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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Operations Analyst salary lies between USD 101,500 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 Operations Analyst roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Operations Analyst job listings are Incident response, SIEM and Monitoring. 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:

Incident response | 40 jobs SIEM | 25 jobs Monitoring | 24 jobs SOC | 21 jobs Cloud | 19 jobs Threat intelligence | 16 jobs Firewalls | 15 jobs CISSP | 15 jobs Windows | 15 jobs Compliance | 15 jobs EDR | 15 jobs Vulnerabilities | 13 jobs Python | 13 jobs MITRE ATT&CK | 13 jobs Scripting | 13 jobs IDS | 12 jobs Automation | 12 jobs Linux | 12 jobs Computer Science | 12 jobs Forensics | 11 jobs

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

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

Career development | 32 jobs Health care | 25 jobs Team events | 21 jobs Equity / stock options | 15 jobs Flex hours | 15 jobs Competitive pay | 12 jobs Wellness | 10 jobs Medical leave | 10 jobs Parental leave | 9 jobs Flex vacation | 8 jobs Startup environment | 7 jobs Salary bonus | 7 jobs 401(k) matching | 5 jobs Insurance | 5 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs Relocation support | 2 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Security Operations Analyst in the United States typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The fixed base salary is the largest component, often 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 or profit-sharing, is more common in larger companies or tech-heavy industries and can make up the remaining 5-10% of the total compensation. 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 demand for skilled professionals.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of $142,500, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Security Operations Manager or Director of Security Operations. These positions not only offer higher salaries but also provide opportunities to influence strategic decisions. 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 open-source projects can also enhance your visibility and lead to higher-paying opportunities. Finally, negotiating your salary based on market research and your unique skills can result in a more favorable compensation package.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Security Operations Analyst positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree, especially for roles that involve strategic decision-making or leadership responsibilities. 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 the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and highly regarded certifications for this role include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
• CompTIA Security+

These certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Security Operations Analyst is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in information security or a related field. This experience should include hands-on work with security technologies, incident response, threat analysis, and vulnerability management. Experience in leading teams or projects, as well as a proven track record of successfully mitigating security threats, is often required for senior roles.

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