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Cyber Security Engineer Salary in San Diego, CA

How much does a Cyber Security Engineer make in San Diego, CA?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Security Engineer in San Diego, CA is $147,669 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $168,565
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $139,223 to $158,607
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $131,534
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cyber Security Engineer Salaries

A Cyber 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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cyber Security Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber 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): $118,522
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $146,865
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $169,592
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $199,900
  • Expert (over 8 years): $233,652
Levels Salary
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Engineer$118,522
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Engineer$146,865
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Engineer$169,592
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Engineer$199,900
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Engineer$233,652
View as Graph

Top Paying Cities for Cyber 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: $172,603
  • San Francisco: $170,713
  • Oakland: $167,115

What Skills Can Increase a Cyber Security Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.88% 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 2.07% 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 4.88%
Security Architecture 2.07%
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 Cyber Security Engineer's salary.

  • IT Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
IT Management $153,576
4%
Commitment $153,576
4%
Innovation $152,100
3%
Get Latest Data

Cyber Security Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cyber Security Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Cyber Security Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Security Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cyber Security Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$206,737$99.040%
Pharmaceuticals$191,970$92.030%
Financial Services$177,203$85.020%

Cyber Security Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cyber 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
$139,223
Average $147,669/year
$158,607
$11,602
Average $12,306/month
$13,217
$2,677
Average $2,840/week
$3,050
$67
Average $71/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $158,607 $13,217 $3,050 $76
Average $147,669 $12,306 $2,840 $71
25th Percentile $139,223 $11,602 $2,677 $67

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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