Cybersecurity Researcher Salary in the United States

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

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cybersecurity Researcher in the United States is $136,801 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,606
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $128,355 to $146,121
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $120,665
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View as table View as graph 25% $128,355 10% $120,665 90% $154,606 75% $146,121 $136,801 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cybersecurity Researcher Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $146,121 $12,177 $2,810 $70
Average $136,801 $11,400 $2,631 $66
25th Percentile $128,355 $10,696 $2,468 $62
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Key Factors That Influence Cybersecurity Researcher Salaries

A Cybersecurity Researcher'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 Researcher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cybersecurity Researcher'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): $110,888
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $137,388
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $158,636
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $186,979
  • Expert (over 8 years): $218,547
Levels Salary
Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Researcher$110,888
Cybersecu... Level Cybersecurity Researcher$137,388
Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Researcher$158,636
Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Researcher$186,979
Cyber Sec... Level Cybersecurity Researcher$218,547
$110,888 0 yr
$137,388 < 2 yrs
$158,636 2-4 yrs
$186,979 5-8 yrs
$218,547 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Cybersecurity Researchers

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: $172,547
  • San Francisco: $170,658
  • Oakland: $167,061

What Skills Can Increase a Cybersecurity Researcher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.88% 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 2.07% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.88%
Security Architecture 2.07%
Application Security 1.72%
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 Researcher's salary.
  • IT Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
IT Management
 $142,273
4%
Commitment
 $142,273
4%
Innovation
 $140,905
3%
Security Architecture
 $140,905
3%
Products and Services
 $140,905
3%
AWS
 $140,905
3%
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Cybersecurity Researcher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cybersecurity Researcher'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on June 01, 2026
$128,355
Average $136,801/year
$146,121
$10,696
Average $11,400/month
$12,177
$2,468
Average $2,631/week
$2,810
$62
Average $66/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $146,121 $12,177 $2,810 $70
Average $136,801 $11,400 $2,631 $66
25th Percentile $128,355 $10,696 $2,468 $62

Salaries of jobs related to Cybersecurity Researcher

Salary Trends for Cybersecurity Researcher

Salaries for a Cybersecurity Researcher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $127,521 in 2023 to around $124,495 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cybersecurity Researcher salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cybersecurity Researcher Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$127,521
2024
$127,065
2025
$124,495
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $127,521
2024 $127,065
2025 $124,495
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Cybersecurity Researcher

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

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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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