Salary for Senior-level / Expert Reverse Engineer during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Reverse Engineer salary lies between USD 105,000 and USD 221,000 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: Nov. 17, 2024

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Reverse Engineer job listings are Reverse engineering, C and Ghidra. 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:

Reverse engineering | 104 jobs C | 77 jobs Ghidra | 76 jobs Clearance | 75 jobs Python | 62 jobs Malware | 60 jobs Computer Science | 60 jobs TS/SCI | 50 jobs Polygraph | 49 jobs Security Clearance | 49 jobs IDA Pro | 48 jobs Binary Ninja | 37 jobs Vulnerabilities | 36 jobs Windows | 30 jobs Exploit | 27 jobs Top Secret | 26 jobs GREM | 26 jobs Linux | 25 jobs CISSP | 24 jobs Scripting | 23 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Reverse Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Medical leave. 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 | 57 jobs Health care | 55 jobs Medical leave | 38 jobs Parental leave | 27 jobs Flex vacation | 26 jobs Flex hours | 25 jobs Insurance | 25 jobs Salary bonus | 22 jobs Equity / stock options | 21 jobs 401(k) matching | 16 jobs Wellness | 14 jobs Competitive pay | 10 jobs Team events | 10 jobs Startup environment | 6 jobs Fertility benefits | 6 jobs Conferences | 5 jobs Relocation support | 5 jobs Gear | 4 jobs Transparency | 4 jobs Home office stipend | 4 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Reverse Engineer in InfoSec/Cyber Security 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 demand for skilled professionals. Industry-specific factors can also influence salary composition, with financial services and defense sectors often offering higher bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level/Expert Reverse Engineer position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of reverse engineering, such as malware analysis or firmware reverse engineering, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a team lead or department head, which typically come with higher pay.
• Consulting: Offer consulting services or freelance work, which can provide additional income streams and increase your market value.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in cybersecurity, and pursue advanced certifications or degrees.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and negotiate better compensation packages.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert Reverse Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles in research-intensive industries or academia. Some employers may also consider candidates with extensive practical experience and a strong portfolio of reverse engineering projects, even if they lack formal education credentials.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some common and beneficial certifications for reverse engineers include:

• GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM): Focuses on analyzing malicious software.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Provides a broad understanding of cybersecurity principles.
• Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE): Emphasizes advanced penetration testing and exploit development skills.
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Covers various hacking techniques and tools.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Reverse Engineer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a significant portion dedicated to reverse engineering. Experience in analyzing complex software, understanding assembly language, and using reverse engineering tools like IDA Pro, Ghidra, or Radare2 is crucial. Additionally, experience in related fields such as malware analysis, vulnerability research, or exploit development can be highly beneficial.

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