Salary for Senior-level / Expert Threat Hunter in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Threat Hunter salary lies between USD 118,000 and USD 190,000 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. 15, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Threat Hunter roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Threat Hunter job listings are Threat intelligence, Incident response and Malware. 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:

Threat intelligence | 87 jobs Incident response | 74 jobs Malware | 73 jobs Python | 70 jobs Scripting | 60 jobs Cloud | 58 jobs EDR | 56 jobs SOC | 51 jobs SIEM | 48 jobs MITRE ATT&CK | 45 jobs Forensics | 43 jobs Windows | 43 jobs TTPs | 41 jobs Linux | 41 jobs APT | 38 jobs Computer Science | 38 jobs Splunk | 35 jobs Automation | 34 jobs Pentesting | 34 jobs Analytics | 32 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Threat Hunter roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Threat Hunter job listings are Career development, Team events 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 | 75 jobs Team events | 56 jobs Equity / stock options | 35 jobs Medical leave | 32 jobs Health care | 31 jobs Parental leave | 27 jobs Flex hours | 25 jobs Competitive pay | 20 jobs Transparency | 19 jobs Insurance | 19 jobs Wellness | 16 jobs Salary bonus | 15 jobs Flex vacation | 12 jobs Startup environment | 12 jobs Fitness / gym | 11 jobs 401(k) matching | 9 jobs Home office stipend | 5 jobs Gear | 4 jobs Cell phone stipend | 3 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level/Expert Threat Hunter can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary is composed of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. This base salary can range from 70% to 85% of the total compensation. In addition to the base salary, bonuses are a common component, often tied to performance metrics or company profitability. These bonuses can account for 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Additional remuneration may include stock options, especially in tech companies, and other benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development allowances. In regions with a high cost of living, such as the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City, salaries tend to be higher to compensate for living expenses. Similarly, larger companies or those in high-demand industries like finance or technology may offer more competitive compensation packages.

Increasing Salary Further

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

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of cybersecurity, such as cloud security, AI-driven threat detection, or IoT security, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Threat Hunting Team Lead or Cybersecurity Director, which typically offer higher salaries.
• Consulting: Explore opportunities in cybersecurity consulting, where you can leverage your expertise to advise multiple organizations and potentially earn a higher income.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest cybersecurity trends and technologies through continuous education and training, making you more valuable to employers.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about high-paying opportunities and gain insights into salary negotiation strategies.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level/Expert Threat Hunter position, most employers require a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cybersecurity. Some positions may prefer or require a master's degree, especially for roles with a focus on research or advanced threat analysis. Relevant coursework in network security, cryptography, and computer forensics can be particularly beneficial. Additionally, a strong foundation in programming and understanding of operating systems is often necessary.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some of the most valuable certifications for a Threat Hunter include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

These certifications validate your skills in various aspects of cybersecurity and threat hunting, making you a more competitive candidate.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Threat Hunter position requires at least 5 to 10 years of experience in cybersecurity or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work in threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability assessment. Experience with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions is often essential. Additionally, experience in conducting threat intelligence analysis and familiarity with advanced persistent threats (APTs) can be crucial.

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