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 117,300 and USD 186,100 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. 26, 2025

Salary trend

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 | 1026 jobs Cloud | 965 jobs CISSP | 815 jobs Computer Science | 755 jobs NIST | 647 jobs Monitoring | 614 jobs Incident response | 592 jobs Vulnerabilities | 560 jobs Risk management | 544 jobs SIEM | 496 jobs Clearance | 488 jobs Strategy | 484 jobs Firewalls | 453 jobs Azure | 444 jobs AWS | 439 jobs CISM | 421 jobs Risk assessment | 414 jobs Linux | 409 jobs Network security | 391 jobs Governance | 386 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 | 1129 jobs Health care | 693 jobs Flex hours | 548 jobs Team events | 467 jobs Competitive pay | 434 jobs Insurance | 314 jobs Startup environment | 309 jobs Equity / stock options | 278 jobs Flex vacation | 266 jobs Salary bonus | 227 jobs Medical leave | 221 jobs Parental leave | 197 jobs 401(k) matching | 187 jobs Wellness | 171 jobs Relocation support | 63 jobs Transparency | 47 jobs Fitness / gym | 44 jobs Flexible spending account | 41 jobs Conferences | 38 jobs Home office stipend | 27 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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