Data Security Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Security Engineer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Security Engineer in the United States is $122,809 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,705
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113,958 to $133,747
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,900
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View as table View as graph 25% $113,958 10% $105,900 90% $143,705 75% $133,747 $122,809 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Data Security Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $133,747 $11,146 $2,572 $64
Average $122,809 $10,234 $2,362 $59
25th Percentile $113,958 $9,497 $2,192 $55
Check out Data Security Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Data Engineer

AndHealth - Columbus, OH

Data Engineer

CapTech Consulting - Columbus, OH

Data Center Security Manager

Cologix - Columbus, OH

Analytics Engineer Data Platform

AndHealth - Columbus, OH

Search More Data Security Engineer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Data Security Engineer Salaries

A Data 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.

How Experience Level Affects Data Security Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $79,613
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,616
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $122,005
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $142,586
  • Expert (over 8 years): $165,178
Levels Salary
Informati... Level Data Security Engineer$79,613
Informati... Level Data Security Engineer$93,616
Data Secu... Level Data Security Engineer$122,005
Informati... Level Data Security Engineer$142,586
Informati... Level Data Security Engineer$165,178
$79,613 0 yr
$93,616 < 2 yrs
$122,005 2-4 yrs
$142,586 5-8 yrs
$165,178 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Data Security Engineers

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: $154,899
  • San Francisco: $153,203
  • Oakland: $149,974

What Skills Can Increase a Data Security Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.82% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Incident Response (Mentioned in 3.34% Job Postings): Incident response (IR) is a set of information security policies and procedures that you can use to identify, contain, and eliminate cyberattacks.
  • Risk Assessment (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): Broadly speaking, a risk assessment is the combined effort of: identifying and analyzing potential (future) events that may negatively impact individuals, assets, and/or the environment (i.e. risk analysis); and making judgments "on the tolerability of the risk on the basis of a risk analysis" while considering influencing factors (i.e. risk evaluation).Put in simpler terms, a risk assessment analyzes what can go wrong, how likely it is to happen, what the potential consequences are, and how tolerable the identified risk is. As part of this process, the resulting determination of risk may be expressed in a quantitative or qualitative fashion. The risk assessment is an inherent part of an overall risk management strategy, which attempts to, after a risk assessment, "introduce control measures to eliminate or reduce" any potential risk-related consequences.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.82%
Incident Response 3.34%
Risk Assessment 2.25%
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 Data Security Engineer's salary.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight
$126,493
3%
Innovation
$125,265
2%
Consulting
$125,265
2%
Collaboration
$125,265
2%
Commitment
$125,265
2%
Cybersecurity
$125,265
2%
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Data Security Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Security Engineer 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 Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Data Security Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Security Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Security Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$147,371$71.020%
Biotechnology$147,371$71.020%
Energy & Utilities$147,371$71.020%
Financial Services$147,371$71.020%
Pharmaceuticals$147,371$71.020%

Data Security Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Data Security Engineer

Salaries for a Data Security Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $119,850 in 2023 to around $119,390 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Data Security Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Data Security Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$119,850
2024
$120,621
2025
$119,390
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $119,850
2024 $120,621
2025 $119,390
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Data Security Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Data Security Engineer

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

Find Your Next Data Security Engineer Job

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

United States
  • giftHEALTH Inc

    Columbus, OH

    giftHEALTH Inc | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Position Summary. The Sr. Data Engineer is responsible for leading the design and architecture of Gifthealth... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Huntington

    Columbus, OH

    Huntington | Columbus, OH

    Data Engineer LeadThe Data Engineer Lead plays a pivotal role in building and operationalizing the minimally inclusive data necessary for the enterprise da... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Syntricate Technologies

    Columbus, OH

    Syntricate Technologies | Columbus, OH

    Job TitleRequired Skills:10year experience in data warehousing, AWS cloud business, intelligence, Informatica, and Databricks (data flow design, developmen... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Career Listings

    Columbus, OH

    Career Listings | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. 401(k). 401(k) matching. Dental insurance. Health insurance. Paid time off. Profit sharing. Training & developm... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Acestack

    Columbus, OH

    Acestack | Columbus, OH

    Role :Data Quality Engineer (Databricks & SQL Server)Location :100% Remote EST TimeType :Long-Term ContractOverview :We are seeking a Data Quality Engineer... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Pavion

    Columbus, OH

    Pavion | Columbus, OH

    Data Center Security Technician III. Pavion Connects and Protects by providing innovative fire, security, and communication integration solutions to custom... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Data Security Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Data Security Engineer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Security Engineer 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.)

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