Salary for Senior-level / Expert Cloud Security Architect in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Cloud Security Architect salary lies between USD 170,000 and USD 200,000 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. 10, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Cloud Security Architect roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Cloud Security Architect job listings are Cloud, AWS and Azure. 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:

Cloud | 71 jobs AWS | 52 jobs Azure | 50 jobs GCP | 39 jobs Strategy | 33 jobs NIST | 32 jobs CISSP | 31 jobs Computer Science | 31 jobs Compliance | 30 jobs IAM | 30 jobs Automation | 26 jobs Kubernetes | 24 jobs Firewalls | 23 jobs Network security | 22 jobs ISO 27001 | 21 jobs Application security | 20 jobs Monitoring | 20 jobs Incident response | 19 jobs Security assessment | 19 jobs Terraform | 19 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Cloud Security Architect roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Cloud Security Architect 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 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 52 jobs Health care | 40 jobs Flex hours | 33 jobs Flex vacation | 23 jobs Competitive pay | 23 jobs Salary bonus | 22 jobs Team events | 19 jobs Parental leave | 17 jobs 401(k) matching | 15 jobs Insurance | 13 jobs Medical leave | 11 jobs Startup environment | 8 jobs Equity / stock options | 7 jobs Wellness | 5 jobs Transparency | 5 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 5 jobs Home office stipend | 4 jobs Signing bonus | 3 jobs Gear | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Cloud Security Architect in the United States typically comprises a base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The base salary is often the largest component, accounting for approximately 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company success, might contribute around 10-20%. Additional remuneration, including stock options, profit-sharing, or other benefits, can make up the remaining 5-10%. The exact composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech companies in Silicon Valley might offer higher stock options, while financial firms in New York might provide more substantial bonuses.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the current median, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Security. These positions often come with higher compensation packages. Additionally, specializing in emerging areas like AI security, blockchain security, or quantum computing security can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles, attending conferences, and publishing thought leadership articles can also enhance your visibility and open up higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Cloud Security Architect positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity, information security, or business administration can be advantageous and sometimes preferred. Advanced degrees demonstrate a deeper understanding of the field and can set you apart from other candidates.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are crucial in the cybersecurity field, and several are particularly beneficial for a Cloud Security Architect role. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is highly regarded and often considered a baseline for senior positions. The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is specifically tailored for cloud security and is increasingly sought after. Other valuable certifications include AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Cloud Security Architect is expected to have at least 8-10 years of experience in IT security, with a significant portion of that time focused on cloud environments. Experience should include designing and implementing security solutions, managing security operations, and leading security teams. Familiarity with multiple cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and a track record of successful security projects are often required.

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