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Director of Security Operations Salary in the United States

How much does a Director of Security Operations make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Security Operations in the United States is $165,097 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $200,073
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $150,213 to $183,405
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $136,662
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Director of Security Operations Salaries

A Director of Security Operations'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 Director of Security Operations Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Security Operations'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): $87,233
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,116
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $146,606
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $163,751
  • Expert (over 8 years): $212,576
Levels Salary
Security ... Level Director of Security Operations$87,233
Security ... Level Director of Security Operations$102,116
Security ... Level Director of Security Operations$146,606
Director ... Level Director of Security Operations$163,751
VP of Sec... Level Director of Security Operations$212,576
View as Graph

How Do Director of Security Operations 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 Director of Security Operations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $182,795.
  • California: $182,102.
  • Massachusetts: $179,675.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Security Operations

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: $208,237
  • San Francisco: $205,957
  • Oakland: $201,616

What Skills Can Increase a Director of Security Operations's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.37% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.41% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Equipment Operation (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): This is skilled and unskilled work in the operation of mechanical tools and light to heavy equipment used in maintenance and construction or on the grounds of state properties or facilities and routine maintenance of that equipment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.37%
CPR 2.41%
Equipment Operation 2.12%
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 Director of Security Operations's salary.

  • Customer Focus: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Environment Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Facilities Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Focus $184,909
12%
Environment Management $179,956
9%
Facilities Management $176,654
7%
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Director of Security Operations Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of Security Operations 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, Director of Security Operations positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director of Security Operations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director of Security Operations

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$198,116$95.020%
Biotechnology$198,116$95.020%
Financial Services$198,116$95.020%
Pharmaceuticals$198,116$95.020%
Software & Networking$198,116$95.020%

Director of Security Operations Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Security Operations'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 October 01, 2026
$150,213
Average $165,097/year
$183,405
$12,518
Average $13,758/month
$15,284
$2,889
Average $3,175/week
$3,527
$72
Average $79/hour
$88
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $183,405 $15,284 $3,527 $88
Average $165,097 $13,758 $3,175 $79
25th Percentile $150,213 $12,518 $2,889 $72

Most common benefits for Director of Security Operations

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

Common company salaries for Director of Security Operations

Here are companies hiring for Director of Security Operations and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Director of Security Operations

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director of Security Operations?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Director of Security Operations 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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