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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cybersecurity Expert in California is $192,804 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.
However, a Cybersecurity Expert's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Cybersecurity Expert Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $202,012 | $16,834 | $3,885 | $97 |
| Average | $192,804 | $16,067 | $3,708 | $93 |
| 25th Percentile | $181,938 | $15,161 | $3,499 | $87 |
ManTech International - WOLF TRAP, VA
SimVentions, Inc - LA PLATA, MD
SimVentions, Inc - PORT ROYAL, VA
SimVentions, Inc - PORT TOBACCO, MD
A Cybersecurity Expert'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cybersecurity Expert'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Expert | $143,321 |
| Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Expert | $165,496 |
| Cybersecu... Level Cybersecurity Expert | $195,069 |
| Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Expert | $228,005 |
| Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Expert | $140,954 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Cybersecurity Experts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Cybersecurity Expert roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Cybersecurity Expert positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cybersecurity Expert as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $202,445 | $97.0 | 5% |
| Business Services | $202,445 | $97.0 | 5% |
| Construction | $202,445 | $97.0 | 5% |
| Energy & Utilities | $202,445 | $97.0 | 5% |
| Healthcare | $202,445 | $97.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Cybersecurity Expert'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $202,012 | $16,834 | $3,885 | $97 |
| Average | $192,804 | $16,067 | $3,708 | $93 |
| 25th Percentile | $181,938 | $15,161 | $3,499 | $87 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cybersecurity Expert job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SimVentions, Inc
DENTSVILLE, MD
SimVentions, Inc | DENTSVILLE, MD
SimVentions, Inc. (Glassdoor 4.6) seeks a Cybersecurity Engineer to safeguard critical Defense & Aerospace systems within our IT & Cybersecurity team. You ... more
11 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
MOUNT VICTORIA, MD
SimVentions, Inc | MOUNT VICTORIA, MD
SimVentions, Inc. (Glassdoor 4.6) seeks a Cybersecurity Engineer to safeguard critical Defense & Aerospace systems within our IT & Cybersecurity team. You ... more
11 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
CHARLOTTE HALL, MD
SimVentions, Inc | CHARLOTTE HALL, MD
SimVentions, Inc. (Glassdoor 4.6) seeks a Cybersecurity Engineer to safeguard critical Defense & Aerospace systems within our IT & Cybersecurity team. You ... more
11 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
COLONIAL BEACH, VA
SimVentions, Inc | COLONIAL BEACH, VA
SimVentions, Inc. (Glassdoor 4.6) seeks a Cybersecurity Engineer to safeguard critical Defense & Aerospace systems within our IT & Cybersecurity team. You ... more
11 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
DAHLGREN, VA
SimVentions, Inc | DAHLGREN, VA
SimVentions, Inc. (Glassdoor 4.6) seeks a Cybersecurity Engineer to safeguard critical Defense & Aerospace systems within our IT & Cybersecurity team. You ... more
11 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
KING GEORGE, VA
SimVentions, Inc | KING GEORGE, VA
SimVentions, Inc. (Glassdoor 4.6) seeks a Cybersecurity Engineer to safeguard critical Defense & Aerospace systems within our IT & Cybersecurity team. You ... more
11 Days Ago
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