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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Lead salary lies between USD 125,000 and USD 165,000 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 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 the United States 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 approximately 70-80% of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can range from 10-20%, depending on the company's profitability and individual performance metrics. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, can vary significantly based on the company's size and industry. For instance, tech companies, especially in regions like Silicon Valley, may offer substantial stock options as part of the compensation package. In contrast, smaller companies or those in less tech-centric regions might offer more modest additional benefits.

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 Information Security. These roles often come with higher compensation due to their strategic importance and leadership requirements. Additionally, expanding your expertise in emerging areas like cloud security, AI-driven security solutions, or cybersecurity for IoT can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles, attending conferences, and publishing thought leadership pieces can also enhance your visibility and open up higher-paying opportunities.

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, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in cybersecurity, information assurance, or business administration with a focus on information systems. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of complex security issues and strategic management skills, which are crucial for senior roles.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and beneficial certifications for a Senior-level/Expert Security Lead include:

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

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 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, incident response, and vulnerability assessment, as well as leadership skills, such as team management and strategic planning. Experience in specific industries, like finance or healthcare, can also be advantageous due to the unique regulatory and security challenges they present.

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