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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Protection Specialist in California is $40,361 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Data Protection Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Data Protection Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $43,345 | $3,612 | $834 | $21 |
| Average | $40,361 | $3,363 | $776 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,682 | $3,140 | $725 | $18 |
ViaSat - Grizzly Flats, CA
Ross Stores, Inc. - Madera, CA
DDS DISCOUNTS - Victorville, CA
Ross Stores, Inc. - Fresno, CA
A Data Protection 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 Data Protection 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 |
|---|---|
| Data Prot... Level Data Protection Specialist | $40,547 |
| Contact C... Level Data Protection Specialist | $45,083 |
| Contact C... Level Data Protection Specialist | $55,093 |
| Contact C... Level Data Protection Specialist | $62,215 |
| Inbound C... Level Data Protection Specialist | $69,032 |
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 Data Protection 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 Data Protection Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Data Protection Specialist positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Protection Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $48,433 | $23.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $46,415 | $22.0 | 15% |
| Construction | $45,204 | $22.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $44,397 | $21.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $43,590 | $21.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Data Protection 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 | $43,345 | $3,612 | $834 | $21 |
| Average | $40,361 | $3,363 | $776 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,682 | $3,140 | $725 | $18 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Data Protection Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Ross Stores, Inc.
Livermore, CA
Ross Stores, Inc. | Livermore, CA
Store Protection SpecialistThis position provides a visible presence at the Store entrances/exits, mitigating theft and fraud and maintaining a safe and se... more
7 Days Ago
Ross Stores, Inc.
Oakland, CA
Ross Stores, Inc. | Oakland, CA
Store Protection SpecialistBring your talents to Ross, our leading off-price retail chain with over 2,200 stores, and a strong track record of success and ... more
7 Days Ago
Ross Stores, Inc.
Redlands, CA
Ross Stores, Inc. | Redlands, CA
Ross Stores - 27651 San Bernadino Ave - Responsibilities:Provides visible command presence at store entrances/exits and on sales floor. Mitigates theft and... more
7 Days Ago
Home Depot
Chico, CA
Home Depot | Chico, CA
Asset Protection SpecialistCHICO, CAJob Type:Asset ProtectionAuto req ID:200092980Pay Range:$23.00Job DescriptionPosition Purpose:The Asset Protection Spec... more
7 Days Ago
Home Depot
Vallejo, CA
Home Depot | Vallejo, CA
Asset Protection SpecialistPosition Purpose:The Asset Protection Specialist is primarily responsible for preventing financial loss caused by theft and frau... more
7 Days Ago
DDS DISCOUNTS
Inglewood, CA
DDS DISCOUNTS | Inglewood, CA
dd's Discounts - 2616 W. Imperial Hwy Asset Protection / Security As an Store Protection Specialist at dd's Discounts, you'll:Understand that safety is the... more
7 Days Ago
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