Salary for Senior-level / Expert Security Consultant in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Consultant salary lies between USD 124,371 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. 15, 2024

Salary trend

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

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

Cloud | 283 jobs Compliance | 198 jobs CISSP | 184 jobs NIST | 171 jobs Computer Science | 165 jobs Risk management | 149 jobs Risk assessment | 145 jobs Governance | 143 jobs Strategy | 136 jobs Azure | 133 jobs CISM | 132 jobs Vulnerabilities | 121 jobs Incident response | 111 jobs ISO 27001 | 109 jobs Monitoring | 107 jobs AWS | 103 jobs Firewalls | 99 jobs CISA | 94 jobs Audits | 93 jobs GCP | 93 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Consultant 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 298 jobs Flex hours | 137 jobs Health care | 130 jobs Team events | 115 jobs Competitive pay | 87 jobs Startup environment | 73 jobs Equity / stock options | 67 jobs Salary bonus | 51 jobs Flex vacation | 41 jobs Insurance | 31 jobs Conferences | 29 jobs Medical leave | 24 jobs Parental leave | 21 jobs Travel | 15 jobs Flat hierarchy | 12 jobs 401(k) matching | 9 jobs Wellness | 9 jobs Fitness / gym | 8 jobs Relocation support | 5 jobs Gear | 4 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Security Consultant in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically includes a combination of 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 and industry, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, is more common in larger companies or tech-focused industries and can make up the remaining 5% to 10%. 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.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 150,000, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Security. These positions typically offer higher compensation packages. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like cloud security, threat intelligence, or incident response can make you more valuable. Networking within the industry, attending conferences, and contributing to publications or speaking engagements can also enhance your reputation and open up higher-paying opportunities. Finally, negotiating your salary based on market research and your unique skills and contributions can lead to a higher compensation package.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Security Consultant positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cyber Security. Some employers may prefer or require a master's degree, particularly for more strategic roles. Degrees in fields like Business Administration or Management Information Systems can also be beneficial, especially if they include a focus on security or risk management. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses is also important to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in the field.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the InfoSec/Cyber Security industry and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and beneficial certifications for a Senior-level Security Consultant include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

These certifications demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, often leading to better job prospects and higher salaries.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Security Consultant is expected to have at least 7 to 10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include a mix of technical and strategic roles, with a proven track record of managing security projects, leading teams, and implementing security solutions. Experience in specific industries, such as finance, healthcare, or government, can also be advantageous, as these sectors often have unique security requirements and regulations.

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