Salary for Senior-level / Expert Security Lead during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Lead salary lies between USD 125,000 and USD 165,000 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

Salary trend

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

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

Compliance | 28 jobs Cloud | 24 jobs Strategy | 18 jobs Network security | 17 jobs Incident response | 16 jobs Vulnerabilities | 16 jobs Python | 16 jobs Risk assessment | 15 jobs Computer Science | 15 jobs AWS | 14 jobs Automation | 14 jobs Privacy | 14 jobs Monitoring | 14 jobs Finance | 12 jobs Audits | 11 jobs Firewalls | 11 jobs TCP/IP | 10 jobs Kubernetes | 10 jobs Governance | 10 jobs Vulnerability management | 9 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Lead job listings are Career development, Health care and Team events. 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 | 29 jobs Health care | 24 jobs Team events | 20 jobs Flex hours | 16 jobs Insurance | 16 jobs Equity / stock options | 15 jobs Competitive pay | 15 jobs Flex vacation | 10 jobs Startup environment | 10 jobs Parental leave | 8 jobs Medical leave | 8 jobs 401(k) matching | 6 jobs Salary bonus | 6 jobs Travel | 5 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 4 jobs Wellness | 3 jobs Gear | 3 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Home office stipend | 2 jobs Transparency | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Security Lead in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary is often the largest component, 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 package. 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-wise, financial services and technology companies often offer higher compensation compared to other sectors.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level/Expert Security Lead position, consider pursuing roles with greater responsibility, such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Security. These positions often come with 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 and maintaining a strong professional presence can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Finally, consider negotiating your salary during performance reviews or when taking on additional responsibilities.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert Security Lead 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 assurance, or business administration can be advantageous and sometimes preferred. Advanced degrees demonstrate a deeper understanding of the field and can set you apart from other candidates.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are crucial in the InfoSec/Cyber Security field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and highly regarded certifications include:

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

These certifications validate your expertise and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate for senior roles.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Security Lead position requires at least 7-10 years of experience in information security or a related field. This experience should include a mix of technical skills, such as network security, vulnerability assessment, and incident response, as well as leadership skills, such as team management and strategic planning. Experience in specific industries, like finance or healthcare, can also be beneficial due to the unique security challenges they present.

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