Cyber Security Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Cyber Security Lead make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Security Lead in the United States is $163,429 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $186,461
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $148,609 to $175,485
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $135,116
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View as table View as graph 25% $148,609 10% $135,116 90% $186,461 75% $175,485 $163,429 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cyber Security Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $175,485 $14,624 $3,375 $84
Average $163,429 $13,619 $3,143 $79
25th Percentile $148,609 $12,384 $2,858 $71
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Key Factors That Influence Cyber Security Lead Salaries

A Cyber Security Lead'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 Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cyber Security Lead'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): $212,198
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $131,273
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $164,458
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $190,894
  • Expert (over 8 years): $212,397
Levels Salary
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Lead$212,198
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Lead$131,273
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Lead$164,458
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Lead$190,894
Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Lead$212,397
$212,198 0 yr
$131,273 < 2 yrs
$164,458 2-4 yrs
$190,894 5-8 yrs
$212,397 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Cyber Security Leads

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: $206,133
  • San Francisco: $204,106
  • Oakland: $199,579

What Skills Can Increase a Cyber Security Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.21% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • CISSP (Mentioned in 3.16% Job Postings): Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an information security certification for security analysts. It was created by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC).
  • Cybersecurity (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.21%
CISSP 3.16%
Cybersecurity 2.11%
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 Lead's salary.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Courage: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Dedication
$169,966
4%
Insight
$169,966
4%
Courage
$169,966
4%
Scenario Analysis
$168,332
3%
Innovation
$168,332
3%
Alignment
$166,698
2%
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Cyber Security Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cyber Security Lead'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 March 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Cyber Security Lead

Salaries for a Cyber Security Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $162,174 in 2023 to around $159,070 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cyber Security Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cyber Security Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$162,174
2024
$161,456
2025
$159,070
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $162,174
2024 $161,456
2025 $159,070
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Cyber Security Lead

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Cyber Security Lead

Here are companies hiring for Cyber Security Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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.

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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