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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert DevSecOps Engineer salary lies between USD 110,000 and USD 177,100 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 DevSecOps Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert DevSecOps Engineer job listings are DevSecOps, Cloud and CI/CD. 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:

DevSecOps | 554 jobs Cloud | 504 jobs CI/CD | 412 jobs AWS | 394 jobs Automation | 387 jobs DevOps | 386 jobs Kubernetes | 357 jobs Terraform | 315 jobs Python | 309 jobs Azure | 296 jobs Scripting | 282 jobs Compliance | 255 jobs Docker | 250 jobs Ansible | 249 jobs Jenkins | 241 jobs Clearance | 240 jobs Monitoring | 228 jobs Agile | 226 jobs GitLab | 219 jobs GCP | 198 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert DevSecOps Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Competitive pay. 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 | 292 jobs Health care | 228 jobs Competitive pay | 152 jobs Flex hours | 147 jobs Startup environment | 140 jobs Team events | 135 jobs Insurance | 124 jobs 401(k) matching | 101 jobs Flex vacation | 96 jobs Equity / stock options | 83 jobs Medical leave | 79 jobs Parental leave | 55 jobs Salary bonus | 55 jobs Wellness | 36 jobs Transparency | 33 jobs Relocation support | 32 jobs Gear | 23 jobs Fitness / gym | 23 jobs Travel | 22 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 13 jobs

Salary Composition for a Senior-level DevSecOps Engineer

The salary for a Senior-level DevSecOps Engineer in the United States typically comprises a 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, usually ranging from 70% to 85%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s policy and individual performance, often making up 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives, can account for 5% to 10% of the total package.

Regional differences can affect these percentages, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City offering higher base salaries and more lucrative stock options. Industry also plays a role; for instance, financial services or healthcare companies might offer higher bonuses compared to startups or smaller tech firms. Company size can influence the availability and size of stock options or profit-sharing, with larger companies typically offering more structured and substantial packages.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Senior-level Position

To increase your salary beyond the Senior-level DevSecOps Engineer position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas such as cloud security, container security, or AI-driven security solutions. This can make you indispensable and justify a higher salary.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into managerial or leadership roles such as DevSecOps Manager or Director of Security Engineering. These positions often come with higher pay scales.
• Consulting: Consider moving into a consulting role where you can leverage your expertise across multiple projects and clients, often commanding higher fees.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in cybersecurity and DevSecOps. This can include attending conferences, webinars, and advanced courses.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level DevSecOps Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially in cybersecurity or business administration with a focus on technology. A strong educational background provides a solid foundation in both the technical and strategic aspects of DevSecOps.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some of the most beneficial certifications for a DevSecOps Engineer include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
• Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• CompTIA Security+

These certifications validate your skills and knowledge in key areas of cybersecurity and DevSecOps, making you a more attractive candidate for higher-level positions.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level DevSecOps Engineer is expected to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience in IT, with a significant portion of that time spent in roles related to security, development, and operations. Experience in implementing security practices in CI/CD pipelines, managing cloud environments, and working with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes is often required. Demonstrated experience in leading projects or teams can also be crucial for senior roles.

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