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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Cyber Systems Engineer salary lies between USD 122,200 and USD 234,000 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

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

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

Clearance | 51 jobs Compliance | 45 jobs TS/SCI | 40 jobs DoD | 37 jobs Computer Science | 32 jobs Security Clearance | 29 jobs Cloud | 28 jobs Polygraph | 26 jobs Monitoring | 26 jobs DoDD 8570 | 22 jobs Cyber defense | 21 jobs AWS | 20 jobs PhD | 19 jobs Splunk | 17 jobs CISSP | 17 jobs Risk management | 16 jobs RMF | 16 jobs STEM | 15 jobs Risk assessment | 14 jobs NIST | 14 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Cyber Systems Engineer job listings are Salary bonus, Team events and Career development. 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:

Salary bonus | 30 jobs Team events | 17 jobs Career development | 16 jobs Health care | 9 jobs Startup environment | 6 jobs Equity / stock options | 5 jobs Competitive pay | 4 jobs Medical leave | 4 jobs Conferences | 3 jobs Insurance | 3 jobs 401(k) matching | 1 jobs Parental leave | 1 jobs Flex hours | 1 jobs Flex vacation | 1 jobs Wellness | 1 jobs Travel | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Cyber Systems 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 forms the largest part 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 be more substantial compared to other areas. In larger companies, especially in the tech and finance sectors, additional remuneration might include stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives. Smaller companies or startups might offer equity as part of the compensation package to attract top talent.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Cybersecurity. These roles often come with higher compensation packages. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like cloud security, AI security, or blockchain technology can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles, attending conferences, and publishing thought leadership articles can also enhance your visibility and reputation, potentially leading to higher-paying opportunities. Continuous learning and obtaining advanced certifications can further bolster your credentials.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level positions in cybersecurity require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity, information systems, 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. Some roles may also value interdisciplinary studies that combine technical skills with business acumen.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are crucial in the cybersecurity 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 demonstrate a commitment to the field and a recognized level of expertise, which can be particularly appealing to employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level cyber systems engineer is expected to have at least 7-10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include hands-on technical work, as well as strategic planning and leadership roles. Experience in managing teams, projects, and budgets is often required, as is a proven track record of successfully implementing security measures and responding to incidents. Experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can also be beneficial due to the unique regulatory and security challenges they present.

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