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VP of Information Security Salary in the United States

How much does a VP of Information Security make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a VP of Information Security in the United States is $253,165 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $122.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $293,294
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $237,373 to $274,170
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $222,995
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence VP of Information Security Salaries

A VP of Information Security'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects VP of Information Security Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a VP of Information Security'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): $185,568
  • Information Security Director (5+ years): $208,843
  • VP of Information Security (5+ years): $253,165
  • SVP of Information Security (5+ years): $308,789
  • Chief Information Security Officer (5+ years): $385,681
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Information Security Senior Manager5+ years$185,568
Information Security Director5+ years$208,843
VP of Information Security5+ years$253,165
SVP of Information Security5+ years$308,789
Chief Information Security Officer5+ years$385,681
View as Graph

How Do VP of Information Securities 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 VP of Information Securities. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $280,304.
  • California: $279,241.
  • Massachusetts: $275,519.

Top Paying Cities for VP of Information Security

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: $319,317
  • San Francisco: $315,821
  • Oakland: $309,165

What Skills Can Increase a VP of Information Security's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 6.45% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Information Governance (Mentioned in 2.44% Job Postings): Information governance, or IG, is the management of information at an organization. Information governance balances the use and security of information. Information governance helps with legal compliance, operational transparency, and reducing expenditures associated with legal discovery. An organization can establish a consistent and logical framework for employees to handle data through their information governance policies and procedures. These policies guide proper behavior regarding how organizations and their employees handle electronically stored information (ESI). Information governance encompasses more than traditional records management. It incorporates information security and protection, compliance, data governance, electronic discovery, risk management, privacy, data storage and archiving, knowledge management, business operations and management, audit, analytics, IT management, master data management, enterprise architecture, business intelligence, big data, data science, and finance.
  • Salesforce (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings): Designing and maintaining a cloud-based software that provides customer relationship management (CRM) service for a better experience.
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 6.45%
Information Governance 2.44%
Salesforce 1.54%
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 VP of Information Security's salary.

  • Maintaining Focus: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Salesforce: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Data Privacy: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Maintaining Focus $339,241
34%
Salesforce $326,583
29%
Data Privacy $308,861
22%
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VP of Information Security Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

VP of Information Security salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $283,404. While startup companies pay approximate $239,753.

VP of Information Security Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $239,753
Growth Stage 51~500 $253,567
Established 501~5000 $273,676
Enterprise 5000+ $283,404

VP of Information Security Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For VP of Information Security roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, VP of Information Security positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view VP of Information Security as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a VP of Information Security

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$329,114$158.030%
Software & Networking$303,798$146.020%
Internet$291,140$140.015%
Chemicals$278,482$134.010%
Pharmaceuticals$278,482$134.010%

How Education impacts an VP of Information Security's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many VP of Information Security enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an VP of Information Security with a Bachelor's Degree is between $244,232 and $258,180.

VP of Information Security Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for VP of Information Security
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 7.9%
Associates 4.9%
Bachelors 41.7%
Masters 40.9%
Doctorate 3.7%
View as Graph

VP of Information Security Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a VP of Information Security'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
$237,373
Average $253,165/year
$274,170
$19,781
Average $21,097/month
$22,848
$4,565
Average $4,869/week
$5,273
$114
Average $122/hour
$132
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $274,170 $22,848 $5,273 $132
Average $253,165 $21,097 $4,869 $122
25th Percentile $237,373 $19,781 $4,565 $114

VP of Information Security Salary Growth & Career Path

VP of Information Security

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Advancement

For a VP of Information Security, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the SVP of Information Security role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $308,789 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for VP of Information Security

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

Common company salaries for VP of Information Security

Here are companies hiring for VP of Information Security and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about VP of Information Security

1. Where can a VP of Information Security earn the most?

A VP of Information Security'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 VP of Information Security earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a VP of Information Security is $319,317.

2. What is the highest pay for VP of Information Security?

The highest pay for VP of Information Security is $293,294.

3. What is the lowest pay for VP of Information Security?

The lowest pay for VP of Information Security is $222,995.

4. What are the responsibilities of VP of Information Security?

Plans and leads all information security activities within an organization. Responsible for determining the organization's information security policies and strategies. 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 top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for VP of Information Security?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for VP of Information Security roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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