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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an IT Security Engineer in California is $132,747 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.
However, an IT Security Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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IT Security Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $144,571 | $12,048 | $2,780 | $70 |
| Average | $132,747 | $11,062 | $2,553 | $64 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,181 | $10,265 | $2,369 | $59 |
Updater - San Francisco, CA
Etched - San Jose, CA
Hadrian Automation - Los Angeles, CA
Classic Home - Irwindale, CA
An IT 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 an IT 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 |
|---|---|
| Informati... Level IT Security Engineer | $86,056 |
| Informati... Level IT Security Engineer | $101,192 |
| IT Securi... Level IT Security Engineer | $131,878 |
| Informati... Level IT Security Engineer | $154,126 |
| Informati... Level IT Security Engineer | $178,546 |
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 IT 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 IT Security Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, IT Security Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view IT Security Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $159,297 | $77.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $159,297 | $77.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $159,297 | $77.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $159,297 | $77.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $159,297 | $77.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an IT 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 | $144,571 | $12,048 | $2,780 | $70 |
| Average | $132,747 | $11,062 | $2,553 | $64 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,181 | $10,265 | $2,369 | $59 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current IT Security Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Rigetti Computing
Fremont, CA
Rigetti Computing | Fremont, CA
Job Description. Job Description. The IT Engineer is the primary point of contact for all end-user IT support across a 250-person quantum R&D organization.... more
5 Days Ago
Securify
Mountain View, CA
Securify | Mountain View, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Overview. We are seeking a highly skilled and versatile early-career IT Engineer, with approximately 1 to 3 year... more
5 Days Ago
Jobgether
San Francisco, CA
Jobgether | San Francisco, CA
This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of Snorkel AI.We are currently looking for an IT Engineer in California.Join a fast-moving team at the inter... more
3 Days Ago
Oscar Health
Los Angeles, CA
Oscar Health | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Hi, we're Oscar. We're hiring an IT Engineer l to join our Engineering Team. Oscar is the first health insurance company ... more
4 Days Ago
Mid Valley IT
Modesto, CA
Mid Valley IT | Modesto, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a skilled and customer-focused IT Engineer to join our Managed Services team. This role is fully onsite at... more
4 Days Ago
A-STAFFING, INC.
Torrance, CA
A-STAFFING, INC. | Torrance, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. 1. Title of Job. Engineer, Professional Services. 2. Description of Overall Responsibilities. Conducts s... more
6 Days Ago
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