Chief Information Security Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief Information Security Officer make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Information Security Officer in the United States is $385,552 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $185.

However, a Chief Information Security Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $471,106
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $348,704 to $430,334
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $315,156
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View as table View as graph 25% $348,704 10% $315,156 90% $471,106 75% $430,334 $385,552 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Chief Information Security Officer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $430,334 $35,861 $8,276 $207
Average $385,552 $32,129 $7,414 $185
25th Percentile $348,704 $29,059 $6,706 $168
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Chief Information Security Officer

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Chief Information Security Officer

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Chief Information Security Officer Growth

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Chief Information Officer

Confidential - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Chief Information Security Officer Salaries

A Chief Information Security Officer'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 Chief Information Security Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Information Security Officer'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:

  • Information Security Senior Manager (5+ years): $185,554
  • Information Security Director (5+ years): $208,843
  • VP of Information Security (5+ years): $253,129
  • SVP of Information Security (5+ years): $308,725
  • Chief Information Security Officer (5+ years): $385,552
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Information Security Senior Manager5+ years$185,554
Information Security Director5+ years$208,843
VP of Information Security5+ years$253,129
SVP of Information Security5+ years$308,725
Chief Information Security Officer5+ years$385,552
$185,554 Informati...
$208,843 Informati...
$253,129 VP of Inf...
$308,725 SVP of In...
$385,552 Chief Inf...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Chief Information Security Officers

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: $486,297
  • San Francisco: $480,972
  • Oakland: $470,836

Chief Information Security Officer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Information Security Officer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $431,237. While startup companies pay approximate $364,698.

Chief Information Security Officer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$364,698
Growth Stage51~500$385,725
Established501~5000$416,441
Enterprise5000+$431,237

Chief Information Security Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Information Security Officer 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 Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Chief Information Security Officer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Information Security Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief Information Security Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$462,662$222.020%
Biotechnology$462,662$222.020%
Financial Services$462,662$222.020%
Healthcare$462,662$222.020%
Software & Networking$462,662$222.020%

Chief Information Security Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Information Security Officer'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$348,704
Average $385,552/year
$430,334
$29,059
Average $32,129/month
$35,861
$6,706
Average $7,414/week
$8,276
$168
Average $185/hour
$207
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $430,334 $35,861 $8,276 $207
Average $385,552 $32,129 $7,414 $185
25th Percentile $348,704 $29,059 $6,706 $168

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Most common benefits for Chief Information Security Officer

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FAQ about Chief Information Security Officer

1. Where can a Chief Information Security Officer earn the most?

A Chief Information Security Officer'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 Chief Information Security Officer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief Information Security Officer is $486,297.

2. What is the highest pay for Chief Information Security Officer?

The highest pay for Chief Information Security Officer is $471,106.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chief Information Security Officer?

The lowest pay for Chief Information Security Officer is $315,156.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief Information Security Officer?

Provides the overall leadership, strategy, design, and execution of an organization's information security function. Responsible for determining the organization's information security policies, strategies, and standards. Provides leadership and oversight to the development, implementation, and enforcement of information security standards and procedures. Reviews risk evaluations, audits, and security incident investigations and presents information to senior leadership as needed. Stays current on the latest information security standards and best practices. Ensures compliance with data protection guidelines and applicable laws. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Top level or C level management. Responsible for the development of functional or business unit strategy for the entire organization. Defines corporate vision and strategy establishes company direction and focus. Executes multiple high impact initiatives to achieve overall corporate goals.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief Information Security Officer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Information Security Officer 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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