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Security Operations Center Operator Jobs in Illinois

Zachary Piper Solutions

SOC Lead

Virginia, IL · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Lead and manage a 24/7 Security Operations Center team, ensuring operational readiness and performance * Direct incident response activities, including detection, analysis, escalation, and resolution ...

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Security Operations Center Operator information

See Illinois salary details

$7

$19

$27

How much do security operations center operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for security operations center operator in Illinois is $19.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $20.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Security Operations Center Operator do?

As a security operations center operator, or SOC operator, you monitor a variety of technologies including access control, video surveillance, and alarm systems to provide security service and threat elimination for industrial, business, or residential customers. You respond to medical crises, safety incidents, natural disasters and other emergencies, and dispatch security officers, police, fire, EMS personnel, and other services as required. Your duties and responsibilities also include investigating incidents, escalating situations to appropriate parties in the SOC, and filing incident reports. In some roles, you are responsible for monitoring social media and other news and information channels to support threat identification.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Security Operations Center Operator?

To thrive as a Security Operations Center (SOC) Operator, you need a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, incident response, and network monitoring, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CEH. Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, intrusion detection systems, and ticketing platforms is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for identifying threats and collaborating with teams. These skills are essential to quickly detect, assess, and respond to security incidents, ensuring the organization's information assets remain protected.

What are some common challenges faced by Security Operations Center Operators, and how can they be managed?

SOC Operators often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of alerts, distinguishing false positives from genuine threats, and maintaining situational awareness during fast-paced incidents. Effective time management, continuous training on new threat vectors, and leveraging automation tools can help address these challenges. Collaborating closely with incident response teams and participating in regular drills also ensures readiness and improves overall team effectiveness.

What is the difference between Security Operations Center Operator vs Security Analyst?

AspectSecurity Operations Center OperatorSecurity Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP (preferred)CompTIA Security+, CISSP, GIAC certifications
Work EnvironmentMonitoring security systems in a SOC, responding to alertsAnalyzing security data, investigating incidents, reporting
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in cybersecurity firms, large enterprises, government agenciesUsed across industries for threat detection and risk assessment

Security Operations Center (SOC) Operators focus on real-time monitoring and initial response to security alerts, while Security Analysts perform in-depth analysis, investigation, and reporting. Both roles require similar certifications and often work within the same environment, but their responsibilities differ in scope and depth of analysis.

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Security Operations Center Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Security Operations Center Operator job openings in Illinois as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,967 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Cybersecurity Operations Director

Rock Island, IL • On-site

Pearl Technology
IT Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Pearl Technologyexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

The Cybersecurity Operations Director role combines a comprehensive understanding of information security with the management and coordination skills required to analyze and implement best security practices and proper risk management across the corporate landscape. 

  • Also responsible for monitoring, detecting, analyzing, mitigating, and responding to cyber threats against IT assets, networks, and information. 
  • The environment includes local area networks/wide area networks (LAN/WAN), commercial Internet connections, public facing websites, wireless, mobile/cellular, cloud, security devices, servers and workstations.
  • Take lead in performing security testing of applications, networks and infrastructures, including vulnerability assessments, penetration testing and manual testing techniques.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Lead and manage a 24x7x365 Security Operations Center providing technical oversight.
  • Lead staff to proactively identify, prevent and respond to security incidents.
  • Ensure incident identification, assessment, quantification, reporting, communication, mitigation and monitoring.
  • Ensure compliance to Service Level Agreements (SLA), process adherence and process improvisation to achieve operational objectives and mitigate threats.
  • Revise and develop processes to strengthen the current operational activities; review policies and recommend changes to improve governance.
  • Responsible for team management, personnel scheduling, overall use of resources and initiation of corrective action where required for Security Operations Center.
  • Perform threat management, threat modeling, identify threat vectors and develop use cases for security monitoring.
  • Creation of reports, dashboards, metrics for SOC operations and presentation to client.
  • Operate a hands-on role involving penetration testing and vulnerability assessment activities of complex applications, operating systems, wired and wireless networks, and mobile applications/devices.
  • Manage consulting engagements, with a focus on incident response and forensics. Provide both subject matter expertise and project management experience to serve as the “point person” for engagements.
  • Communicate security issues to a wide variety of internal and external “customers” to include technical teams, executives, risk groups, vendors and regulators.
  • Ensures that disaster recovery and business continuity plans are in place and tested on a regular basis.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct supervision of the Security Services department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Company policies, procedures, and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, promoting and training employees; planning, assigning, directing and approving work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and recommending salary adjustments.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in information technology or related field and combination of experience in the following areas:
    • 10+ years in security and/or risk assessment/management related field
    • Hands on experience with testing frameworks such as the PTES and OWASP
    • Applicable knowledge of Windows client/server, Unix/Linux systems, Mac OS X, VMware/Xen, and cloud technologies such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
    • In-depth knowledge of security concepts such as cyber-attacks and techniques, threat vectors, risk management, incident management etc.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Critical thinker and problem solver.
  • Experience in performing vendor management.
  • Detailed orientated with effective written and communication skills.

Certifications and Licenses:

  • CISSP, GIAC, CISSP, CEH, OSCP, or equivalent certifications a plus

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