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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Cyber Security salary lies between USD 105,000 and USD 183,300 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: Nov. 24, 2024

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Cyber Security job listings are Compliance, Cloud 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:

Compliance | 909 jobs Cloud | 868 jobs CISSP | 726 jobs Computer Science | 678 jobs NIST | 563 jobs Monitoring | 548 jobs Incident response | 532 jobs Vulnerabilities | 506 jobs Risk management | 469 jobs SIEM | 443 jobs Clearance | 434 jobs Strategy | 428 jobs Firewalls | 412 jobs Azure | 403 jobs AWS | 401 jobs Linux | 372 jobs CISM | 368 jobs Network security | 349 jobs Risk assessment | 348 jobs Governance | 343 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Cyber Security 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 1002 jobs Health care | 621 jobs Flex hours | 490 jobs Team events | 419 jobs Competitive pay | 388 jobs Startup environment | 279 jobs Insurance | 275 jobs Flex vacation | 243 jobs Equity / stock options | 233 jobs Salary bonus | 202 jobs Medical leave | 195 jobs Parental leave | 173 jobs 401(k) matching | 166 jobs Wellness | 160 jobs Relocation support | 58 jobs Transparency | 45 jobs Fitness / gym | 41 jobs Flexible spending account | 36 jobs Conferences | 34 jobs Home office stipend | 25 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Cyber Security role typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The 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 ranging from 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can make up 5% to 10% of the total package. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job market.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 146,000, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Cyber Security. These positions typically offer higher compensation packages. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like cloud security, artificial intelligence security, or blockchain technology can make you more valuable. Networking within industry groups and attending conferences can also open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Finally, consider negotiating your salary by leveraging offers from other companies or demonstrating your impact on the organization’s security posture.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level cyber security positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cyber security or an MBA with a focus on information security can be advantageous and sometimes preferred by employers. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses is also important to keep up with the rapidly evolving field.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are crucial in the cyber security field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Some of the most recognized certifications include:

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

These certifications demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level cyber security role requires at least 7 to 10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include a mix of technical skills, such as network security, incident response, and vulnerability assessment, as well as leadership skills, such as managing teams and projects. Experience in specific industries, like finance or healthcare, can also be beneficial due to the unique security challenges they present.

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