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Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV in the United States is $142,479 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $159,094
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $134,591 to $151,176
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $127,409
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 IV Salaries

A Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV'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 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
  • Cyber Incident Response Manager (10+ years): $138,203
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Cyber Incident Response Manager10+ years$138,203
View as Graph

How Do Cyber Incident Response Specialist IVs 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $157,753.
  • California: $157,154.
  • Massachusetts: $155,060.

Top Paying Cities for Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV

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: $179,709
  • San Francisco: $177,741
  • Oakland: $173,995

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

Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $159,497. While startup companies pay approximate $134,931.

Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $134,931
Growth Stage 51~500 $142,705
Established 501~5000 $154,023
Enterprise 5000+ $159,497

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

For Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Cyber Incident Response Specialist positions in Internet or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$170,975$82.020%
Aerospace & Defense$163,851$79.015%
Software & Networking$163,851$79.015%
Construction$156,727$75.010%
Financial Services$156,727$75.010%

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

Understanding how a Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV'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
$134,591
Average $142,479/year
$151,176
$11,216
Average $11,873/month
$12,598
$2,588
Average $2,740/week
$2,907
$65
Average $68/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,176 $12,598 $2,907 $73
Average $142,479 $11,873 $2,740 $68
25th Percentile $134,591 $11,216 $2,588 $65

Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV, 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 V $164,383 15%
Incident Response Manager $122,646 -14%

Most common benefits for Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV

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

Common company salaries for Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV

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

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FAQ about Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV

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

A Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV is $179,709.

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

The highest pay for Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV is $159,094.

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

The lowest pay for Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV is $127,409.

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

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Cyber Incident Response Specialist IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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