Salary for Senior-level / Expert Security Lead during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Lead salary lies between USD 100,712 and USD 196,500 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

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 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:

Compliance | 270 jobs Cloud | 198 jobs CISSP | 188 jobs Risk management | 159 jobs Vulnerabilities | 149 jobs NIST | 146 jobs Strategy | 145 jobs Computer Science | 145 jobs Monitoring | 140 jobs Incident response | 127 jobs CISM | 121 jobs Audits | 111 jobs ISO 27001 | 99 jobs Risk assessment | 97 jobs Governance | 91 jobs Application security | 89 jobs Vulnerability management | 79 jobs Privacy | 79 jobs Firewalls | 72 jobs Security assessment | 69 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 Flex hours. 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 | 237 jobs Health care | 168 jobs Flex hours | 119 jobs Team events | 96 jobs Competitive pay | 92 jobs Insurance | 88 jobs Medical leave | 76 jobs Startup environment | 69 jobs Equity / stock options | 67 jobs Flex vacation | 67 jobs Parental leave | 60 jobs Salary bonus | 53 jobs Wellness | 51 jobs 401(k) matching | 50 jobs Fitness / gym | 31 jobs Home office stipend | 17 jobs Gear | 12 jobs Relocation support | 12 jobs Fertility benefits | 12 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 10 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Security Lead 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 often the largest component, providing a stable income. Performance bonuses are usually tied to individual, team, or company performance metrics and can vary significantly. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies, or profit-sharing schemes, which are more common in larger organizations. The composition can vary based on region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like Silicon Valley might offer higher base salaries and stock options, while financial institutions might provide substantial bonuses.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 151,800, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or specializing in high-demand areas like cloud security or AI-driven security solutions. Networking within industry circles and attending conferences can open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, gaining expertise in emerging technologies and trends can make you more valuable. Negotiating skills are also crucial; understanding your worth and effectively communicating it during salary discussions can lead to better compensation packages.

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 or an MBA with a focus on information security can be advantageous and sometimes preferred. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses is also important to stay updated with the latest security trends and technologies.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the InfoSec field. Common and beneficial certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). These certifications demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, often making candidates more attractive to employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Security Lead role requires at least 7-10 years of experience in information security or related fields. This experience should include hands-on technical work, as well as strategic planning and leadership. Experience in managing security teams, developing security policies, and implementing security solutions is often required. Familiarity with regulatory requirements and industry standards is also important.

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