Salary AI Book a Demo

Security Lead Salary in the United States

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

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Security Lead in the United States is $60,973 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,587
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,568 to $71,240
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,558
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs
Loading...

Key Factors That Influence Security Lead Salaries

A 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Security Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $59,749
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,933
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,361
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,850
  • Expert (over 8 years): $61,622
Levels Salary
Entry Level Security Lead$59,749
Intermediate Level Security Lead$59,933
Senior Level Security Lead$60,361
Specialist Level Security Lead$60,850
Expert Level Security Lead$61,622
View as Graph

How Do Security Lead 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 Security Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $67,509.
  • California: $67,253.
  • Massachusetts: $66,357.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $76,905
  • San Francisco: $76,063
  • Oakland: $74,460

What Skills Can Increase a Security Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Guest Service (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): Guest services is a division of the hospitality industry. The goal of guest services is to provide customers with an enjoyable experience, primarily in the hotel and spa industry, sports facilities, and event venues.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.71%
Guest Service 12.71%
Housekeeping 12.71%
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 Security Lead's salary.

  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Initiative $70,728
16%
Verbal Communication $64,631
6%
Get Latest Data

Security Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Security Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Security Lead positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Security Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Security Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$91,459$44.050%

How Education impacts a Security Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Security Leads enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Security Lead with a Associate's Degree is between $59,584 and $64,845).

Security Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Security Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 50.5%
Associates 20.0%
Bachelors 21.9%
Masters 3.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Security Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 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 November 01, 2026
$56,568
Average $60,973/year
$71,240
$4,714
Average $5,081/month
$5,937
$1,088
Average $1,173/week
$1,370
$27
Average $29/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,240 $5,937 $1,370 $34
Average $60,973 $5,081 $1,173 $29
25th Percentile $56,568 $4,714 $1,088 $27

Most common benefits for Security Lead

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

Common company salaries for Security Lead

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

Find Your Next Security Lead Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Security Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Security Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Security Lead?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Security Lead roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst