Salary AI Book a Demo

Lead Software Security Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Software Security Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Software Security Engineer in the United States is $103,591 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Lead Software Security Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,732
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,068 to $112,563
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,398
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Software Security Engineer Salaries

A Lead Software Security Engineer'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 Lead Software Security Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Software Security Engineer'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $105,575
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $130,822
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $151,067
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $178,064
  • Expert (over 8 years): $208,129
Levels Salary
Lead Soft... Level Lead Software Security Engineer$105,575
Cyber Sec... Level Lead Software Security Engineer$130,822
Cyber Sec... Level Lead Software Security Engineer$151,067
Cyber Sec... Level Lead Software Security Engineer$178,064
Cyber Sec... Level Lead Software Security Engineer$208,129
View as Graph

How Do Lead Software Security Engineer 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 Lead Software Security Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $114,696.
  • California: $114,261.
  • Massachusetts: $112,738.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Software Security Engineers

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: $130,659
  • San Francisco: $129,229
  • Oakland: $126,505

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Software Security Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.87% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Security Architecture (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Security architecture forms the foundation of a good cyber security strategy. It is a type of security design composed of multiple components, including the tools, processes, and technologies used to protect your business from external threats.
  • Application Security (Mentioned in 1.72% Job Postings): Application security is the process of developing, adding, and testing security features within applications to prevent security vulnerabilities against threats such as unauthorized access and modification.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.87%
Security Architecture 2.06%
Application Security 1.72%
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 Lead Software Security Engineer's salary.

  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Container $107,735
4%
Planning $107,735
4%
Commitment $106,699
3%
Get Latest Data

Lead Software Security Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Software Security Engineer 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 Internet and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Lead Software Security Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Software Security Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Software Security Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$126,381$61.022%
Biotechnology$124,309$60.020%
Aerospace & Defense$116,022$56.012%
Insurance$113,950$55.010%
Energy & Utilities$111,878$54.08%

Lead Software Security Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Software Security Engineer'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 September 01, 2026
$94,068
Average $103,591/year
$112,563
$7,839
Average $8,633/month
$9,380
$1,809
Average $1,992/week
$2,165
$45
Average $50/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $112,563 $9,380 $2,165 $54
Average $103,591 $8,633 $1,992 $50
25th Percentile $94,068 $7,839 $1,809 $45

Most common benefits for Lead Software Security Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Lead Software Security Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Lead Software Security Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Lead Software Security Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Software Security Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Lead Software Security Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Software Security Engineer?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Software Security Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 22% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst