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Cyber Incident Response Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Cyber Incident Response Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Incident Response Director in the United States is $184,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $89.

However, a Cyber Incident Response Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $197,974
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $171,185 to $191,648
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $158,880
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cyber Incident Response Director Salaries

A Cyber Incident Response Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cyber Incident Response Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber Incident Response Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV (7+ years): $142,482
  • Cyber Incident Response Specialist V (7-10 years): $164,376
  • Cyber Incident Response Manager (10+ years): $138,204
  • Cyber Incident Response Senior Manager (10+ years): $167,472
  • Cyber Incident Response Director (10+ years): $184,700
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV7+ years$142,482
Cyber Incident Response Specialist V7-10 years$164,376
Cyber Incident Response Manager10+ years$138,204
Cyber Incident Response Senior Manager10+ years$167,472
Cyber Incident Response Director10+ years$184,700
View as Graph

How Do Cyber Incident Response Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Cyber Incident Response Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $204,500.
  • California: $203,724.
  • Massachusetts: $201,009.

Top Paying Cities for Cyber Incident Response Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $232,962
  • San Francisco: $230,411
  • Oakland: $225,556

Cyber Incident Response Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cyber Incident Response Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $206,410. While startup companies pay approximate $174,602.

Cyber Incident Response Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $174,602
Growth Stage 51~500 $184,659
Established 501~5000 $199,315
Enterprise 5000+ $206,410

Cyber Incident Response Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cyber Incident Response Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Cyber Incident Response Director positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Incident Response Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cyber Incident Response Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$193,935$93.05%
Business Services$193,935$93.05%
Construction$193,935$93.05%
Energy & Utilities$193,935$93.05%
Healthcare$193,935$93.05%

Cyber Incident Response Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cyber Incident Response Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$171,185
Average $184,700/year
$191,648
$14,265
Average $15,392/month
$15,971
$3,292
Average $3,552/week
$3,686
$82
Average $89/hour
$92
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $191,648 $15,971 $3,686 $92
Average $184,700 $15,392 $3,552 $89
25th Percentile $171,185 $14,265 $3,292 $82

Most common benefits for Cyber Incident Response Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Cyber Incident Response Director

Here are companies hiring for Cyber Incident Response Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cyber Incident Response Director

1. Where can a Cyber Incident Response Director earn the most?

A Cyber Incident Response Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Cyber Incident Response Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cyber Incident Response Director is $232,962.

2. What is the highest pay for Cyber Incident Response Director?

The highest pay for Cyber Incident Response Director is $197,974.

3. What is the lowest pay for Cyber Incident Response Director?

The lowest pay for Cyber Incident Response Director is $158,880.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cyber Incident Response Director?

Directs the team responsible for analyzing and responding to cyber incidents. Oversees all aspects of technical incident response from initiation to conclusion. Responsible for the creation and implementation of the organization's cyber incident response strategy. Designs and develops cyber incident response policies and procedures using established methodologies and industry best practices. Reviews and analyzes all response activities and reports related to cyber incidents and makes recommendations to eliminate risks. Collaborates with stakeholders to establish and ensure consistent response practices and prioritization of security events. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Cyber Incident Response Director?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Cyber Incident Response Director roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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