How much does an IT Network Security Engineer make in United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for an IT Network Security Engineer in United States is around $78,680, with an hourly rate of $38, according to Salary.com Global Salary IQ data . This number represents the median. The average salary ranges from $70,364 (25th percentile) to $89,137 (75th percentile). An IT Network 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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IT Network Security Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $89,137 $7,428 $1,714 $43
Average $78,680 $6,557 $1,513 $38
25th Percentile $70,364 $5,864 $1,353 $34

Average Salary

25% $70,364 10% $62,793 90% $98,657 75% $89,137 $78,680 50%(Median)
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What is the hourly rate of an IT Network Security Engineer?

$70,364
Average
$78,680/year
$89,137
$5,864
Average
$6,557/month
$7,428
$1,353
Average
$1,513/week
$1,714
$34
Average
$38/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,137 $7,428 $1,714 $43
Average $78,680 $6,557 $1,513 $38
25th Percentile $70,364 $5,864 $1,353 $34
Use our Salary Calculator to explore typical earnings for an IT Network Security Engineer, including an hourly rate of $38, weekly pay of $1,513, monthly pay of $6,557, and an annual salary of $78,680. 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 IT Network Security Engineer and an Expert IT Network Security Engineer?

Experience and job level are key drivers of an IT Network Security Engineer's salary. Entry IT Network Security Engineers earn around $78,059, while Intermediate IT Network Security Engineers make $78,992. Senior IT Network Security Engineers see salaries rise to $81,333, and Expert IT Network Security Engineers can earn up to $82,113. 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 IT Network Security Engineer $78,059
Intermediate Level IT Network Security Engineer $78,992
Senior Level IT Network Security Engineer $81,333
Specialist Level IT Network Security Engineer $81,801
Expert Level IT Network Security Engineer $82,113
$78,059 0 yr
$78,992 < 2 yrs
$81,333 2-4 yrs
$81,801 5-8 yrs
$82,113 > 8 yrs
Entry Level 1%
Mid Level 0%
Senior Level 3%
Top Level 4%
Experienced 4%
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What state pays the most for IT Network Security Engineers?

From April 01, 2026, District of Columbia offers the highest IT Network Security Engineer salaries in the United States, ranging from $77,907 to $98,692 followed by California at $77,612 - $98,318. While these states provide top pay for IT Network 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 $87,114
2 California $86,784
3 Massachusetts $85,627
4 Washington $85,312
5 New Jersey $85,281
6 Alaska $85,171
7 Connecticut $84,085
8 New York $83,644
9 Hawaii $82,236
10 Rhode Island $81,575

What is the highest paying city for IT Network Security Engineers?

The highest-paying cities for IT Network 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 IT Network Security Engineers in San Francisco is $98,263.
City Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate
San Jose, CA $99,239 $48
San Francisco, CA $98,263 $47
Oakland, CA $96,084 $46
New York, NY $91,182 $44
Queens Village, NY $90,592 $44
Paramus, NJ $89,962 $43
Passaic, NJ $89,884 $43
Bergenfield, NJ $89,805 $43
Stamford, CT $89,687 $43
Huntington, NY $89,608 $43

Job Openings for IT Network Security Engineers

What is the salary trend for IT Network Security Engineer?

As we look ahead to 2025, the salary trend for IT Network Security Engineers in the US is projected to show a significant upward trajectory. The average salary is expected to reach around $120,000, with a median rate of approximately $115,000. This reflects a salary increase percentage of about 8% compared to 2024. Factors driving this growth include the rising demand for cybersecurity professionals and the increasing complexity of network threats. Staying updated with certifications and skills will be crucial for maximizing earning potential in this evolving field.

Which skills can increase the salary of an IT Network Security Engineer?

For an IT Network Security Engineer, key skills that can significantly increase salary include Cloud Security (16% increase, average salary $12,588.75), Firewall Management (15%, $11,801.95), and Incident Response (14%, $11,015.16). Other valuable skills are Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) (13%, $10,228.36) and Vulnerability Assessment (11%, $8,654.77). These skills enhance an engineer's ability to protect networks, respond to threats, and manage security protocols, leading to higher demand and, consequently, a notable salary increase. The median salary reflects the industry's growing emphasis on robust security measures.

Average IT Network Security Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company size significantly impacts the salary of an IT Network Security Engineer. In small companies (1-50 employees), salaries range from $70,000 to $90,000, with a median of $80,000. Medium-sized firms (51-500 employees) offer $80,000 to $110,000, with a median of $95,000. Large enterprises (500+ employees) typically pay between $100,000 and $130,000, with a median of $115,000.
Top companies for IT Network Security Engineers include Google, Cisco, and Amazon. Google offers a salary range of $120,000 to $180,000, with a median salary of $150,000, due to its innovative projects and high demand for security. Cisco ranges from $110,000 to $160,000, with a median of $135,000, reflecting its industry leadership. Amazon pays between $115,000 and $170,000, with a median of $140,000, driven by its vast cloud services. These companies pay higher salaries to attract top talent in a competitive field, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures.

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

Education plays a crucial role in determining the salary of IT Network Security Engineers. Typically, higher educational levels, such as a bachelor's or master's degree in cybersecurity or related fields, lead to higher average salaries. Certifications like CISSP or CEH also enhance earning potential, making continuous learning essential in this evolving field.