Salary for Senior-level / Expert Security Operations Engineer during 2023

💰 The median Salary for Senior-level / Expert Security Operations Engineer during 2023 is USD 171,976

✏️ This salary info is based on 21 individual salaries reported during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Operations Engineer salary lies between USD 135,500 and USD 197,772 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.

Job title: Security Operations Engineer

Experience: Senior-level / Expert

Region: global/worldwide

Salary year: 2023

Sample size: 21

Top 10%: $ 230,000

Top 25%: $ 197,772

Median: $ 171,976

Bottom 25%: $ 135,500

Bottom 10%: $ 115,000

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

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

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

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Operations Engineer job listings are Career development, Team events and Health care. 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:

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Security Operations Engineer typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses are often tied to individual or company performance metrics and can vary significantly. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies, or profit-sharing schemes in larger corporations. 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

To increase your salary from this position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Security Operations Manager or Director of Security Operations. These roles 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 staying updated with the latest security trends and technologies can also open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Engaging in continuous learning and obtaining advanced certifications can further enhance your qualifications and salary prospects.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Security Operations Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for expert-level roles. A strong educational background provides a solid foundation in the technical and theoretical aspects of cybersecurity, which is crucial for tackling complex security challenges.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your credentials. Common certifications for this role include:

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

These certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate for senior-level positions.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Security Operations Engineer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in cybersecurity or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work in security operations, incident response, threat analysis, and vulnerability management. Experience in leading teams or projects is also highly beneficial, as it demonstrates your ability to manage complex security operations and collaborate effectively with other departments.

Related salaries

Security Operations Engineer @ $ 172,100 (global) Details

Security Operations Engineer @ $ 160,000 (United States) - Senior-level / Expert Details

Security Operations Engineer @ $ 171,976 (United States) Details

Want to contribute?

📝 Submit your salary info

Enter your own salary data for the current or past work year. It's quite simple and doesn't take more than a minute to fill out.

Go to salary survey

📢 Share our salary survey

Share our "in-less-than-a-minute survey" with others working in the field of InfoSec / Cybersecurity. The more data we have the better for everyone.

💾 Download the data

All collected information will be updated into a public dataset regularly and provided as a download free for anyone to use.

Go to download page

🚀 Search for jobs & talent

If you're thinking about a career change or want to hire fresh talent quickly check out the jobs page.

Go to frontpage

About this project

We collect salary information anonymously from professionals and employers all over the world and make it publicly available for anyone to use, share and play around with.

Our goal is to have open salary data for everyone. So newbies, experienced pros, hiring managers, recruiters and also startup founders or people wanting to switch careers can make better decisions.

Add your salary info Download all salary data