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Cyber Incident Response Specialist II Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Incident Response Specialist II in the United States is $93,160 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $107,857
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,671 to $100,853
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,032
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 II Salaries

A Cyber Incident Response Specialist II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber Incident Response Specialist II'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
View as Graph

How Do Cyber Incident Response Specialist IIs 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $103,147.
  • California: $102,755.
  • Massachusetts: $101,386.

Top Paying Cities for Cyber Incident Response Specialist II

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: $117,503
  • San Francisco: $116,216
  • Oakland: $113,767

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 10.07% 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 2.15% 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.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.07%
SIEM 2.15%
Linux 1.46%
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 II's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $96,886
4%
Insight $95,955
3%
Teamwork $95,023
2%
Get Latest Data

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

Cyber Incident Response Specialist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $104,287. While startup companies pay approximate $88,225.

Cyber Incident Response Specialist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $88,225
Growth Stage 51~500 $93,308
Established 501~5000 $100,708
Enterprise 5000+ $104,287

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

For Cyber Incident Response Specialist II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 37% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Cyber Incident Response Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Incident Response Specialist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cyber Incident Response Specialist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$107,134$52.015%
Insurance$104,339$50.012%
Biotechnology$102,476$49.010%
Financial Services$102,476$49.010%
Energy & Utilities$100,613$48.08%

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

Understanding how a Cyber Incident Response Specialist II'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
$83,671
Average $93,160/year
$100,853
$6,973
Average $7,763/month
$8,404
$1,609
Average $1,792/week
$1,939
$40
Average $45/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $100,853 $8,404 $1,939 $48
Average $93,160 $7,763 $1,792 $45
25th Percentile $83,671 $6,973 $1,609 $40

Cyber Incident Response Specialist II Salary Growth & Career Path

Cyber Incident Response Specialist II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cyber Incident Response Specialist II, 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 III $126,637 36%
Incident Response Manager $122,646 32%

Most common benefits for Cyber Incident Response Specialist II

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

Common company salaries for Cyber Incident Response Specialist II

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

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FAQ about Cyber Incident Response Specialist II

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

A Cyber Incident Response Specialist II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cyber Incident Response Specialist II is $117,503.

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

The highest pay for Cyber Incident Response Specialist II is $107,857.

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

The lowest pay for Cyber Incident Response Specialist II is $75,032.

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

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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Cyber Incident Response Specialist II roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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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