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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Network Security Engineer in California is $127,404 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a Senior Network Security Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Network Security Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $136,442 | $11,370 | $2,624 | $66 |
| Average | $127,404 | $10,617 | $2,450 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,488 | $9,791 | $2,259 | $56 |
Innovation Consulting - San Jose, CA
AmeriPharma - Laguna Hills, CA
Metropolis - Los Angeles, CA
Select Minds LLC - Santa Clara, CA
A Senior Network Security Engineer'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 Senior Network Security Engineer'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 |
|---|---|
| Network E... Level Senior Network Security Engineer | $88,753 |
| Network E... Level Senior Network Security Engineer | $105,888 |
| Senior Ne... Level Senior Network Security Engineer | $128,093 |
| Network E... Level Senior Network Security Engineer | $150,539 |
| Network E... Level Senior Network Security Engineer | $172,358 |
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 Senior Network Security Engineers. 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 Senior Network Security Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 130% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Senior Network Security Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Network Security Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $191,106 | $92.0 | 50% |
| Internet | $178,366 | $86.0 | 40% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $171,996 | $83.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $165,625 | $80.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $159,255 | $77.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Senior Network Security Engineer'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 | $136,442 | $11,370 | $2,624 | $66 |
| Average | $127,404 | $10,617 | $2,450 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,488 | $9,791 | $2,259 | $56 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Network Security Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Zoox
Foster City, CA
Zoox | Foster City, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Zoox's Network Security team architects and defends the digital borders of the company — from corporate offices to engine... more
2 Days Ago
Hyundai Autoever America
Irvine, CA
Hyundai Autoever America | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Network Security Engineer II. Location – Onsite, Irvine, CA. Grade: 8. Company Overview. . Hyundai AutoEver America (HAEA... more
5 Days Ago
Vibotek LLC
Rancho Cordova, CA
Vibotek LLC | Rancho Cordova, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Our client is seeking a contract resource tosupport modernization of site-to-site IPsec VPN tunnels and fire... more
5 Days Ago
SpaceXAI
Palo Alto, CA
SpaceXAI | Palo Alto, CA
Job Description. Job Description. SpaceXAI's mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of... more
6 Days Ago
Etched
San Jose, CA
Etched | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Etched. Etched is building hardware for frontier intelligence. We co-design chips, racks, software, and manufacturi... more
6 Days Ago
Motion Recruitment
Piedra, CA
Motion Recruitment | Piedra, CA
Staff Security Engineer (Cloud Network Security)Our client, a blockchain fintech leader, is seeking a seasoned Remote Staff Security Engineer to strengthen... more
6 Days Ago
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