Salary for Senior-level / Expert Consultant during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Consultant salary lies between USD 114,750 and USD 199,400 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: Jan. 19, 2025

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Consultant roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Consultant job listings are Cloud, Compliance and CISSP. 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:

Cloud | 1708 jobs Compliance | 1184 jobs CISSP | 969 jobs Strategy | 914 jobs Computer Science | 883 jobs Risk management | 776 jobs Governance | 713 jobs NIST | 711 jobs Incident response | 671 jobs Azure | 667 jobs CISM | 656 jobs Audits | 650 jobs AWS | 631 jobs Monitoring | 602 jobs Risk assessment | 599 jobs Privacy | 583 jobs CISA | 570 jobs ISO 27001 | 556 jobs Python | 551 jobs SOC | 509 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Consultant roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Consultant job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Health care. 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:

Career development | 1969 jobs Flex hours | 850 jobs Health care | 838 jobs Team events | 731 jobs Equity / stock options | 664 jobs Competitive pay | 657 jobs Salary bonus | 593 jobs Medical leave | 569 jobs Startup environment | 475 jobs Flex vacation | 368 jobs Insurance | 290 jobs Parental leave | 268 jobs Conferences | 203 jobs Wellness | 187 jobs 401(k) matching | 90 jobs Travel | 79 jobs Transparency | 66 jobs Fitness / gym | 54 jobs Flexible spending account | 50 jobs Gear | 42 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Consultant in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The fixed base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 70% to 85%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, often making up 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives, can account for 5% to 10%.

Regional differences play a significant role in salary composition. For instance, positions in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City may offer higher base salaries and stock options, while roles in smaller markets might focus more on bonuses. Industry also impacts salary composition; financial services and tech companies often provide more lucrative bonus structures compared to government or non-profit sectors. Company size can influence the availability of stock options or profit-sharing, with larger companies more likely to offer these benefits.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 156,000, consider pursuing leadership roles or specialized positions within InfoSec. Transitioning into roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Cyber Security can significantly boost your earning potential. Additionally, developing expertise in emerging areas like cloud security, AI-driven security solutions, or blockchain can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles, attending conferences, and publishing thought leadership articles can also enhance your visibility and open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Negotiating your salary based on market research and leveraging competing offers can further increase your compensation.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level positions in InfoSec/Cyber Security require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity, information assurance, or business administration with a focus on technology can be highly advantageous. Advanced degrees not only provide deeper technical knowledge but also equip you with strategic and managerial skills necessary for senior roles. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses is also important to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in the field.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are crucial in demonstrating expertise and commitment to the field. Common and highly regarded certifications include:

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

These certifications validate your skills and knowledge, making you more competitive in the job market. They also often lead to higher salary offers and can be a prerequisite for certain positions.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level InfoSec consultant is expected to have at least 7 to 10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include a mix of technical roles, such as security analyst or engineer, and strategic roles, such as security architect or manager. Experience in leading projects, managing teams, and developing security strategies is highly valued. Exposure to different industries and familiarity with various security frameworks and compliance standards can also enhance your profile.

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