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Hourly Wage for VP of Security Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for VP of Security?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a VP of Security in the United States is $105, which translates to an annual salary of about $218,462.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $96 to $114 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence VP of Security Salaries

A VP of 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 Security Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a VP of 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:

  • Security Supervisor, Senior (3-5 years): $89,647
  • Security Manager (5+ years): $104,946
  • Security Senior Manager (5+ years): $150,607
  • Security Director (5+ years): $168,291
  • VP of Security (5+ years): $218,462
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Security Supervisor, Senior3-5 years$89,647
Security Manager5+ years$104,946
Security Senior Manager5+ years$150,607
Security Director5+ years$168,291
VP of Security5+ years$218,462
View as Graph

How Do VP of 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 Securities. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $241,881.
  • California: $240,964.
  • Massachusetts: $237,752.

Top Paying Cities for VP of 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: $275,546
  • San Francisco: $272,529
  • Oakland: $266,786

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 8.8% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • EHS (Mentioned in 3.47% Job Postings): Environment, health and safety, EHS is an acronym for the set that studies and implements the practical aspects of protecting the environment and maintaining health and safety at occupation.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 8.8%
EHS 3.47%
Business Administration 1.6%
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 Security's salary.

  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Incident Response: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Flexibility $255,601
17%
Incident Response $253,416
16%
Team Management $253,416
16%
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VP of Security Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

VP of Security salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $244,556. While startup companies pay approximate $206,888.

VP of Security Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $206,888
Growth Stage 51~500 $218,809
Established 501~5000 $236,162
Enterprise 5000+ $244,556

VP of Security Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For VP of Security roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, VP of Security positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view VP of Security as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a VP of Security

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$273,078$131.025%
Aerospace & Defense$262,154$126.020%
Business Services$251,231$121.015%
Construction$240,308$116.010%
Insurance$240,308$116.010%

How Education impacts an VP of Security's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many VP of 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 Security with a Bachelor's Degree is between $217,808 and $237,251.

VP of Security Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for VP of Security
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.6%
High School 10.7%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 35.7%
Masters 42.9%
Doctorate 3.6%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a VP of 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
$198,967
Average $218,462/year
$237,276
$16,581
Average $18,205/month
$19,773
$3,826
Average $4,201/week
$4,563
$96
Average $105/hour
$114
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $237,276 $19,773 $4,563 $114
Average $218,462 $18,205 $4,201 $105
25th Percentile $198,967 $16,581 $3,826 $96

Most common benefits for VP of Security

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

Common company salaries for VP of Security

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

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FAQ about VP of Security

1. What are the responsibilities of VP of Security?

Develops the overall security strategy, policies, and standards to ensure the physical safety of all visitors, employees, or customers to the organization's facilities and the security of property and assets. Establishes auditing and inspection protocols to assess, identify, and mitigate any security vulnerabilities or gaps. Plans and prepares for crisis response, disaster recovery, evacuation, workplace violence, and other emergency events. Assesses systems, alarms, and other physical security measures for effectiveness. Designs and delivers company education programs on security policies and topics to ensure staff is adequately informed and equipped to manage potential security issues. Participates in local, state, provincial, or federal working or advisory groups to keep abreast of all security-related information, directives, and events. Leads and directs major investigations and critical event responses in coordination with law enforcement and other officials or agencies. Possess broad and deep knowledge of law enforcement methods, tactics, and procedures. Requires a bachelor's degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, security. 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.

2. What are the skills of VP of Security

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Leadership: Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.

2.)

EHS: Environment, health and safety, EHS is an acronym for the set that studies and implements the practical aspects of protecting the environment and maintaining health and safety at occupation.

3.)

Business Administration: It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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