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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Security Operations Center in Virginia is $144,221 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.
However, a Security Operations Center's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Security Operations Center Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $154,651 | $12,888 | $2,974 | $74 |
| Average | $144,221 | $12,018 | $2,773 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,685 | $10,890 | $2,513 | $63 |
SOS International LLC - Ashburn, VA
Tyto Athene, LLC - Ashburn, VA
UBERETHER INC - Sterling, VA
Two Six Technologies - Arlington, VA
A Security Operations Center'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 Security Operations Center'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 |
|---|---|
| Informati... Level Security Operations Center | $86,517 |
| Informati... Level Security Operations Center | $131,611 |
| Security ... Level Security Operations Center | $145,161 |
| Informati... Level Security Operations Center | $183,578 |
| Informati... Level Security Operations Center | $206,604 |
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 Security Operations Centers. 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 Security Operations Center 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 Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Security Operations Center positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Security Operations Center as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $173,065 | $83.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $173,065 | $83.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $173,065 | $83.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $173,065 | $83.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $173,065 | $83.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Security Operations Center'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 | $154,651 | $12,888 | $2,974 | $74 |
| Average | $144,221 | $12,018 | $2,773 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,685 | $10,890 | $2,513 | $63 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Security Operations Center job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Enterprise Technology Services (Etek)
Leesburg, VA
Enterprise Technology Services (Etek) | Leesburg, VA
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Boeing
Arlington, VA
Boeing | Arlington, VA
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Richmond, VA
Ally Behavior Centers | Richmond, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Ally Behavior is a full-time, center-based, early intervention Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy program, serving c... more
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Obsidian Solutions Group LLC
Quantico, VA
Obsidian Solutions Group LLC | Quantico, VA
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Ally Behavior Centers
Fairfax, VA
Ally Behavior Centers | Fairfax, VA
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Ally Behavior Centers
Herndon, VA
Ally Behavior Centers | Herndon, VA
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