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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert System Engineer salary lies between USD 118,000 and USD 194,350 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 System Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert System Engineer job listings are Clearance, Cloud and CISSP. 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:

Clearance | 36 jobs Cloud | 32 jobs CISSP | 31 jobs Computer Science | 29 jobs Linux | 24 jobs Compliance | 22 jobs DoD | 22 jobs Windows | 19 jobs TS/SCI | 19 jobs Polygraph | 17 jobs Firewalls | 16 jobs Risk management | 16 jobs Vulnerabilities | 15 jobs UNIX | 15 jobs Privacy | 15 jobs Scripting | 15 jobs AWS | 14 jobs Azure | 14 jobs CISA | 14 jobs DoDD 8570 | 14 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert System Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Insurance. 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 | 44 jobs Health care | 33 jobs Insurance | 25 jobs Competitive pay | 22 jobs 401(k) matching | 21 jobs Flex vacation | 19 jobs Medical leave | 19 jobs Flex hours | 17 jobs Startup environment | 15 jobs Parental leave | 14 jobs Wellness | 11 jobs Team events | 7 jobs Equity / stock options | 6 jobs Relocation support | 4 jobs Fitness / gym | 3 jobs Transparency | 3 jobs Salary bonus | 2 jobs Signing bonus | 1 jobs Home office stipend | 1 jobs Flexible spending account | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level/Expert System Engineer in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The fixed base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, usually ranging from 70% to 85%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, is more common in larger companies or tech-focused industries and can account for 5% to 10% of the total package. Regional differences also play a role, with higher salaries often found in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, New York City, or Washington D.C.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level/Expert System Engineer position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Director of Cyber Security. These roles typically offer higher compensation due to increased responsibilities. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like cloud security, artificial intelligence security, or blockchain technology can make you more valuable. Networking within industry groups, attending conferences, and publishing thought leadership articles can also enhance your visibility and open up higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert System Engineer positions in InfoSec/Cyber Security 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 in cybersecurity, information assurance, or business administration with a focus on technology. Continuous education through workshops, seminars, and online courses is also beneficial to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in the field.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the InfoSec/Cyber Security field. Some of the most recognized and helpful certifications 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)
• CompTIA Security+

These certifications demonstrate a commitment to the field and provide validation of your skills and knowledge.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert System Engineer in InfoSec/Cyber Security is expected to have at least 7 to 10 years of experience in IT or cybersecurity roles. This experience should include hands-on work with security systems, network architecture, and risk management. Experience in leadership or project management roles is also beneficial, as it demonstrates the ability to manage teams and complex projects.

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