Salary for Senior-level / Expert Incident Response Engineer during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Incident Response Engineer salary lies between USD 120,000 and USD 200,000 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

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Incident Response Engineer job listings are Incident response, Cloud and Python. 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:

Incident response | 46 jobs Cloud | 34 jobs Python | 29 jobs Forensics | 28 jobs Scripting | 21 jobs Threat intelligence | 18 jobs Automation | 18 jobs Linux | 18 jobs Privacy | 18 jobs Monitoring | 18 jobs Malware | 17 jobs Windows | 17 jobs SOC | 15 jobs Computer Science | 14 jobs AWS | 13 jobs GCP | 13 jobs Vulnerabilities | 12 jobs Azure | 11 jobs Network security | 10 jobs Threat detection | 10 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Incident Response Engineer job listings are Flex vacation, Health care 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:

Flex vacation | 21 jobs Health care | 21 jobs Career development | 21 jobs Parental leave | 19 jobs Team events | 17 jobs Medical leave | 16 jobs Insurance | 15 jobs Equity / stock options | 14 jobs Flex hours | 11 jobs Salary bonus | 11 jobs Startup environment | 8 jobs Wellness | 6 jobs 401(k) matching | 5 jobs Competitive pay | 5 jobs Gear | 4 jobs Conferences | 4 jobs Transparency | 2 jobs Signing bonus | 2 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 2 jobs Flexible spending account | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Incident Response Engineer typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The fixed base salary is the largest component, often 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 median for this role, consider pursuing leadership positions such as Incident Response Manager or Director of Cybersecurity. These roles not only offer higher salaries but also provide opportunities to influence strategic decisions within an organization. Another approach is to specialize in niche areas of cybersecurity, such as threat intelligence or digital forensics, which are in high demand and can command premium salaries. Additionally, obtaining advanced certifications or pursuing further education, such as a master's degree in cybersecurity, can enhance your qualifications and make you more competitive for higher-paying roles.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert Incident Response Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for roles that involve strategic decision-making or leadership responsibilities. A strong educational background provides a solid foundation in the technical and theoretical aspects of cybersecurity, which is essential for effectively managing and responding to security incidents.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Some of the most recognized certifications for an Incident Response Engineer include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

These certifications demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Incident Response Engineer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a focus on incident response. This experience should include hands-on work with security technologies, threat analysis, and incident management. Experience in leading incident response teams or projects is also highly desirable, as it demonstrates your ability to manage complex security incidents and coordinate efforts across different teams.

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