Security Analyst Salary Guide 2026
Financial hubs prioritizing threat detection.
National Median: $118,000
Range: $91K – $272K
3-Year Growth Trend: +5.2% · Source: Built In; Splunk
Avg Total Comp
$145,000
Experience Level
Cybersecurity median $130k in Chicago; cleared professionals command +15% in DC.
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High Demand Track
Market demand for Security Analyst is at an all-time high. Join the Vetta Marketplace to access verified offers from employers hiring at these benchmarks.
Metro Area Breakdown
20 Markets| Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA | $159,300 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA | $156,940 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ-PA | $146,320 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH | $143,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA | $141,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV | $141,600 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA | $141,600 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad CA | $135,700 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI | $130,139 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood CO | $127,440 |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown TX | $123,900 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington TX | $123,900 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta GA | $121,540 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach FL | $120,360 |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary NC | $118,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI | $115,640 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia NC-SC | $115,640 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler AZ | $114,460 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MI | $113,280 |
| Salt Lake City UT | $112,100 |
"Calculated" benchmarks are derived from the national median using verified geographic cost-of-living multipliers. "Verified" entries are sourced directly from Built In; Splunk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a Security Analyst in 2026?
The national median salary for a Security Analyst in 2026 is $118,000. Base salaries range from $91K to $272K depending on experience level and location.
Which city pays Security Analysts the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA offers the highest median salary for Security Analysts at $159,300. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA is a close second at $156,940.
How fast are Security Analyst salaries growing?
Security Analyst salaries have grown at 5.2% over the past three years, making it a stable-growth role. Financial hubs prioritizing threat detection.
What is the salary range for an entry-level Security Analyst?
Entry-level Security Analyst salaries start around $91K annually at the national level. Tier 1 cities like San Francisco and New York start 20–35% higher. Specialization in AI and cloud-adjacent skills accelerates entry compensation.
What total compensation should a Security Analyst expect?
Subscribe to the Vetta newsletter to access average total compensation data including equity and bonus breakdowns for Security Analyst roles across all 20 metro areas.