Cyber Network Defender Salary in the United States

How much does a Cyber Network Defender make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Network Defender in the United States is $93,176 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

However, a Cyber Network Defender's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $107,355
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $82,896 to $100,598
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,537

Key Factors That Influence Cyber Network Defender Salaries

A Cyber Network Defender'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 Network Defender Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber Network Defender'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): $80,033
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,890
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $127,642
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $143,608
  • Expert (over 8 years): $165,675
Levels Salary
Cyber Inc... Level Cyber Network Defender$80,033
Cyber Net... Level Cyber Network Defender$93,890
Cyber Inc... Level Cyber Network Defender$127,642
Cyber Inc... Level Cyber Network Defender$143,608
Cyber Inc... Level Cyber Network Defender$165,675

Top Paying Cities for Cyber Network Defenders

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: $117,523
  • San Francisco: $116,236
  • Oakland: $113,787

What Skills Can Increase a Cyber Network Defender's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 10.07% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SIEM (Mentioned in 2.15% Job Postings): Security information and event management is a field within the field of computer security, where software products and services combine security information management and security event management.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.07%
SIEM 2.15%
Linux 1.46%

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 Network Defender's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $96,903
4%
Insight $95,971
3%
Teamwork $95,040
2%

Cyber Network Defender Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cyber Network Defender roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 37% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Cyber Network Defender positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Network Defender as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cyber Network Defender

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$107,152$52.015%
Insurance$104,357$50.012%
Biotechnology$102,494$49.010%
Financial Services$102,494$49.010%
Energy & Utilities$100,630$48.08%

Cyber Network Defender Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cyber Network Defender'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
$82,896
Average $93,176/year
$100,598
$6,908
Average $7,765/month
$8,383
$1,594
Average $1,792/week
$1,935
$40
Average $45/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $100,598 $8,383 $1,935 $48
Average $93,176 $7,765 $1,792 $45
25th Percentile $82,896 $6,908 $1,594 $40

Most common benefits for Cyber Network Defender

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

Common company salaries for Cyber Network Defender

Here are companies hiring for Cyber Network Defender and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cyber Network Defender

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cyber Network Defender?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Cyber Network Defender roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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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