How much does an Application Security Engineer make in United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for an Application Security Engineer in United States is around $98,143, with an hourly rate of $47, according to Salary.com Global Salary IQ data . This number represents the median. The average salary ranges from $86,779 (25th percentile) to $111,081 (75th percentile). An Application Security Engineer's salary is shaped by several key factors, including experience level, specific skills, industry differences, company size, and cost-of-living adjustments based on location. Below, we’ll dive deeper into each of these factors to help you understand how they impact compensation.

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Application Security Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,081 $9,257 $2,136 $53
Average $98,143 $8,179 $1,887 $47
25th Percentile $86,779 $7,232 $1,669 $42

Average Salary

25% $86,779 10% $76,433 90% $122,861 75% $111,081 $98,143 50%(Median)
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What is the hourly rate of an Application Security Engineer?

$86,779
Average
$98,143/year
$111,081
$7,232
Average
$8,179/month
$9,257
$1,669
Average
$1,887/week
$2,136
$42
Average
$47/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,081 $9,257 $2,136 $53
Average $98,143 $8,179 $1,887 $47
25th Percentile $86,779 $7,232 $1,669 $42
Use our Salary Calculator to explore typical earnings for an Application Security Engineer, including an hourly rate of $47, weekly pay of $1,887, monthly pay of $8,179, and an annual salary of $98,143. Based on Salary IQ data from real job postings, this tool helps you convert a salary between its hourly, weekly, biweekly, monthly, and annually.

What is the pay difference between an Entry Application Security Engineer and an Expert Application Security Engineer?

Experience and job level are key drivers of an Application Security Engineer's salary. Entry Application Security Engineers earn around $94,412, while Intermediate Application Security Engineers make $94,751. Senior Application Security Engineers see salaries rise to $99,109, and Expert Application Security Engineers can earn up to $104,902. These numbers show a clear trend: as experience grows, so does earning potential. This reflects the IT industry's strong value placed on experience level.
Levels Salary
Entry Level Application Security Engineer $94,412
Intermediate Level Application Security Engineer $94,751
Senior Level Application Security Engineer $99,109
Specialist Level Application Security Engineer $104,516
Expert Level Application Security Engineer $104,902
$94,412 0 yr
$94,751 < 2 yrs
$99,109 2-4 yrs
$104,516 5-8 yrs
$104,902 > 8 yrs
Entry Level 4%
Mid Level 3%
Senior Level 1%
Top Level 6%
Experienced 7%
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What state pays the most for Application Security Engineers?

From April 01, 2026, District of Columbia offers the highest Application Security Engineer salaries in the United States, ranging from $96,082 to $122,989 followed by California at $95,718 - $122,523. While these states provide top pay for Application Security Engineer, high living costs impact earnings. Rhode Island and Hawaii offer competitive salaries with lower expenses, making them attractive options for the role.
Rank State Average Salary
1 District of Columbia $108,664
2 California $108,252
3 Massachusetts $106,809
4 Washington $106,416
5 New Jersey $106,377
6 Alaska $106,240
7 Connecticut $104,885
8 New York $104,336
9 Hawaii $102,579
10 Rhode Island $101,755

What is the highest paying city for Application Security Engineers?

The highest-paying cities for Application Security Engineers in the USA are primarily concentrated in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, with locations such as Menlo Park, Cupertino, Mountain View, and San Francisco offering some of the most competitive salaries. This is largely due to the presence of tech giants like Google, Apple, Meta, and Tesla, which continuously seek top talent and offer lucrative compensation packages and performance-based bonuses. The average annual salary for Application Security Engineers in San Francisco is $122,571.
City Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate
San Jose, CA $123,788 $60
San Francisco, CA $122,571 $59
Oakland, CA $119,852 $58
New York, NY $113,738 $55
Queens Village, NY $113,002 $54
Paramus, NJ $112,217 $54
Passaic, NJ $112,119 $54
Bergenfield, NJ $112,020 $54
Stamford, CT $111,873 $54
Huntington, NY $111,775 $54

Job Openings for Application Security Engineers

What is the salary trend for Application Security Engineer?

As we look ahead to 2025, the salary trend for Application Security Engineers in the US is projected to show a significant upward trajectory. The average salary is expected to reach around $130,000, reflecting a salary increase percentage of approximately 10% from 2023. The median rate may hover around $125,000, driven by the growing demand for cybersecurity expertise. As organizations prioritize application security, professionals in this field can anticipate robust compensation growth, making it a lucrative career choice.

Which skills can increase the salary of an Application Security Engineer?

For an Application Security Engineer, several skills can significantly enhance salary potential. Key skills include Secure Coding Practices (30% increase, average salary $29,442.91), Penetration Testing (35% increase, average salary $34,350.06), and Application Security Tools (30% increase, average salary $29,442.91). The median salary for these skills reflects their high demand in the cybersecurity field, driving competitive compensation. Mastering these skills not only boosts the average salary but also positions professionals for advanced roles, making them invaluable in safeguarding applications against threats.

Average Application Security Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company size significantly impacts the salary of an Application Security Engineer. In smaller companies (1-50 employees), salaries typically range from $80,000 to $110,000, with a median of around $95,000. In mid-sized firms (51-500 employees), salaries increase to $90,000-$130,000, with a median of $110,000. Larger companies (500+ employees) often offer $100,000-$150,000, with a median salary of $125,000. This trend highlights how the number of employees influences compensation in the tech industry.
Top companies for Application Security Engineers include Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. Google offers a salary range of $120,000 to $180,000, with a median salary of $150,000. Amazon's range is $110,000 to $160,000, with a median of $135,000. Microsoft pays between $115,000 and $170,000, averaging $140,000. These companies pay higher due to their focus on cutting-edge technology, robust security measures, and the demand for skilled professionals in a competitive market.

Does education make a difference in salary for an Application Security Engineer?

Education plays a crucial role in determining the salary of Application Security Engineers. Typically, those with a bachelor's degree earn an average salary of $90,000, while master's degree holders can see salaries rise to $120,000. Advanced certifications further enhance earning potential, making education a key factor in this field.