Salary for Senior-level / Expert Security Specialist during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Specialist salary lies between USD 85,000 and USD 154,800 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 Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Specialist job listings are Compliance, Cloud and CISSP. 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 | 110 jobs Cloud | 76 jobs CISSP | 74 jobs Monitoring | 74 jobs Vulnerabilities | 58 jobs Risk management | 58 jobs Incident response | 54 jobs Automation | 50 jobs NIST | 49 jobs Computer Science | 48 jobs Azure | 46 jobs Firewalls | 44 jobs AWS | 43 jobs Risk assessment | 42 jobs CISM | 42 jobs Governance | 42 jobs SOC | 42 jobs Clearance | 41 jobs Privacy | 41 jobs Linux | 40 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Security Specialist job listings are Career development, Team events and Flex hours. 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 | 118 jobs Team events | 90 jobs Flex hours | 81 jobs Health care | 56 jobs Startup environment | 55 jobs Competitive pay | 47 jobs Equity / stock options | 42 jobs Flex vacation | 34 jobs Parental leave | 25 jobs Medical leave | 24 jobs Salary bonus | 23 jobs Conferences | 20 jobs Insurance | 16 jobs 401(k) matching | 13 jobs Wellness | 13 jobs Transparency | 11 jobs Home office stipend | 11 jobs Fitness / gym | 7 jobs Lunch / meals | 6 jobs Gear | 6 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Security Specialist 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 and varies significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City often offer higher base salaries compared to other regions due to the higher cost of living and competitive job market. Bonuses are usually performance-based and can range from 10% to 20% of the base salary, depending on the company's financial health and individual performance. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech startups, or profit-sharing plans in larger corporations. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off also contribute to the overall compensation package.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Senior-level/Expert Security Specialist position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Security Manager or Director of Information Security. These roles typically offer higher compensation due to increased 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 and staying updated with the latest security trends and technologies can also open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Pursuing advanced certifications or a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related field can further enhance your qualifications and salary prospects.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert Security 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, especially for roles with significant leadership responsibilities. A strong educational background provides the foundational knowledge necessary to understand complex security concepts and technologies.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are crucial in the cybersecurity field as they validate your skills and knowledge. Common certifications that are highly regarded for this role include:

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

These certifications demonstrate expertise in various aspects of cybersecurity and are often required or preferred by employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Security Specialist is expected to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience in the cybersecurity field. This experience should include hands-on technical work, such as penetration testing, security analysis, and incident response, as well as strategic roles involving security policy development and risk management. Experience in leading projects or teams can also be beneficial, as it demonstrates leadership and management capabilities.

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