Salary for Senior-level / Expert Red Team Operator during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Red Team Operator salary lies between USD 110,000 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. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Red Team Operator roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Red Team Operator job listings are Red team, Vulnerabilities and OSCP. 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:

Red team | 48 jobs Vulnerabilities | 30 jobs OSCP | 30 jobs Pentesting | 30 jobs Offensive security | 29 jobs Cloud | 27 jobs OSCE | 25 jobs Scripting | 25 jobs Python | 24 jobs Cobalt Strike | 21 jobs Linux | 21 jobs GPEN | 20 jobs GXPN | 18 jobs Strategy | 17 jobs Windows | 17 jobs C | 16 jobs OSWE | 16 jobs Malware | 15 jobs Automation | 15 jobs Exploit | 15 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Red Team Operator roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Red Team Operator job listings are Health care, Career development 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:

Health care | 28 jobs Career development | 28 jobs Competitive pay | 15 jobs Team events | 13 jobs Medical leave | 13 jobs Insurance | 13 jobs Equity / stock options | 12 jobs Parental leave | 11 jobs Flex hours | 11 jobs Flex vacation | 11 jobs 401(k) matching | 9 jobs Startup environment | 8 jobs Salary bonus | 7 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Transparency | 5 jobs Flexible spending account | 5 jobs Fertility benefits | 2 jobs Wellness | 1 jobs Conferences | 1 jobs Home office stipend | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Red Team Operator typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The fixed base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 70% to 85%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's success and individual performance, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, may make up the remaining 5% to 10%.

Regional differences can impact these percentages, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City offering higher base salaries and bonuses due to the cost of living and competitive job market. Industry also plays a role; financial services and tech companies often provide more lucrative packages compared to smaller firms or non-profit organizations. Company size can influence the availability of stock options or profit-sharing, with larger companies more likely to offer these incentives.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 146,000, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Red Team Lead or Director of Offensive Security. These positions often come with higher compensation due to increased responsibilities. Additionally, specializing in niche areas like cloud security, IoT security, or AI-driven threat detection can make you more valuable and justify a higher salary. Networking within the industry and building a strong personal brand through speaking engagements, publications, or contributions to open-source projects can also enhance your marketability and salary potential.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert Red Team Operator positions require 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 for roles with a strategic or leadership focus. However, practical experience and demonstrated skills often weigh more heavily than formal education in this field.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly bolster your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise. Common and highly regarded certifications for Red Team Operators include:

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
• Certified Red Team Professional (CRTP)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

These certifications validate your skills in penetration testing, ethical hacking, and information security, making you a more attractive candidate for senior roles.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Red Team Operator is expected to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a significant portion dedicated to offensive security or penetration testing. Experience in leading red team engagements, developing attack strategies, and simulating advanced persistent threats is crucial. Familiarity with a wide range of tools and techniques, as well as experience in various industries, can also be beneficial.

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