Salary for Senior-level / Expert Detection Engineer during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Detection Engineer salary lies between USD 160,000 and USD 230,000 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. 15, 2024

Salary trend

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Detection Engineer job listings are Incident response, Cloud and Threat detection. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Incident response | 29 jobs Cloud | 25 jobs Threat detection | 23 jobs SIEM | 22 jobs Splunk | 22 jobs Automation | 22 jobs Malware | 19 jobs AWS | 16 jobs Windows | 16 jobs MITRE ATT&CK | 16 jobs Monitoring | 16 jobs Threat intelligence | 15 jobs Azure | 15 jobs SaaS | 15 jobs Linux | 15 jobs EDR | 14 jobs Python | 13 jobs GCP | 13 jobs IDS | 12 jobs TTPs | 12 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Detection Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Equity / stock options. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 23 jobs Health care | 21 jobs Equity / stock options | 19 jobs Flex hours | 18 jobs Team events | 18 jobs Parental leave | 13 jobs Medical leave | 13 jobs Salary bonus | 13 jobs Flex vacation | 12 jobs 401(k) matching | 9 jobs Startup environment | 9 jobs Competitive pay | 9 jobs Insurance | 9 jobs Wellness | 8 jobs Transparency | 6 jobs Conferences | 5 jobs Relocation support | 5 jobs Home office stipend | 4 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 4 jobs Gear | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Detection Engineer in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary is often the largest component, accounting for 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual achievements, usually ranging from 10-20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can add another 5-10% to the total compensation. 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. Industry-specific factors can also influence salary composition, with financial services and healthcare often offering higher bonuses due to the critical nature of cybersecurity in these sectors.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the current median, consider pursuing leadership roles such as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Security Operations. These positions not only offer higher salaries but also provide strategic influence within an organization. Another approach is to specialize in emerging areas of cybersecurity, such as cloud security, AI-driven threat detection, or blockchain security, which are in high demand and can command premium salaries. Additionally, expanding your professional network and gaining visibility in the industry through speaking engagements, publications, or participation in cybersecurity forums can open doors to higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level detection engineer roles require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity or a similar discipline can be advantageous and is often preferred by employers for expert-level positions. Advanced degrees not only provide deeper technical knowledge but also demonstrate a commitment to the field, which can be a differentiator in competitive job markets.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and beneficial certifications for a detection engineer include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• 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 detection engineer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a focus on threat detection and response. Experience in managing security operations centers (SOCs), developing detection strategies, and working with advanced security tools and technologies is crucial. Additionally, experience in leading teams or projects can be beneficial, as it demonstrates leadership capabilities and the ability to manage complex security challenges.

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