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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cyber Security Specialist in California is $103,708 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Cyber Security Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Cyber Security Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $111,973 | $9,331 | $2,153 | $54 |
| Average | $103,708 | $8,642 | $1,994 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,269 | $7,689 | $1,774 | $44 |
Innoflight LLC - San Diego, CA
Forhyre - Sunnyvale, CA
Forhyre - San Francisco, CA
Forhyre - Los Angeles, CA
A Cyber Security Specialist'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 Specialist'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 Inc... Level Cyber Security Specialist | $89,074 |
| Cyber Sec... Level Cyber Security Specialist | $104,502 |
| Cyber Inc... Level Cyber Security Specialist | $142,055 |
| Cyber Inc... Level Cyber Security Specialist | $159,826 |
| Cyber Inc... Level Cyber Security Specialist | $184,397 |
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 Security Specialists. 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 Specialist 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 Security Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cyber Security Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $119,264 | $57.0 | 15% |
| Insurance | $116,153 | $56.0 | 12% |
| Biotechnology | $114,079 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $114,079 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $112,005 | $54.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Cyber Security Specialist'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 | $111,973 | $9,331 | $2,153 | $54 |
| Average | $103,708 | $8,642 | $1,994 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,269 | $7,689 | $1,774 | $44 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cyber Security Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Arete Associates
Los Angeles, CA
Arete Associates | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. At Areté, we are on the forefront of utilizing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve... more
7 Days Ago
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
8 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
9 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
9 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
9 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
10 Days Ago
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