Salary for Senior-level / Expert Security Architect in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Architect salary lies between USD 125,000 and USD 193,000 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: Dec. 22, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Security Architect roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Architect job listings are Cloud, Compliance and AWS. 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:

Cloud | 460 jobs Compliance | 259 jobs AWS | 232 jobs Azure | 230 jobs CISSP | 215 jobs Strategy | 197 jobs NIST | 169 jobs Computer Science | 166 jobs Network security | 162 jobs GCP | 157 jobs Vulnerabilities | 151 jobs Application security | 145 jobs IAM | 143 jobs Monitoring | 136 jobs Firewalls | 128 jobs ISO 27001 | 111 jobs Encryption | 104 jobs Governance | 103 jobs Python | 102 jobs Risk management | 102 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Security Architect roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Architect job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Health care. 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 | 308 jobs Flex hours | 203 jobs Health care | 188 jobs Competitive pay | 155 jobs Flex vacation | 141 jobs Team events | 129 jobs Salary bonus | 100 jobs Parental leave | 95 jobs Equity / stock options | 93 jobs Startup environment | 76 jobs Insurance | 60 jobs Medical leave | 56 jobs Conferences | 42 jobs 401(k) matching | 39 jobs Wellness | 30 jobs Transparency | 28 jobs Fitness / gym | 27 jobs Home office stipend | 24 jobs Gear | 14 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 12 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Security Architect in the United States typically comprises several components. The fixed base salary is the largest portion, often accounting for 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profitability, usually make up 10-20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration may include stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives, which can vary significantly depending on the company size, industry, and region. For instance, tech companies in Silicon Valley might offer substantial stock options, while financial institutions in New York may provide higher cash bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas such as cloud security, AI security, or blockchain technology, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into roles with greater responsibility, such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Security.
• Consulting: Explore opportunities in consulting, where you can leverage your expertise across multiple projects and potentially earn higher fees.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about high-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Security Architect positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity, information security, or business administration can be advantageous and may be preferred by some employers. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses is also beneficial to stay updated with the latest security trends and technologies.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are crucial in demonstrating expertise and commitment to the field. Some of the most valuable certifications for a Security Architect include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

These certifications not only enhance your knowledge but also increase your marketability and potential salary.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Security Architect is expected to have at least 8-10 years of experience in information security or related fields. This experience should include hands-on technical roles, such as security analyst or engineer, as well as strategic roles that involve designing and implementing security architectures. Experience in leading security projects and teams is also highly valued.

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