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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Cyber Security Project Engineer salary lies between USD 132,758 and USD 199,236 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: Dec. 15, 2024

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Cyber Security Project Engineer job listings are Polygraph, Clearance and TS/SCI. 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:

Polygraph | 11 jobs Clearance | 10 jobs TS/SCI | 9 jobs Risk management | 9 jobs Linux | 7 jobs Cloud | 7 jobs CISSP | 6 jobs Windows | 6 jobs Clearance Required | 6 jobs Azure | 5 jobs Compliance | 5 jobs ISSE | 5 jobs Top Secret | 4 jobs Security Clearance | 4 jobs Monitoring | 4 jobs RMF | 4 jobs Network security | 3 jobs Risk assessment | 3 jobs AWS | 3 jobs CISA | 3 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Cyber Security Project Engineer job listings are Health care, Career development and 401(k) matching. 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:

Health care | 6 jobs Career development | 6 jobs 401(k) matching | 5 jobs Flex vacation | 4 jobs Parental leave | 3 jobs Competitive pay | 3 jobs Medical leave | 3 jobs Insurance | 3 jobs Flex hours | 2 jobs Wellness | 2 jobs Team events | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 1 jobs Startup environment | 1 jobs Salary bonus | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Cyber Security Project Engineer in the United States typically comprises a base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance, individual performance, and industry standards. In tech-heavy regions like Silicon Valley, bonuses and stock options might form a larger portion of the total compensation. In contrast, in regions with a lower cost of living, the base salary might be more prominent. Larger companies or those in highly competitive industries may offer more substantial bonuses and stock options compared to smaller firms.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 172,781, consider pursuing leadership roles such as a Cyber Security Director or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). These positions typically offer higher compensation. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like cloud security, AI-driven security solutions, or threat intelligence can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles, attending conferences, and publishing thought leadership articles can also enhance your visibility and open up higher-paying opportunities. Negotiating your salary based on market research and leveraging competing offers can further increase your earnings.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level cyber security roles require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cyber security, information assurance, or business administration can be advantageous and sometimes preferred. Advanced degrees demonstrate a deeper understanding of the field and can set you apart from other candidates.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are crucial in the cyber security field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. 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 expertise and commitment to staying current with industry standards and practices.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level cyber security project engineer position requires at least 7-10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include hands-on technical roles, project management, and leadership responsibilities. Experience in various industries, such as finance, healthcare, or government, can be beneficial, as it demonstrates versatility and the ability to adapt to different regulatory environments.

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