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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Security Engineer in California is $143,228 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.
However, a Principal Security Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal Security Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $152,572 | $12,714 | $2,934 | $73 |
| Average | $143,228 | $11,936 | $2,754 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,893 | $10,658 | $2,459 | $61 |
Strong Network | Now Part Of Citrix. - San Ramon, CA
Hewlett Packard Enterprise - San Jose, CA
OneClick Smart Resume - San Mateo, CA
Dell - Morgan Hill, CA
A Principal 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Principal 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $90,008 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $109,240 |
| Principal... Level Principal Security Engineer | $146,423 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $163,786 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $180,964 |
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 Principal Security Engineers. 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 Principal Security Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Principal Security Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Security Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $214,842 | $103.0 | 50% |
Understanding how a Principal 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $152,572 | $12,714 | $2,934 | $73 |
| Average | $143,228 | $11,936 | $2,754 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,893 | $10,658 | $2,459 | $61 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Security Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Medium
San Francisco, CA
Medium | San Francisco, CA
Medium is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer in San Francisco to lead the design and implementation of AI security solutions. This role requires ... more
7 Days Ago
Palo Alto Networks
Santa Clara, CA
Palo Alto Networks | Santa Clara, CA
Palo Alto Networks in Santa Clara seeks a Principal Software Engineer to drive technical leadership in cloud security technology. You will collaborate acro... more
8 Days Ago
OneClick Smart Resume
San Mateo, CA
OneClick Smart Resume | San Mateo, CA
Principal Security Software Engineer, Enterprise IAM. Roblox San Mateo, CA, United States. Job Description. Every day, tens of millions of people come to R... more
11 Days Ago
Wood Rodgers
Roseville, CA
Wood Rodgers | Roseville, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Are you a dynamic leader seeking a career where you can expand business opportunities, foster a positive wor... more
7 Days Ago
Terraphase Engineering Inc
Oakland, CA
Terraphase Engineering Inc | Oakland, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Terraphase offers cost-effective solutions to complex environmental and engineering challenges. We listen to our clients ... more
8 Days Ago
Knightscope
Sunnyvale, CA
Knightscope | Sunnyvale, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Knightscope. Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation's first Autonomous Sec... more
10 Days Ago
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