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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Operations Specialist salary lies between USD 139,840 and USD 241,310 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

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Operations Specialist job listings are Incident response, Cloud and AWS. 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 | 20 jobs Cloud | 19 jobs AWS | 17 jobs IDS | 15 jobs CISSP | 15 jobs Automation | 13 jobs Linux | 13 jobs SIEM | 12 jobs Monitoring | 12 jobs IPS | 11 jobs Vulnerability management | 11 jobs Vulnerabilities | 11 jobs Endpoint security | 11 jobs DDoS | 11 jobs Python | 10 jobs GCP | 10 jobs EDR | 10 jobs Privacy | 10 jobs Forensics | 9 jobs Windows | 9 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Operations Specialist job listings are Career development, Health care and Transparency. 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 | 19 jobs Health care | 12 jobs Transparency | 10 jobs Team events | 10 jobs Equity / stock options | 7 jobs Parental leave | 7 jobs Flex hours | 7 jobs Medical leave | 7 jobs Insurance | 7 jobs 401(k) matching | 6 jobs Flex vacation | 6 jobs Flexible spending account | 5 jobs Startup environment | 4 jobs Travel | 2 jobs Relocation support | 2 jobs Wellness | 1 jobs Competitive pay | 1 jobs Conferences | 1 jobs Salary bonus | 1 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Security Operations Specialist 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. 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, can make up the remaining 5-10%, though this varies widely based on the company's size and industry.

In regions with a high cost of living, such as the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City, base salaries tend to be higher to compensate for living expenses. Similarly, larger companies or those in high-demand industries like finance or technology may offer more competitive compensation packages, including more substantial bonuses and stock options.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median for this position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Security Operations Manager or Director of Security Operations. These roles typically come with higher compensation and greater responsibilities. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like cloud security, threat intelligence, or incident response can make you more valuable to employers. Networking within the industry, attending conferences, and contributing to open-source projects can also enhance your reputation and open doors to higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Security Operations Specialist 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, particularly in cybersecurity or information assurance, as it demonstrates a deeper understanding of the field. 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 highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Some of the most recognized certifications for this role include:

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

These certifications demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of security principles and practices, and they are often required or preferred by employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Security Operations Specialist 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 in security operations, incident response, threat analysis, and vulnerability management. Experience in leading security projects or teams is also highly desirable, as it demonstrates leadership capabilities and the ability to manage complex security challenges.

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