Application Security Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Application Security Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Application Security Specialist in the United States is $99,292 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $117,338
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,515 to $108,738
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,436

Key Factors That Influence Application Security Specialist Salaries

An Application Security 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Application Security Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Application Security 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $96,043
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,275
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $97,204
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $98,597
  • Expert (over 8 years): $101,653
Levels Salary
Entry Level Application Security Specialist$96,043
Intermediate Level Application Security Specialist$96,275
Senior Level Application Security Specialist$97,204
Specialist Level Application Security Specialist$98,597
Expert Level Application Security Specialist$101,653

Top Paying Cities for Application Security Specialists

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: $125,236
  • San Francisco: $123,865
  • Oakland: $121,255

What Skills Can Increase an Application Security Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 10.79% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
  • Technical Support (Mentioned in 1.56% Job Postings): Offering hands-on assistance and solutions to end-users in addressing and troubleshooting technical issues.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.79%
Programming 2.09%
Technical Support 1.56%

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 an Application Security Specialist's salary.

  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Networking $106,242
7%
Collaboration $105,249
6%
Innovation $105,249
6%

Application Security Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Application Security Specialist 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 Financial Services and Hospitality & Leisure sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Application Security Specialist positions in Healthcare or Insurance typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Application Security Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Application Security Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$119,150$57.020%
Hospitality & Leisure$114,185$55.015%
Software & Networking$111,207$53.012%
Aerospace & Defense$109,221$53.010%
Pharmaceuticals$107,235$52.08%

How Education impacts an Application Security Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Application Security Specialists enter the field with a Bachelor'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 an Application Security Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $82,572 and $89,718).

Application Security Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Application Security Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 7.4%
Associates 9.6%
Bachelors 51.3%
Masters 30.2%
Doctorate 1.2%

Application Security Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Application Security 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$91,515
Average $99,292/year
$108,738
$7,626
Average $8,274/month
$9,062
$1,760
Average $1,909/week
$2,091
$44
Average $48/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $108,738 $9,062 $2,091 $52
Average $99,292 $8,274 $1,909 $48
25th Percentile $91,515 $7,626 $1,760 $44

Most common benefits for Application Security Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Application Security Specialist

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

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FAQ about Application Security Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Application Security Specialist?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Application Security Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

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