Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert Salary in the United States

How much does a Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert in the United States is $137,869 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $157,390
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $129,989 to $148,087
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,815
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View as table View as graph 25% $129,989 10% $122,815 90% $157,390 75% $148,087 $137,869 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $148,087 $12,341 $2,848 $71
Average $137,869 $11,489 $2,651 $66
25th Percentile $129,989 $10,832 $2,500 $62
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Key Factors That Influence Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert Salaries

A Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert'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 Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert'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): $110,675
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $137,118
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $158,319
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $186,604
  • Expert (over 8 years): $218,108
Levels Salary
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert$110,675
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert$137,118
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert$158,319
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert$186,604
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert$218,108
$110,675 0 yr
$137,118 < 2 yrs
$158,319 2-4 yrs
$186,604 5-8 yrs
$218,108 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Cyber Security Subject Matter Experts

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: $173,894
  • San Francisco: $171,990
  • Oakland: $168,366

What Skills Can Increase a Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.88%
Security Architecture 2.07%
Application Security 1.72%
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 Subject Matter Expert'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
 $143,384
4%
Commitment
 $143,384
4%
Innovation
 $142,005
3%
Security Architecture
 $142,005
3%
Products and Services
 $142,005
3%
AWS
 $142,005
3%
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Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$129,989
Average $137,869/year
$148,087
$10,832
Average $11,489/month
$12,341
$2,500
Average $2,651/week
$2,848
$62
Average $66/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,087 $12,341 $2,848 $71
Average $137,869 $11,489 $2,651 $66
25th Percentile $129,989 $10,832 $2,500 $62

Salaries of jobs related to Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert

Salary Trends for Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert

Salaries for a Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $127,273 in 2023 to around $124,253 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$127,273
2024
$126,818
2025
$124,253
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $127,273
2024 $126,818
2025 $124,253
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert

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401(k)
Disability
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Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

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