Neena Raj Jun 17, 2025

How to Answer “What Is Your Salary Expectation? (For CEH Professionals)

Salary expectation is a commonly asked question during job interviews. If you are attending a job interview after getting the CEH Certification, answering “What is Your Salary Expectation?” can be a tricky one.  You should answer that particular question based on your skills, certifications, and market knowledge.  

Getting a  Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certificate will enhance your earning potential in cybersecurity. If you are applying for a job role, Penetration Tester or Cybersecurity  Analyst with a CEH Certificate, you should be prepared to communicate about your salary expectations. The employer/ hiring manager asks questions about salary expectations to know

  • If your expectations align with their budget
  • If you are well aware of the job market value
  • How confident and realistic you are about your worth

Are you a CEH  professional preparing for a job interview? Let’s look into the effective ways to answer “What is Your Salary Expectation?”

How to Answer “What Is Your Salary Expectation?”- Tips For CEH Professionals

Let’s look into some of the best examples to answer “What is Your Salary Expectation?” based on the job level. 

For Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job Role:

If you are attending the interview for an entry-level job role, you should showcase your flexibility for career development. Having a CEH Certification will give you a competitive edge during entry-level cybersecurity job interviews. Follow the example given below while communicating your salary expectations.  

Example:

  • As a CEH-certified candidate starting my career in ethical hacking, I'm open to a competitive entry-level salary. I would expect something in the range of AED 9,000 to AED 11,000 monthly. However, I’m flexible depending on the growth and learning opportunities your company offers.

For Mid-Level Cybersecurity Job Role:

When you are attending the interview for a Mid-Level job position in cybersecurity, your experience and market-aligned salary expectations should reflect in your answer.

Example:

  • I have more than 3 years of hands-on experience in vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and incident response, backed by my CEH certification. I believe a fair salary range would be between AED 18,000 to AED 22,000 per month. I'm open to further discussion based on the scope of the role and benefits.

For Senior-Level Job Role in Cybersecurity

Give a strong justification, mentioning your expertise and certification value, while sitting for a Senior-level job role in cybersecurity. Check out the example given below.

Example:

  • “Given my 5+ years of experience in cybersecurity, I have developed in-depth knowledge in risk management. With CEH certification and experience working on high-risk assessments for enterprise networks, I’m targeting a salary of around AED 200,000 annually.”

More Constructive Ways to Communicate Your Salary Expectation

To give you more ideas, here are two more examples of answering “what is your salary expectation” with a touch of professionalism. 

The Employer-Focused Answer

Example:

  • “I’d like to learn more about the full responsibilities of the role and your expectations before discussing a number. I’m confident we can align on a compensation package that reflects my CEH certification and experience.”

The Range-Based Answer with Flexibility

Example:

  • “Based on my CEH certification, relevant project experience, and the industry standard, I’m aiming for a salary in the range of £45,000 to £55,000. However, I’m open to negotiation depending on the overall compensation structure and career growth opportunities.” 

Tips to Remember Before Answering “ What is Your Salary Expectation?”

Pro Tips:

  • Avoid answering with “I don’t know” or giving a number too low
  • Research salary benchmarks in your location
  • Mention CEH certification and your skills with confidence  
  • Be confident, realistic, and open to negotiation

Final Thoughts

The answer to salary expectations reflects your confidence in your ethical hacking skills. Your CEH certification adds significant value to your cybersecurity profile. So, give your salary expectation answer with clarity that shows employers you are fit to take the responsibility. You can also join soft skills training to enhance your communication skills for job interviews. GOOD LUCK!

Do you want to enhance your interpersonal skills for a job interview?

Start with Edoxi’s Soft Skills Course

Neena Raj is an expert trainer with 24 years of experience in enhancing organizational performance through HR, soft skills, and productivity training. Her areas of expertise include organizational behavior and team dynamics, cross-cultural communication, performance management systems, and life coaching and development.

Neena has an MBA in Sales and Marketing from Loyola College, a Diploma in Psychological Counselling, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology. She is also a Certified NLP Trainer and holds several other certifications, including Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP), Certified Human Resource Manager (CHRM) and Total Quality Management Certification.

Her specialisations include public speaking, emotional intelligence training, Time Management, Leadership Skills and UAE labour law. Neena has delivered public speaking training for many of Dubai’s leading companies and government entities, including the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Emirates Airlines, DP World and Dubai International Hotel.

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