

Educational Requirements

Most Mid-level Security Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for roles that require more specialized knowledge or leadership skills. Continuous education and staying updated with the latest security trends and technologies are crucial in this rapidly evolving field.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your qualifications and are often highly regarded by employers. Common and beneficial certifications for a Security Engineer include:

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

These certifications demonstrate a solid understanding of security principles and practices and can be a deciding factor in hiring and salary negotiations.

Required Experience

Typically, a Mid-level Security Engineer is expected to have 3-5 years of experience in information security or a related field. This experience should include hands-on work with security technologies, understanding of security protocols, and experience in identifying and mitigating security threats. Experience in specific areas such as network security, application security, or cloud security can be particularly valuable.

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