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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Security Engineer in North Carolina is $123,399 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
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 | $131,450 | $10,954 | $2,528 | $63 |
| Average | $123,399 | $10,283 | $2,373 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,187 | $9,182 | $2,119 | $53 |
Hazen and Sawyer - Raleigh, NC
ANS - Raleigh, NC
ANS - Raleigh, NC
Avance Consulting - Raleigh, NC
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 | $77,547 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $94,117 |
| Principal... Level Principal Security Engineer | $126,152 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $141,111 |
| DevOps En... Level Principal Security Engineer | $155,911 |
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 | $185,099 | $89.0 | 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 | $131,450 | $10,954 | $2,528 | $63 |
| Average | $123,399 | $10,283 | $2,373 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,187 | $9,182 | $2,119 | $53 |
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.
3 Key Consulting
Holly Springs, NC
3 Key Consulting | Holly Springs, NC
Job Title :Engineer Principal - Drug Substance Manufacturing Process Optimization & Tech Transfer REMOTE (JP14711)Location :Holly Springs, NC.27540 (Remote... more
9 Days Ago
IVID TEK INC
Charlotte, NC
IVID TEK INC | Charlotte, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Principal Data Engineer. Job Description. – Principal Data Engineer. Job Type. Contract W2. Location. Johnston... more
7 Days Ago
Top Dog Engineers
Greensboro, NC
Top Dog Engineers | Greensboro, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Principle Systems Engineer. Location. Greensboro NC. |. $120k - $140k + Bonus. Join a Growing Consumer Products Manufactu... more
7 Days Ago
Kaiser Permanente
Country Park Acres, NC
Kaiser Permanente | Country Park Acres, NC
Please note, this position is designated as flexible, which means the selected candidate may be required to report to the assigned office in Greensboro, NC... more
7 Days Ago
System One
Charlotte, NC
System One | Charlotte, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Principal Civil / Structural Engineer. Location. Charlotte, NC 28208. Type. Direct hire. Compensation. $165,00... more
8 Days Ago
Renesas Electronics
Morrisville, NC
Renesas Electronics | Morrisville, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Renesas is a dynamic, multi-cultural technology company where employees learn, mentor, innovate and ... more
10 Days Ago
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