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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Security Engineer in Maryland is $133,891 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.
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 | $142,627 | $11,886 | $2,743 | $69 |
| Average | $133,891 | $11,158 | $2,575 | $64 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,556 | $9,963 | $2,299 | $57 |
Ion Storage Systems - Beltsville, MD
Raft Company Website - Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Hazen and Sawyer - Silver Spring, MD
Hazen and Sawyer - Silver Spring, MD
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 | $84,141 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $102,119 |
| Principal... Level Principal Security Engineer | $136,878 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $153,109 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $169,168 |
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 | $200,837 | $97.0 | 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 | $142,627 | $11,886 | $2,743 | $69 |
| Average | $133,891 | $11,158 | $2,575 | $64 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,556 | $9,963 | $2,299 | $57 |
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.
RSC2
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
RSC2 | Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Founded in 2009, RSC2, Inc. is a Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified HUBZone Professional Services... more
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ARSIEM
Annapolis Junction, MD
ARSIEM | Annapolis Junction, MD
Job Description. Job Description. About ARSIEM Corporation. At ARSIEM Corporation we are committed to fostering a proven and trusted partnership with our g... more
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Intelliforce-IT Solutions Group
Annapolis Junction, MD
Intelliforce-IT Solutions Group | Annapolis Junction, MD
Job Description. Job Description. Principal Feature Architect, Mission Software. Make an Impact Where It Matters Most. At Intelliforce, we build software t... more
7 Days Ago
Nyla Technology Solutions
Annapolis Junction, MD
Nyla Technology Solutions | Annapolis Junction, MD
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. ACTIVE SECURITY CLEARANCE AT THE TS/SCI POLYGRAPH LEVEL IS REQUIRED. Are you a detail-oriented. Test Eng... more
7 Days Ago
SlyFox Solutions LLC
Woodbine, MD
SlyFox Solutions LLC | Woodbine, MD
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Job Type: Full-time. Job Summary. The Principal Software Engineer will drive the company's technical vision ... more
8 Days Ago
Northrop Grumman
Sykesville, MD
Northrop Grumman | Sykesville, MD
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE:Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START:YesCLEARANCE TYPE:SecretTRAVEL:Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt N... more
9 Days Ago
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