Security Engineer Salary — 2026 Data
Build secure systems, threat models, and detection pipelines across cloud and product surfaces. Compare compensation across 50 locations, from entry-level to senior positions.
| Location | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $119K – $169K | $169K – $236K | $230K – $324K | 180 |
| New York | $113K – $160K | $160K – $224K | $218K – $307K | 170 |
| San Jose | $118K – $168K | $168K – $235K | $228K – $322K | 178 |
| Seattle | $107K – $153K | $153K – $214K | $207K – $293K | 155 |
| Los Angeles | $101K – $144K | $144K – $201K | $195K – $276K | 150 |
| Boston | $104K – $148K | $148K – $207K | $201K – $283K | 145 |
| Washington D.C. | $106K – $150K | $150K – $210K | $204K – $288K | 150 |
| San Diego | $99K – $140K | $140K – $196K | $190K – $269K | 140 |
| Chicago | $92K – $131K | $131K – $184K | $179K – $252K | 115 |
| Austin | $95K – $135K | $135K – $189K | $184K – $259K | 110 |
| Denver | $92K – $131K | $131K – $184K | $179K – $252K | 120 |
| Atlanta | $88K – $125K | $125K – $175K | $170K – $240K | 105 |
| Dallas | $88K – $125K | $125K – $175K | $170K – $240K | 105 |
| Houston | $87K – $124K | $124K – $173K | $168K – $238K | 102 |
| Miami | $92K – $131K | $131K – $184K | $179K – $252K | 125 |
| Phoenix | $84K – $119K | $119K – $166K | $162K – $228K | 100 |
| Philadelphia | $90K – $128K | $128K – $179K | $173K – $245K | 110 |
| Minneapolis | $90K – $128K | $128K – $179K | $173K – $245K | 108 |
| Portland | $95K – $135K | $135K – $189K | $184K – $259K | 130 |
| San Antonio | $81K – $115K | $115K – $161K | $156K – $221K | 95 |
| Detroit | $83K – $118K | $118K – $165K | $160K – $226K | 95 |
| Raleigh | $86K – $123K | $123K – $172K | $167K – $235K | 102 |
| Charlotte | $86K – $123K | $123K – $172K | $167K – $235K | 102 |
| Nashville | $87K – $124K | $124K – $173K | $168K – $238K | 105 |
| Orlando | $84K – $119K | $119K – $166K | $162K – $228K | 102 |
| Tampa | $84K – $120K | $120K – $168K | $163K – $230K | 100 |
| Jacksonville | $81K – $115K | $115K – $161K | $156K – $221K | 98 |
| Salt Lake City | $86K – $123K | $123K – $172K | $167K – $235K | 108 |
| Pittsburgh | $81K – $115K | $115K – $161K | $156K – $221K | 95 |
| Indianapolis | $81K – $115K | $115K – $161K | $156K – $221K | 95 |
| Columbus | $82K – $116K | $116K – $163K | $158K – $223K | 95 |
| Cleveland | $79K – $113K | $113K – $158K | $153K – $216K | 92 |
| Cincinnati | $80K – $114K | $114K – $159K | $155K – $218K | 94 |
| Kansas City | $83K – $118K | $118K – $165K | $160K – $226K | 95 |
| St. Louis | $81K – $115K | $115K – $161K | $156K – $221K | 92 |
| Milwaukee | $82K – $116K | $116K – $163K | $158K – $223K | 94 |
| Baltimore | $88K – $125K | $125K – $175K | $170K – $240K | 108 |
| Richmond | $84K – $119K | $119K – $166K | $162K – $228K | 100 |
| Virginia Beach | $83K – $118K | $118K – $165K | $160K – $226K | 98 |
| Sacramento | $92K – $131K | $131K – $184K | $179K – $252K | 125 |
| Las Vegas | $86K – $123K | $123K – $172K | $167K – $235K | 108 |
| Oklahoma City | $77K – $110K | $110K – $154K | $150K – $211K | 88 |
| Memphis | $77K – $110K | $110K – $154K | $150K – $211K | 88 |
| Louisville | $79K – $113K | $113K – $158K | $153K – $216K | 90 |
| New Orleans | $81K – $115K | $115K – $161K | $156K – $221K | 95 |
| Albuquerque | $79K – $113K | $113K – $158K | $153K – $216K | 95 |
| Tucson | $79K – $113K | $113K – $158K | $153K – $216K | 95 |
| Buffalo | $79K – $113K | $113K – $158K | $153K – $216K | 90 |
| Honolulu | $92K – $131K | $131K – $184K | $179K – $252K | 175 |
| Remote (US) | $84K – $119K | $119K – $166K | $162K – $228K | 100 |
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