Salary for Senior-level / Expert SOC Engineer during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert SOC Engineer salary lies between USD 125,000 and USD 185,000 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

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert SOC Engineer job listings are SOC, Incident response 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:

SOC | 69 jobs Incident response | 53 jobs Monitoring | 45 jobs Cloud | 42 jobs SIEM | 41 jobs Scripting | 38 jobs Automation | 32 jobs Threat intelligence | 30 jobs EDR | 29 jobs Linux | 28 jobs Python | 26 jobs Sentinel | 25 jobs Forensics | 23 jobs Malware | 22 jobs SOAR | 22 jobs CISSP | 19 jobs DFIR | 19 jobs RDBMS | 19 jobs UNIX | 18 jobs Open Source | 18 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert SOC Engineer job listings are Team events, Career development and Startup environment. 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:

Team events | 45 jobs Career development | 38 jobs Startup environment | 25 jobs Competitive pay | 22 jobs Salary bonus | 22 jobs Equity / stock options | 21 jobs Conferences | 20 jobs Flex hours | 17 jobs Insurance | 17 jobs Flex vacation | 15 jobs Health care | 15 jobs Parental leave | 14 jobs Wellness | 11 jobs Home office stipend | 10 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 9 jobs Medical leave | 4 jobs 401(k) matching | 2 jobs Lunch / meals | 1 jobs Gear | 1 jobs Fitness / gym | 1 jobs

Salary Composition for a Senior SOC Engineer

The salary for a Senior SOC Engineer 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 based on company 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 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 competitive job market.

Steps to Increase Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 174,000, consider pursuing leadership roles such as SOC Manager or Director of Security Operations. These positions not only offer higher salaries but also provide opportunities to influence strategic decisions. Additionally, specializing in emerging areas like cloud security, threat intelligence, or AI-driven security solutions can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles and attending conferences can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Finally, consider negotiating your salary by leveraging offers from other companies or highlighting your contributions to your current employer.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior SOC 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 roles that involve strategic decision-making or leadership responsibilities. A strong foundation in networking, operating systems, and cybersecurity principles is essential. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses can also be beneficial in keeping up with the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common certifications for a Senior SOC Engineer 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 a commitment to the field and a comprehensive understanding of security principles and practices.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior SOC Engineer is expected to have 5-10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a focus on security operations. Experience in incident response, threat analysis, and security monitoring is crucial. Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and other security technologies is often required. Leadership experience, such as managing a team or leading projects, can also be advantageous.

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