Salary for Mid-level / Intermediate System Engineer in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average mid-level / intermediate System Engineer salary lies between USD 97,750 and USD 151,300 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

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with mid-level / intermediate System Engineer job listings are Automation, Monitoring and Scripting. 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:

Automation | 9 jobs Monitoring | 9 jobs Scripting | 9 jobs Linux | 8 jobs Clearance | 8 jobs TS/SCI | 8 jobs Cloud | 8 jobs Computer Science | 8 jobs Windows | 7 jobs Agile | 7 jobs CISSP | 6 jobs Python | 6 jobs Compliance | 6 jobs DoD | 6 jobs Ansible | 6 jobs Incident response | 5 jobs AWS | 5 jobs PowerShell | 5 jobs Audits | 4 jobs Vulnerabilities | 4 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with mid-level / intermediate System Engineer job listings are Health care, Career development and Equity / stock options. 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 | 11 jobs Career development | 10 jobs Equity / stock options | 7 jobs Medical leave | 7 jobs Parental leave | 6 jobs Flex hours | 5 jobs Competitive pay | 5 jobs Insurance | 5 jobs Salary bonus | 5 jobs Flex vacation | 3 jobs Wellness | 3 jobs Team events | 3 jobs 401(k) matching | 2 jobs Gear | 2 jobs Flexible spending account | 2 jobs Cell phone stipend | 2 jobs Startup environment | 1 jobs Relocation support | 1 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary for a mid-level/intermediate system engineer in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. 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 financial health and individual performance metrics. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech-heavy regions like Silicon Valley, or profit-sharing plans, which are more common in larger corporations. The composition can also vary by region, with higher base salaries often found in metropolitan areas with a high cost of living, such as New York City or San Francisco. Industry also plays a role; for instance, financial services and tech companies might offer more lucrative bonuses compared to government or non-profit sectors.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from this position, consider pursuing advanced certifications or specialized training in emerging areas of cybersecurity, such as cloud security or artificial intelligence security. Networking within the industry and attending relevant conferences can also open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Additionally, gaining experience in leadership or project management can position you for roles with greater responsibility and higher pay. Seeking roles in high-demand sectors or regions can also lead to salary increases. Finally, consider negotiating your salary during performance reviews or when taking on new responsibilities.

Educational Requirements

Most mid-level system engineer roles in InfoSec/Cyber Security require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some positions may prefer or require a master's degree, especially for roles with a focus on research or specialized technical skills. Continuous education is also important, as the field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving. Staying updated with the latest technologies and threats is crucial for career advancement.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and beneficial certifications include:

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

These certifications demonstrate a commitment to the field and a recognized level of expertise, which can be advantageous during job applications and salary negotiations.

Required Experience

Typically, a mid-level system engineer in InfoSec/Cyber Security is expected to have 3-5 years of relevant experience. This experience should include hands-on work with security systems, network security, and possibly some exposure to security policy development. Experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can also be beneficial due to the unique security challenges they present. Practical experience with security tools and technologies, as well as a proven track record of managing security incidents, is often required.

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