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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Cyber Engineer salary lies between USD 100,612 and USD 179,000 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. 17, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Cyber Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Cyber Engineer job listings are Clearance, Monitoring and DoDD 8570. 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:

Clearance | 72 jobs Monitoring | 59 jobs DoDD 8570 | 57 jobs Linux | 57 jobs Risk management | 57 jobs DoD | 57 jobs Firewalls | 55 jobs Compliance | 52 jobs TS/SCI | 50 jobs CISSP | 49 jobs Windows | 48 jobs Cloud | 47 jobs Security Clearance | 45 jobs Computer Science | 45 jobs SIEM | 41 jobs Vulnerabilities | 38 jobs AWS | 38 jobs IDS | 35 jobs NIST | 35 jobs IPS | 34 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Cyber Engineer job listings are Career development, 401(k) matching and Flex vacation. 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 | 104 jobs 401(k) matching | 88 jobs Flex vacation | 85 jobs Flex hours | 84 jobs Health care | 82 jobs Team events | 66 jobs Medical leave | 64 jobs Insurance | 62 jobs Parental leave | 61 jobs Flexible spending account | 32 jobs Relocation support | 30 jobs Competitive pay | 28 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 25 jobs Startup environment | 13 jobs Salary bonus | 12 jobs Wellness | 10 jobs Equity / stock options | 7 jobs Fertility benefits | 7 jobs Conferences | 4 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Cyber Engineer typically includes 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 profitability and individual performance metrics. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies or startups, and can be a significant part of the compensation in larger firms or those in high-growth sectors.

The composition can vary by region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City might offer higher base salaries and stock options due to the high cost of living and competitive job market. In contrast, companies in regions with a lower cost of living might offer a smaller base salary but compensate with other benefits. Industries such as finance or healthcare may offer higher bonuses due to the critical nature of cybersecurity in protecting sensitive data.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level Cyber Engineer position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of cybersecurity, such as cloud security, AI security, or blockchain technology, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into managerial or leadership roles, such as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), which typically offer higher compensation.
• Consulting: Consider moving into cybersecurity consulting, where you can leverage your expertise across multiple projects and potentially earn more.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest cybersecurity trends and technologies through courses, workshops, and conferences, which can make you more valuable to employers.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Cyber Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related discipline. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of complex security issues and demonstrate a commitment to the field, which can be advantageous in competitive job markets.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Some of the most recognized certifications include:

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

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

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Cyber Engineer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in the cybersecurity field. This experience should include hands-on technical work, such as network security, incident response, and vulnerability assessment. Experience in leading projects or teams, as well as a proven track record of successfully implementing security measures, is also highly valued.

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