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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Security Operations Engineer in California is $87,596 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, a Security Operations Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Security Operations Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $93,738 | $7,812 | $1,803 | $45 |
| Average | $87,596 | $7,300 | $1,685 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,021 | $6,752 | $1,558 | $39 |
GoodLeap - Roseville, CA
FieldAI - Irvine, CA
Ripple - San Francisco, CA
Essel - Santa Maria, CA
A Security Operations 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 Security Operations 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 |
|---|---|
| Security ... Level Security Operations Engineer | $87,144 |
| Engineer ... Level Security Operations Engineer | $100,777 |
| Engineer ... Level Security Operations Engineer | $121,139 |
| Engineer ... Level Security Operations Engineer | $153,323 |
| Engineer ... Level Security Operations Engineer | $177,032 |
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 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 Security Operations Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Security Operations Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Security Operations Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $109,495 | $53.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $105,115 | $51.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $100,735 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $100,735 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $96,356 | $46.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Security Operations 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 | $93,738 | $7,812 | $1,803 | $45 |
| Average | $87,596 | $7,300 | $1,685 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,021 | $6,752 | $1,558 | $39 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Security Operations Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Essel
Simi Valley, CA
Essel | Simi Valley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Essel is seeking an Operations Engineer to join our team. As an Operations Engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring... more
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Ampcus
Sacramento, CA
Ampcus | Sacramento, CA
Security EngineerAmpcus Inc. is a certified global provider of a broad range of Technology and Business consulting services. We are in search of a highly m... more
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Corridor Security Inc
San Francisco, CA
Corridor Security Inc | San Francisco, CA
Security EngineerAI has changed software development. Security hasn't caught up until now. Corridor is changing the game of product security, giving develo... more
4 Days Ago
Sierra
San Francisco, CA
Sierra | San Francisco, CA
Security LeadAt Sierra, we're creating a platform to help businesses build better, more human customer experiences with AI. We are primarily an in-person c... more
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Covenant HR
San Francisco, CA
Covenant HR | San Francisco, CA
Company. – A well-funded, fast-growing AI software company building enterprise AI products used by Fortune 500 organizations. The company develops AI-power... more
8 Days Ago
Glean.info
San Francisco, CA
Glean.info | San Francisco, CA
Security Engineer, Application SecurityGlean is the Work AI platform that helps everyone work smarter with AI. What began as the industry's most advanced e... more
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