Salary for Mid-level / Intermediate Security Specialist during 2023

Salary details

The average mid-level / intermediate Security Specialist salary lies between USD 60,000 and USD 107,000 globally. 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.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Security Specialist job listings are Compliance, Monitoring and Cloud. 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:

Compliance | 42 jobs Monitoring | 27 jobs Cloud | 25 jobs Computer Science | 24 jobs Audits | 22 jobs Risk management | 22 jobs Vulnerabilities | 21 jobs NIST | 21 jobs Incident response | 17 jobs Risk assessment | 17 jobs CISSP | 17 jobs Linux | 17 jobs Firewalls | 16 jobs Privacy | 16 jobs Automation | 15 jobs Scripting | 15 jobs Windows | 14 jobs Clearance | 14 jobs ISO 27001 | 13 jobs Python | 13 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Security Specialist job listings are Career development, Team events 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 | 33 jobs Team events | 30 jobs Health care | 29 jobs Flex hours | 17 jobs Startup environment | 16 jobs Insurance | 16 jobs Competitive pay | 15 jobs Equity / stock options | 11 jobs Flex vacation | 8 jobs Medical leave | 8 jobs 401(k) matching | 7 jobs Parental leave | 7 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Conferences | 5 jobs Wellness | 4 jobs Relocation support | 3 jobs Salary bonus | 3 jobs Home office stipend | 2 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 2 jobs Paid sabbatical | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary composition for a Mid-level/Intermediate Security Specialist can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Generally, the salary is composed of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. In addition to the base salary, many companies offer performance-based bonuses, which can range from 5% to 20% of the base salary, depending on the company's profitability and individual performance. Larger companies or those in high-demand industries like finance or technology may offer more substantial bonuses. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech startups, or other benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development allowances. In regions with a high cost of living, such as major metropolitan areas, the base salary might be higher to compensate for living expenses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Mid-level Security Specialist position, consider pursuing advanced certifications or further education, such as a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related field. Gaining specialized skills in emerging areas like cloud security, threat intelligence, or incident response can make you more valuable to employers. Networking within the industry and attending relevant conferences can also open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Additionally, seeking roles in industries that are known to pay higher salaries, such as finance or healthcare, or considering relocation to regions with higher average salaries for cybersecurity professionals, can be effective strategies.

Educational Requirements

Most Mid-level Security Specialist 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, but having a degree can provide a competitive edge. As the field becomes more competitive, some professionals are pursuing master's degrees to further distinguish themselves and qualify for higher-level positions.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and beneficial certifications for a Mid-level Security Specialist include:

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

These certifications demonstrate a solid understanding of security principles and practices and are often required or preferred by employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Mid-level Security Specialist is expected to have 3 to 5 years of experience in information security or a related field. This experience should include hands-on work with security technologies, incident response, and risk assessment. Experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can be advantageous due to the unique security challenges they present.

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