Cybersecurity Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Cybersecurity Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cybersecurity Engineer in the United States is $91,351 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $94,938
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,549 to $93,229
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,267

Key Factors That Influence Cybersecurity Engineer Salaries

A Cybersecurity 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 Cybersecurity Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cybersecurity 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): $74,511
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $91,213
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,463
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,265
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,258
Levels Salary
Network S... Level Cybersecurity Engineer$74,511
Cybersecu... Level Cybersecurity Engineer$91,213
Network S... Level Cybersecurity Engineer$114,463
Network S... Level Cybersecurity Engineer$132,265
Network S... Level Cybersecurity Engineer$150,258

Top Paying Cities for Cybersecurity 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: $115,222
  • San Francisco: $113,960
  • Oakland: $111,558

What Skills Can Increase a Cybersecurity Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 12.93% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.78% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Operating System (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): Maintaining software that runs on a computer that serves as an interface between computer hardware components and the user.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 12.93%
Microsoft Office 1.78%
Operating System 1.49%

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 Cybersecurity Engineer's salary.

  • System Requirements: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
System Requirements $104,141
14%
Java $103,227
13%
Agile $101,400
11%

Cybersecurity Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cybersecurity Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Cybersecurity Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cybersecurity Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cybersecurity Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$118,757$57.030%
Financial Services$114,189$55.025%
Energy & Utilities$109,622$53.020%
Aerospace & Defense$105,054$51.015%
Biotechnology$100,487$48.010%

Cybersecurity Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cybersecurity 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
$85,549
Average $91,351/year
$93,229
$7,129
Average $7,613/month
$7,769
$1,645
Average $1,757/week
$1,793
$41
Average $44/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $93,229 $7,769 $1,793 $45
Average $91,351 $7,613 $1,757 $44
25th Percentile $85,549 $7,129 $1,645 $41

Most common benefits for Cybersecurity Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Cybersecurity Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Cybersecurity Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cybersecurity Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cybersecurity Engineer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Cybersecurity Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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