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Cyber Security Architect III Salary in the United States

How much does a Cyber Security Architect III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Security Architect III in the United States is $154,269 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

However, a Cyber Security Architect III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $171,874
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $145,426 to $163,484
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $137,375
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cyber Security Architect III Salaries

A Cyber Security Architect III'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 Security Architect III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber Security Architect III'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 Security Architect I (2-4 years): $107,821
  • Cyber Security Architect II (4-7 years): $133,598
  • Cyber Security Architect III (7+ years): $154,269
  • Cyber Security Architect IV (7-10 years): $181,835
  • Cyber Security Architect V (10-12 years): $212,537
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cyber Security Architect I2-4 years$107,821
Cyber Security Architect II4-7 years$133,598
Cyber Security Architect III7+ years$154,269
Cyber Security Architect IV7-10 years$181,835
Cyber Security Architect V10-12 years$212,537
View as Graph

How Do Cyber Security Architect IIIs 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 Security Architect IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $170,807.
  • California: $170,159.
  • Massachusetts: $167,891.

Top Paying Cities for Cyber Security Architect III

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: $194,579
  • San Francisco: $192,449
  • Oakland: $188,393

What Skills Can Increase a Cyber Security Architect III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.59% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Security Systems (Mentioned in 2.56% Job Postings): Security and protection system, any of various means or devices designed to guard persons and property against a broad range of hazards, including crime, fire, accidents, espionage, sabotage, subversion, and attack.
  • Identity and Access Management (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): (IAM) ensures that the right people and job roles in your organization (identities) can access the tools they need to do their jobs. It enables your organization to manage employee apps without logging into each app as an administrator.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.59%
Security Systems 2.56%
Identity and Access Management 1.86%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Cyber Security Architect III's salary.

  • Team Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Solution Design: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Enterprise Architecture: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Operations $165,068
7%
Solution Design $163,525
6%
Enterprise Architecture $161,982
5%
Get Latest Data

Cyber Security Architect III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cyber Security Architect III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $172,695. While startup companies pay approximate $146,096.

Cyber Security Architect III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $146,096
Growth Stage 51~500 $154,514
Established 501~5000 $166,768
Enterprise 5000+ $172,695

Cyber Security Architect III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cyber Security Architect III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Cyber Security Architect positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Security Architect III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cyber Security Architect III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$185,123$89.020%
Energy & Utilities$182,037$88.018%
Internet$178,952$86.016%
Biotechnology$177,409$85.015%
Healthcare$175,867$85.014%

Cyber Security Architect III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cyber Security Architect III'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
$145,426
Average $154,269/year
$163,484
$12,119
Average $12,856/month
$13,624
$2,797
Average $2,967/week
$3,144
$70
Average $74/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $163,484 $13,624 $3,144 $79
Average $154,269 $12,856 $2,967 $74
25th Percentile $145,426 $12,119 $2,797 $70

Cyber Security Architect III Salary Growth & Career Path

Cyber Security Architect III

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Advancement

For a Cyber Security Architect III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Cyber Security Architect IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $181,835 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Cyber Security Architect III

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

Common company salaries for Cyber Security Architect III

Here are companies hiring for Cyber Security Architect III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cyber Security Architect III

1. Where can a Cyber Security Architect III earn the most?

A Cyber Security Architect III'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 Security Architect III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cyber Security Architect III is $194,579.

2. What is the highest pay for Cyber Security Architect III?

The highest pay for Cyber Security Architect III is $171,874.

3. What is the lowest pay for Cyber Security Architect III?

The lowest pay for Cyber Security Architect III is $137,375.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cyber Security Architect III?

Plans and designs security solutions and capabilities that enable the organization to identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover from cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Defines and develops security requirements using risk assessments, threat modeling, testing, and analysis of existing systems. Develops security integration plans to protect existing infrastructure and to incorporate future solutions. Creates action plans for policy creation and governance, system hardening, monitoring, incident response, disaster recovery, and emerging cybersecurity threats. Utilizes security information and event management (SEIM), data loss prevention (DLP), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and other tools in action plan designs. Reviews current architectures and systems to ensure consistency and compliance with the organization's guidelines, policies, and standards. Keeps abreast of the latest cyber threat information. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering. May require Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). May require Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). 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 Security Architect III?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Cyber Security Architect III 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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