Security Consultant Salary in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average Security Consultant salary lies between USD 120,000 and USD 200,000 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: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Security Consultant roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Security Consultant job listings are Cloud, Compliance and Computer Science. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Cloud | 198 jobs Compliance | 165 jobs Computer Science | 128 jobs NIST | 114 jobs Risk management | 111 jobs Azure | 110 jobs Risk assessment | 103 jobs Strategy | 101 jobs AWS | 98 jobs Monitoring | 98 jobs CISSP | 95 jobs Governance | 93 jobs Pentesting | 90 jobs Python | 87 jobs C | 86 jobs Linux | 85 jobs Windows | 83 jobs GCP | 82 jobs Vulnerabilities | 75 jobs Privacy | 73 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Security Consultant roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Security Consultant job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Team events. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 230 jobs Flex hours | 145 jobs Team events | 121 jobs Competitive pay | 119 jobs Health care | 93 jobs Equity / stock options | 89 jobs Startup environment | 69 jobs Flex vacation | 46 jobs Salary bonus | 37 jobs Conferences | 30 jobs Home office stipend | 26 jobs Insurance | 19 jobs Medical leave | 16 jobs Wellness | 12 jobs Parental leave | 10 jobs Travel | 10 jobs 401(k) matching | 9 jobs Relocation support | 5 jobs Flat hierarchy | 4 jobs Fitness / gym | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Security Consultant in the InfoSec/Cyber Security field typically includes a mix of a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, 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 make up 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 the position of a Security Consultant, consider pursuing advanced certifications or specialized training in emerging areas of cybersecurity, such as cloud security or AI-driven security solutions. Networking within the industry and attending relevant conferences can also open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Additionally, gaining experience in leadership or management positions can lead to roles with greater responsibility and higher compensation. Exploring opportunities in high-demand sectors, such as finance or healthcare, where cybersecurity is critical, can also result in higher salaries.

Educational Requirements

Most Security Consultant positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cybersecurity. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for more senior roles. Relevant coursework in network security, cryptography, and risk management is often beneficial. Continuous education and staying updated with the latest cybersecurity trends and technologies are crucial in this rapidly evolving field.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity industry and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Some of the most common and beneficial certifications for a Security Consultant include:

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

These certifications demonstrate a strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices and are often required or preferred by employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Security Consultant role requires several years of experience in the cybersecurity field. This can range from 3 to 5 years for mid-level positions to over 10 years for senior roles. Experience in roles such as security analyst, network administrator, or penetration tester can provide a solid foundation for transitioning into a consultant position. Hands-on experience with security tools, incident response, and risk assessment is highly valued.

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