What are the main factors that influence a Principal Cyber-security Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Principal Cyber-security Engineer's salary?

A Principal Cyber-security Engineer's salary grows with experience: a Cyber Security Architect II (4-7 years)earns $150,602, a Cyber Security Architect III (7+ years)earns $173,884, a Principal Cyber-security Engineer (7-10 years)earns $204,946, a Cyber Security Architect V (10-12 years)earns $239,546, a Cyber Security Architecture Supervisor (12+ years)earns $148,173,

What are the highest paying states for a Principal Cyber-security Engineer?

Principal Cyber-security Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Principal Cyber-security Engineer roles are District of Columbia $205,668, California $204,888, Massachusetts $202,157. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Principal Cyber-security Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Principal Cyber-security Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Principal Data Engineer: $171,173; Principal Database Engineer: $169,221; Principal Electronics Engineer: $167,285; Principal Engineer I: $165,734; Principal Algorithm Engineer: $158,400.

Principal Cyber-security Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Principal Cyber-security Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Cyber-security Engineer in District of Columbia is $205,668 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $99.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $224,420
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $195,357 to $215,483
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $185,969

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Principal Cyber-security Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$215,483	$17,957	$4,144	$104
Average	$205,668	$17,139	$3,955	$99
25th Percentile	$195,357	$16,280	$3,757	$94

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Principal Cyber-security Engineer Salaries

A Principal 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Principal Cyber-security Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal 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): $150,602
Early Career (1-2 years): $173,884
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $204,946
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $239,546
Expert (over 8 years): $148,173

Levels	Salary
Cyber Sec... Level Principal Cyber-security Engineer	$150,602
Cyber Sec... Level Principal Cyber-security Engineer	$173,884
Principal... Level Principal Cyber-security Engineer	$204,946
Cyber Sec... Level Principal Cyber-security Engineer	$239,546
Cyber Sec... Level Principal Cyber-security Engineer	$148,173

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Principal Cyber-security Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Cyber-security Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $205,668.
California: $204,888.
Massachusetts: $202,157.

District of Columbia $205,668 California $204,888 Massachusetts $202,157 Washington $201,414 New Jersey $201,340 Alaska $201,080 Connecticut $198,516 New York $197,476

Hawaii $194,151 Rhode Island $192,591 Maryland $191,532 Minnesota $190,083 Colorado $189,526 Illinois $189,340 Oregon $188,634 Delaware $188,114

New Hampshire $187,787 Virginia $187,055 Pennsylvania $184,919 Nevada $183,842 North Dakota $183,489 Michigan $182,932 Wisconsin $182,727 Vermont $182,319

Texas $181,185 Maine $181,111 Arizona $181,000 Ohio $180,870 Georgia $179,161 Indiana $178,306 Wyoming $178,139 Utah $177,879

Iowa $177,768 Kansas $176,876 Louisiana $176,616 North Carolina $176,523 Missouri $176,486 Florida $175,761 Montana $175,371 Nebraska $175,000

Kentucky $174,795 South Carolina $174,052 Tennessee $173,588 Idaho $173,402 New Mexico $172,046 Oklahoma $171,749 Alabama $170,653 South Dakota $168,814

Arkansas $167,811 West Virginia $167,272 Mississippi $165,656

Top Paying Cities for Principal 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:

Parcel Return Service: $205,668
Washington: $205,668
Naval Anacost Annex: $205,668

Parcel Return Service, DC $205,668 Washington, DC $205,668 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $205,668 Washington Navy Yard, DC $205,668

Principal Cyber-security Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal 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 April 01, 2026

$195,357

Average $205,668/year

$215,483

$16,280

Average $17,139/month

$17,957

$3,757

Average $3,955/week

$4,144

$94

Average $99/hour

$104

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$215,483	$17,957	$4,144	$104
Average	$205,668	$17,139	$3,955	$99
25th Percentile	$195,357	$16,280	$3,757	$94

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