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

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for security operations center operator in Virginia is $19.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $21.20 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 Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 84% Full Time, and 12% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,891 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

Security Operations Center Analyst

Coalfire Federal

Arlington, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

About Coalfire


Coalfire Federal is a market leading cybersecurity consultancy firm that provides independent and tailored advice, assessments, technical testing and a full suite of cyber engineering services to Federal agency customers. Coalfire Federal along with its parent company, Coalfire, has an unparalleled client list with deep customer relationships with leading cloud and technology providers including Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Google and Oracle and Federal agencies. Coalfire has been a cybersecurity thought leader for over 20 years and has offices throughout the United States and Europe and is committed to making the world a safer place by solving our clients’ toughest security challenges.

But that’s not who we are – that’s just what we do.


We are thought leaders, consultants, and cybersecurity experts, but above all else, we are a team of passionate problem-solvers who are hungry to learn, grow, and make a difference.


We’re currently seeking a skilled SOC Analyst with an active Secret or Top Secret clearance to support our on-site team in Crystal City (Arlington, VA), or in Denver, Colorado.


Location Details

This is a full time on site position with our Coalfire Federal team supporting a government customer.

  • Open to local candidates in the DMV reporting to our in person team in Arlington, Virginia.
  • Also open to local candidates residing in Denver, Colorado to report to on client site location in CO.


Summary

The SOC Analyst will be responsible for assisting with the vulnerability management program and maintaining the vulnerability scanning tool, conducting incident response to include contributing to process improvement, and assist with monitoring existing alerts and security dashboards


What you'll do

  • Monitors and analyzes for potential threat activity.
  • Provides real-time alerting and monitoring by capturing, indexing, and correlating data in a searchable repository to generate graphs, reports, alerts and visualizations. Provides metrics, diagnoses security problems.
  • Provides engineering support, operations, and maintenance of security tools.
  • Utilizes Security, Information, and Event Monitoring (SIEM) tools to identify security events and incidents to evaluate the effectiveness of current security measures.
  • Maintains Tenable Security Center administrator responsibilities, routine maintenance of the front end including but not limited to user accounts, scan polices, and reports.
  • Conducts daily and ad-hoc vulnerability scanning on networks and systems.
  • Prepares reports of metrics for vulnerability management that is briefed to senior leadership to convey network security status.
  • Participates and contributes to weekly meetings with O&M team to discuss vulnerability patch management status.
  • Tracks, maintains, and verifies findings. Promote timely remediation before due date and/or work with stakeholders on extension request.
  • Conducts DISA STIG baseline configuration scanning of hardware and network devices and manually reviews CAT I and CAT II items that cannot be checked via automated scan.
  • Monitors incoming events and maintain Audit Log Management using Splunk Tool.
  • Validates hardware and software inventory for a portfolio of systems.
  • Uses advanced analytic tools to determine presence of emerging threat patterns and vulnerabilities.
  • Utilizes in-depth operational and technical knowledge of security concepts to provide technical support in the areas of vulnerability assessment, risk assessment, network security, product evaluation, and security implementation.
  • Provides technical evaluations of customer systems and assists with making security improvements.
  • Conducts product evaluations, and recommends products, technologies and upgrades to improve the customer’s security posture.
  • Conducts testing and audit log reviews.


In addition to the duties listed above, utilizes the following cyber tools or equivalents:

• Splunk Enterprise Security

• Q-Audit ICS-500-27 Splunk application

• Tenable Nessus Security Center

• Cylance

• Extrahop

• Burp Suite


Education

Completed Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, preferably in an IT related field.


Clearance / Suitability

An active Secret or Top Secret clearance is required.


Certifications

One or more of the following: CISSP, CISA, CISM, Security+, CAP


Years of Experience

  • At least five (5) years of information technology, cybersecurity experience for a consulting organization, including skills and responsibilities relative to the SOC role


Bonus Points

  • Previous DOJ experience
  • Military experience


Why you'll want to join us


Our people make Coalfire Federal great. We work together on interesting things and achieve exceptional results. We act as trusted advisors to our customers and are committed to client-focused innovation as well as innovation in the industries that we serve.

Coalfire offers our people the chance to grow professionally with colleagues they like and respect while tackling challenges that stretch their minds and expand their skill sets. Regardless of location, you’ll experience a company that prioritizes connection and wellbeing and be part of a team where people care about each other and our communities. You’ll have opportunities to join employee resource groups, participate in in-person and virtual events, and more.

You’ll enjoy competitive perks and benefits to support you and your family, like paid parental leave, flexible time off, certification and training reimbursement, digital mental health and wellbeing support memberships, and comprehensive insurance options.


Coalfire is an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.


Salary Range and Description : 96,404.00 - 154,247.00 USD Annual

The salary range listed is a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role based on national salary averages. The actual salary offer to the successful candidate will be based on job-related education, geographic location, training, licensure and certifications and other factors. You may also be eligible to participate in annual incentive, commission, and/or recognition programs.

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