Security Specialist Salary in United States during 2022

Salary details

The average Security Specialist salary lies between USD 92,400 and USD 177,600 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. 24, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Security Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Security Specialist job listings are Compliance, Cloud and Vulnerabilities. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 123 jobs Cloud | 92 jobs Vulnerabilities | 62 jobs Monitoring | 60 jobs Audits | 59 jobs Privacy | 57 jobs NIST | 50 jobs Incident response | 48 jobs AWS | 47 jobs Risk assessment | 42 jobs Computer Science | 42 jobs Automation | 40 jobs Application security | 40 jobs Network security | 39 jobs CISSP | 39 jobs Risk management | 39 jobs Vulnerability management | 38 jobs Security assessment | 38 jobs Strategy | 38 jobs ISO 27001 | 38 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Security Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Security Specialist job listings are Career development, Team events and Health care. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 130 jobs Team events | 81 jobs Health care | 75 jobs Flex hours | 55 jobs Startup environment | 47 jobs Flex vacation | 41 jobs Competitive pay | 37 jobs Salary bonus | 34 jobs Equity / stock options | 27 jobs Parental leave | 23 jobs 401(k) matching | 21 jobs Conferences | 21 jobs Insurance | 19 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 16 jobs Medical leave | 11 jobs Home office stipend | 9 jobs Signing bonus | 7 jobs Fitness / gym | 6 jobs Yoga | 6 jobs Wellness | 5 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Security Specialist in the InfoSec/Cyber Security field typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual achievements. Additional remuneration might include benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and sometimes equity in the company.

The composition can vary based on several factors: - Region: Salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. - Industry: Financial services and technology companies often offer higher salaries compared to other sectors due to the critical nature of security in these industries. - Company Size: Larger companies may offer more comprehensive benefits and bonuses, while startups might offer equity as part of the compensation package.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from the position of a Security Specialist, consider the following steps: - Advanced Certifications: Obtaining advanced certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) can enhance your qualifications and make you eligible for higher-paying roles. - Specialization: Developing expertise in niche areas like cloud security, penetration testing, or threat intelligence can make you more valuable to employers. - Leadership Roles: Transitioning into managerial or leadership positions, such as a Security Manager or Director of Security, can significantly increase your earning potential. - Networking and Professional Development: Engaging in professional networks and attending industry conferences can open up opportunities for higher-paying positions.

Educational Requirements

Most Security Specialist roles require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cyber Security. Some positions may prefer or require a master's degree, especially for more senior roles. Relevant coursework typically includes network security, cryptography, and risk management.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the InfoSec field and can significantly enhance your career prospects. Some common and beneficial certifications include: - Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) - CompTIA Security+ - Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

These certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate to employers.

Required Experience

The typical experience required for a Security Specialist role ranges from 3 to 5 years in a related field. This experience often includes hands-on work in network security, incident response, and vulnerability assessment. Employers look for candidates who have a proven track record of managing security systems and responding to security incidents effectively.

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