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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Security in California is $150,788 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.
However, a Cyber Security's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Cyber Security Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $161,960 | $13,497 | $3,115 | $78 |
| Average | $150,788 | $12,566 | $2,900 | $72 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,168 | $11,847 | $2,734 | $68 |
Forhyre - Sunnyvale, CA
Forhyre - San Francisco, CA
Forhyre - Los Angeles, CA
Arete Associates - Los Angeles, CA
A Cyber Security'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 Cyber Security'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 |
|---|---|
| Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security | $121,032 |
| Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security | $149,967 |
| Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security | $173,171 |
| Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security | $204,114 |
| Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security | $238,578 |
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 Cyber Securities. 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 Cyber Security 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 positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Security as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $211,103 | $101.0 | 40% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $196,024 | $94.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $180,945 | $87.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Cyber Security'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 | $161,960 | $13,497 | $3,115 | $78 |
| Average | $150,788 | $12,566 | $2,900 | $72 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,168 | $11,847 | $2,734 | $68 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cyber Security job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Vista Search Partners
Los Angeles, CA
Vista Search Partners | Los Angeles, CA
The Director of Cybersecurity serves as the companies cybersecurity leader, reporting directly to the CDIO. This role owns the vision, strategy, and execut... more
9 Days Ago
Strong Network | Now Part Of Citrix.
San Ramon, CA
Strong Network | Now Part Of Citrix. | San Ramon, CA
Principal Cyber Security EngineerArchitectural Leadership:Design, develop, and maintain the comprehensive security architecture for Cloud Software Group's ... more
10 Days Ago
Lawrence Berkeley Lab
Berkeley, CA
Lawrence Berkeley Lab | Berkeley, CA
Cyber Security EngineerThe National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is inviting applica... more
10 Days Ago
ManTech International
El Segundo, CA
ManTech International | El Segundo, CA
ManTech International seeks a Cyber System Security Engineer to secure mission-critical systems for U.S. defense and intelligence clients. In this role you... more
10 Days Ago
Ceribell, Inc
San Jose, CA
Ceribell, Inc | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Ceribell. Ceribell is a medical technology company focused on transforming the diagnosis and management of patients... more
11 Days Ago
Biolink360
National City, CA
Biolink360 | National City, CA
A leading medical device company in California is seeking a Director of Cyber Security to develop and execute Cyber Security strategies.This pivotal role i... more
10 Days Ago
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