Salary for Senior-level / Expert Cyber Security Specialist during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Cyber Security Specialist salary lies between USD 91,666 and USD 166,000 globally. 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.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2024

Salary trend

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

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

CISSP | 42 jobs Compliance | 39 jobs Cloud | 39 jobs SIEM | 32 jobs Incident response | 31 jobs Monitoring | 31 jobs Computer Science | 30 jobs Firewalls | 26 jobs Azure | 25 jobs Vulnerabilities | 24 jobs Automation | 24 jobs NIST | 24 jobs Threat intelligence | 23 jobs AWS | 22 jobs Clearance | 22 jobs Risk management | 21 jobs EDR | 21 jobs SOC | 21 jobs Forensics | 19 jobs CISM | 19 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Cyber Security Specialist job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Startup environment. 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 | 36 jobs Flex hours | 33 jobs Startup environment | 26 jobs Team events | 24 jobs Health care | 21 jobs Competitive pay | 15 jobs Equity / stock options | 11 jobs Flex vacation | 10 jobs Insurance | 10 jobs Wellness | 8 jobs Salary bonus | 7 jobs 401(k) matching | 3 jobs Relocation support | 3 jobs Flexible spending account | 3 jobs Parental leave | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Transparency | 2 jobs Signing bonus | 1 jobs Medical leave | 1 jobs Home office stipend | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Cyber Security Specialist typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. In North America, particularly in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the base salary might be higher, but bonuses and stock options can also form a substantial part of the total compensation package. In contrast, in regions with a lower cost of living, the base salary might be lower, but companies may offer other benefits like flexible working conditions or additional vacation days. In industries such as finance or healthcare, where cybersecurity is critical, bonuses might be more performance-driven. Larger companies often have more structured bonus schemes and additional perks compared to smaller firms.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level Cyber Security Specialist position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Cyber Security Manager or Director of Information Security. These roles often come with higher compensation packages. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like cloud security, threat intelligence, or ethical hacking can make you more valuable. Networking within the industry, attending conferences, and contributing to open-source projects can also enhance your reputation and open up higher-paying opportunities. Negotiating your salary based on market research and your proven track record can also be effective.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level cybersecurity positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity and can significantly enhance your credentials. Common and highly regarded 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 your expertise and commitment to the field, often making you more attractive to employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level cybersecurity role requires at least 5-10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include hands-on technical work, such as penetration testing, network security, and incident response, as well as strategic roles like risk assessment and policy development. Experience in leading teams or projects is also highly valued, as it demonstrates your ability to manage and mentor others.

Related salaries

Want to contribute?