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Cyber Incident Response Specialist I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Incident Response Specialist I in the United States is $79,406 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,141
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,579 to $83,978
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,363
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cyber Incident Response Specialist I Salaries

A Cyber Incident Response Specialist I'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 Specialist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber Incident Response Specialist I'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 I (0-2 years): $79,406
  • Cyber Incident Response Specialist II (2-4 years): $93,160
  • Cyber Incident Response Specialist III (4-7 years): $126,637
  • Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV (7+ years): $142,479
  • Cyber Incident Response Specialist V (7-10 years): $164,383
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cyber Incident Response Specialist I0-2 years$79,406
Cyber Incident Response Specialist II2-4 years$93,160
Cyber Incident Response Specialist III4-7 years$126,637
Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV7+ years$142,479
Cyber Incident Response Specialist V7-10 years$164,383
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How Do Cyber Incident Response Specialist Is 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 Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $87,918.
  • California: $87,585.
  • Massachusetts: $86,418.

Top Paying Cities for Cyber Incident Response Specialist I

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: $100,155
  • San Francisco: $99,058
  • Oakland: $96,971

What Skills Can Increase a Cyber Incident Response Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.67% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SIEM (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Security information and event management is a field within the field of computer security, where software products and services combine security information management and security event management.
  • Network Security (Mentioned in 1.69% Job Postings): Network security consists of the policies and practices adopted to prevent and monitor unauthorized access, misuse, modification, or denial of a computer network and network-accessible resources. Network security involves the authorization of access to data in a network, which is controlled by the network administrator. Users choose or are assigned an ID and password or other authenticating information that allows them access to information and programs within their authority. Network security covers a variety of computer networks, both public and private, that are used in everyday jobs; conducting transactions and communications among businesses, government agencies and individuals. Networks can be private, such as within a company, and others which might be open to public access. Network security is involved in organizations, enterprises, and other types of institutions. It does as its title explains: It secures the network, as well as protecting and overseeing operations being done. The most common and simple way of protecting a network resource is by assigning it a unique name and a corresponding password.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.67%
SIEM 2.1%
Network Security 1.69%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Cyber Incident Response Specialist I's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $84,964
7%
Commitment $84,170
6%
Coordination $82,582
4%
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Cyber Incident Response Specialist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cyber Incident Response Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,890. While startup companies pay approximate $75,199.

Cyber Incident Response Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,199
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,532
Established 501~5000 $85,839
Enterprise 5000+ $88,890

Cyber Incident Response Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cyber Incident Response Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Cyber Incident Response Specialist positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Incident Response Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cyber Incident Response Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$87,347$42.010%
Biotechnology$87,347$42.010%
Business Services$87,347$42.010%
Chemicals$87,347$42.010%
Construction$87,347$42.010%

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

Understanding how a Cyber Incident Response Specialist I'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 August 01, 2026
$72,579
Average $79,406/year
$83,978
$6,048
Average $6,617/month
$6,998
$1,396
Average $1,527/week
$1,615
$35
Average $38/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,978 $6,998 $1,615 $40
Average $79,406 $6,617 $1,527 $38
25th Percentile $72,579 $6,048 $1,396 $35

Cyber Incident Response Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Cyber Incident Response Specialist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cyber Incident Response Specialist I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Cyber Incident Response Specialist II $93,160 17%
Incident Response Manager $122,646 54%

Most common benefits for Cyber Incident Response Specialist I

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

Common company salaries for Cyber Incident Response Specialist I

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

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FAQ about Cyber Incident Response Specialist I

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

A Cyber Incident Response Specialist I'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 Specialist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cyber Incident Response Specialist I is $100,155.

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

The highest pay for Cyber Incident Response Specialist I is $88,141.

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

The lowest pay for Cyber Incident Response Specialist I is $66,363.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cyber Incident Response Specialist I?

Investigates, reports, and responds to detected cyber incidents. Maintains system cybersecurity monitoring operations, and performs cyber incident triage to determine scope, urgency, and potential impact of the incident. Identifies the specific vulnerability and makes recommendations for remediation. Proactively searches for threats using a variety of Computer Network Defense (CND) tools, including intrusion detection system alerts, firewall and network traffic logs, and host system logs. Documents all activities that occurred during the incident using established methodologies and procedures. Conducts a root cause analysis for each incident to define follow-up action items and to make recommendations to stakeholders. Develops and maintains thorough, up-to-date knowledge of cybersecurity threats and incident response best practices. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Cyber Incident Response Specialist I roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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