Salary for Senior-level / Expert Security Specialist in United States during 2022

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Security Specialist salary lies between USD 131,300 and USD 177,600 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: Nov. 24, 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 Vulnerabilities. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 56 jobs Cloud | 56 jobs Vulnerabilities | 35 jobs AWS | 33 jobs Privacy | 33 jobs Automation | 29 jobs Audits | 27 jobs Strategy | 26 jobs NIST | 26 jobs Application security | 26 jobs Computer Science | 26 jobs Python | 25 jobs CISSP | 22 jobs Incident response | 21 jobs Risk assessment | 21 jobs GCP | 21 jobs Clearance | 20 jobs Pentesting | 20 jobs Monitoring | 20 jobs Network security | 19 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 Startup environment. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 68 jobs Team events | 40 jobs Startup environment | 32 jobs Flex hours | 31 jobs Health care | 30 jobs Flex vacation | 20 jobs Salary bonus | 18 jobs Equity / stock options | 15 jobs Parental leave | 12 jobs Competitive pay | 12 jobs Conferences | 12 jobs Insurance | 10 jobs 401(k) matching | 8 jobs Signing bonus | 7 jobs Medical leave | 6 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 6 jobs Home office stipend | 4 jobs Fertility benefits | 3 jobs Wellness | 2 jobs Travel | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Security 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, is more common in larger companies or tech firms and can add another 5-10% to 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. Industry-wise, sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology often offer more competitive packages compared to others.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Security. These positions not only offer higher salaries but also come with greater responsibilities and influence within an organization. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas such as cloud security, threat intelligence, or incident response can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles, attending conferences, and contributing to publications can also enhance your visibility and open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Lastly, negotiating your salary during performance reviews or when taking on new responsibilities can lead to incremental increases.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Security Specialist roles require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity or information assurance can be advantageous and is sometimes preferred by employers. Advanced degrees not only provide deeper technical knowledge but also cover management and strategic aspects of cybersecurity, which are crucial for senior roles. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses is also important to keep up with the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and respected certifications for senior-level positions 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 a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, often leading to better job prospects and higher salaries.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Security Specialist is expected to have at least 7-10 years of experience in the cybersecurity field. This experience should include hands-on technical work, such as penetration testing, network security, and incident response, as well as strategic roles involving risk management and policy development. Experience in leading teams or projects is also highly beneficial, as it demonstrates leadership capabilities and the ability to manage complex security initiatives.

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