What are the main factors that influence a Lead Software Security Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Lead Software Security Engineer's salary?

A Lead Software Security Engineer's salary grows with experience: a Lead Software Security Engineer (2-4 years)earns $116,909, a Cyber Security Architect II (4-7 years)earns $144,831, a Cyber Security Architect III (7+ years)earns $167,217, a Cyber Security Architect IV (7-10 years)earns $197,086, a Cyber Security Architect V (10-12 years)earns $230,358,

What are the highest paying states for a Lead Software Security Engineer?

Lead Software Security Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Lead Software Security Engineer roles are District of Columbia $114,717, California $114,282, Massachusetts $112,759. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Lead Software Security Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Lead Software Security Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Lead Software Engineer, Integration: $212,771; Lead Software Engineer IV: $176,919; Lead Platform Software Engineer: $173,050; Lead Software Engineer: $172,028; Embedded Software Engineer Lead: $150,060.

Lead Software Security Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Lead Software Security Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Software Security Engineer in District of Columbia is $114,717 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $133,600
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,191 to $124,601
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,608

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Lead Software Security Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$124,601	$10,383	$2,396	$60
Average	$114,717	$9,560	$2,206	$55
25th Percentile	$104,191	$8,683	$2,004	$50

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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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): $116,909
Early Career (1-2 years): $144,831
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $167,217
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $197,086
Expert (over 8 years): $230,358

Levels	Salary
Lead Soft... Level Lead Software Security Engineer	$116,909
Cyber Sec... Level Lead Software Security Engineer	$144,831
Cyber Sec... Level Lead Software Security Engineer	$167,217
Cyber Sec... Level Lead Software Security Engineer	$197,086
Cyber Sec... Level Lead Software Security Engineer	$230,358

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What Am I Worth?

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: $114,717.
California: $114,282.
Massachusetts: $112,759.

District of Columbia $114,717 California $114,282 Massachusetts $112,759 Washington $112,344 New Jersey $112,303 Alaska $112,158 Connecticut $110,728 New York $110,148

Hawaii $108,293 Rhode Island $107,423 Maryland $106,832 Minnesota $106,024 Colorado $105,713 Illinois $105,610 Oregon $105,216 Delaware $104,926

New Hampshire $104,743 Virginia $104,335 Pennsylvania $103,144 Nevada $102,543 North Dakota $102,346 Michigan $102,035 Wisconsin $101,921 Vermont $101,693

Texas $101,061 Maine $101,020 Arizona $100,958 Ohio $100,885 Georgia $99,932 Indiana $99,455 Wyoming $99,362 Utah $99,217

Iowa $99,155 Kansas $98,657 Louisiana $98,512 North Carolina $98,461 Missouri $98,440 Florida $98,036 Montana $97,818 Nebraska $97,611

Kentucky $97,497 South Carolina $97,083 Tennessee $96,824 Idaho $96,720 New Mexico $95,964 Oklahoma $95,798 Alabama $95,187 South Dakota $94,161

Arkansas $93,601 West Virginia $93,301 Mississippi $92,399

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:

Parcel Return Service: $114,717
Washington: $114,717
Naval Anacost Annex: $114,717

Parcel Return Service, DC $114,717 Washington, DC $114,717 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $114,717 Washington Navy Yard, DC $114,717

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 March 01, 2026

$104,191

Average $114,717/year

$124,601

$8,683

Average $9,560/month

$10,383

$2,004

Average $2,206/week

$2,396

$50

Average $55/hour

$60

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$124,601	$10,383	$2,396	$60
Average	$114,717	$9,560	$2,206	$55
25th Percentile	$104,191	$8,683	$2,004	$50

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