Salary for Senior-level / Expert Software Engineer in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Software Engineer salary lies between USD 133,500 and USD 230,000 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 Software Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Software Engineer job listings are Cloud, Computer Science and Python. 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:

Cloud | 1018 jobs Computer Science | 840 jobs Python | 770 jobs Java | 616 jobs AWS | 585 jobs C | 536 jobs Monitoring | 499 jobs Compliance | 474 jobs Agile | 426 jobs Kubernetes | 425 jobs Azure | 420 jobs Automation | 420 jobs APIs | 410 jobs GCP | 383 jobs Linux | 369 jobs Privacy | 348 jobs Docker | 341 jobs CI/CD | 318 jobs SQL | 259 jobs DevOps | 251 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Software Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Equity / stock options. 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 | 1003 jobs Health care | 791 jobs Equity / stock options | 609 jobs Flex hours | 606 jobs Flex vacation | 601 jobs Parental leave | 570 jobs Medical leave | 507 jobs Insurance | 393 jobs Salary bonus | 382 jobs Startup environment | 341 jobs Competitive pay | 317 jobs Team events | 260 jobs Wellness | 205 jobs 401(k) matching | 174 jobs Transparency | 104 jobs Home office stipend | 104 jobs Gear | 78 jobs Relocation support | 70 jobs Flexible spending account | 67 jobs Fertility benefits | 52 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Software Engineer in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically includes a combination of base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity. The base salary often constitutes the largest portion, ranging from 70% to 85% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profits, usually account for 10% to 20%. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, equity, or other benefits, can make up the remaining 5% to 10%.

The composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City might offer higher base salaries and more substantial equity packages, while companies in the finance or healthcare sectors might provide more generous bonuses. Larger companies often have more structured compensation packages with clear bonus and equity components, whereas smaller companies or startups might offer more equity to compensate for lower base salaries.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of cybersecurity, such as cloud security, AI security, or blockchain technology, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Cybersecurity, which typically offer higher compensation.
• Consulting: Explore opportunities in consulting, where you can leverage your expertise to advise multiple organizations, often at a premium rate.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in cybersecurity to remain competitive and justify salary increases.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and negotiate better compensation packages.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level positions in InfoSec/Cyber Security require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity, information assurance, or a similar discipline can be advantageous and sometimes preferred. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of complex security issues and demonstrate a commitment to the field, potentially leading to higher salaries and more senior roles.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some of the most recognized and beneficial certifications in the field include:

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

These certifications cover a range of skills and knowledge areas, from ethical hacking to security management, and can help you stand out in the job market.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level position in InfoSec/Cyber Security requires at least 5 to 10 years of relevant experience. This experience should include hands-on work in cybersecurity roles, such as security analysis, penetration testing, or security architecture. Experience in leading projects, managing teams, or developing security strategies is also highly valued. Employers look for candidates who have a proven track record of successfully implementing security measures and responding to security incidents.

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