Salary for Senior-level / Expert Consultant in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Consultant salary lies between USD 128,000 and USD 208,000 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: 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

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level/Expert Consultant in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically includes a combination of 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 comprising 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, may account for 5% to 10% of the total package.

Regional differences can also impact salary composition. For instance, positions in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City might offer higher base salaries and more substantial stock options due to the competitive market. In contrast, roles in smaller markets might offer lower base salaries but potentially higher bonuses to attract talent. Industry and company size also play a role; larger tech companies or financial institutions may offer more comprehensive compensation packages compared to smaller firms or those in less lucrative sectors.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level/Expert Consultant position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of cybersecurity, such as cloud security, AI security, or blockchain technology, which can command higher salaries.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), which typically offer higher compensation.
• Consulting or Entrepreneurship: Consider starting your own consulting firm or offering freelance services, which can provide opportunities for higher earnings.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in cybersecurity to remain competitive and justify salary increases.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert Consultant positions in InfoSec/Cyber Security require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cyber Security. Some roles may prefer or require a master's degree, particularly in specialized areas like Information Assurance or Cyber Security Management. Advanced degrees can provide a competitive edge and may be necessary for roles in academia or research.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Some of the most recognized and beneficial 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 demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, often leading to better job prospects and higher salaries.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Consultant in InfoSec/Cyber Security is expected to have at least 7 to 10 years of relevant experience. This experience should include a strong background in various aspects of cybersecurity, such as threat analysis, risk management, and security architecture. Experience in leading projects, managing teams, and developing security strategies is also highly desirable.

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