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Cybersecurity Associate Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cybersecurity Associate in the United States is $107,516 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,008
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,756 to $116,672
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,870
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cybersecurity Associate Salaries

A Cybersecurity Associate'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 Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cybersecurity Associate'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): $108,193
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $134,071
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $154,823
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $182,492
  • Expert (over 8 years): $213,307
Levels Salary
Cybersecu... Level Cybersecurity Associate$108,193
Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Associate$134,071
Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Associate$154,823
Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Associate$182,492
Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Associate$213,307
View as Graph

How Do Cybersecurity Associate Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Cybersecurity Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $119,042.
  • California: $118,590.
  • Massachusetts: $117,010.

Top Paying Cities for Cybersecurity Associates

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: $135,610
  • San Francisco: $134,125
  • Oakland: $131,299

What Skills Can Increase a Cybersecurity Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.87% 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 2.06% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.87%
Security Architecture 2.06%
Application Security 1.72%
See More Skills

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 Associate's salary.

  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Container $111,817
4%
Planning $111,817
4%
Commitment $110,741
3%
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Cybersecurity Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cybersecurity Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Cybersecurity Associate positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cybersecurity Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cybersecurity Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$131,170$63.022%
Biotechnology$129,019$62.020%
Aerospace & Defense$120,418$58.012%
Insurance$118,268$57.010%
Energy & Utilities$116,117$56.08%

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

Understanding how a Cybersecurity Associate'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 October 01, 2026
$97,756
Average $107,516/year
$116,672
$8,146
Average $8,960/month
$9,723
$1,880
Average $2,068/week
$2,244
$47
Average $52/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $116,672 $9,723 $2,244 $56
Average $107,516 $8,960 $2,068 $52
25th Percentile $97,756 $8,146 $1,880 $47

Most common benefits for Cybersecurity Associate

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

Common company salaries for Cybersecurity Associate

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

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FAQ about Cybersecurity Associate

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

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Cybersecurity Associate roles, with salaries approximately 22% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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