Security Engineer Salary in San Francisco (2026)
In 2026, Security Engineers in San Francisco earn an average salary of $186,953 per year, with compensation ranging from $111,803 to $312,614, reflecting the city's high demand for cybersecurity expertise.
Key Facts
- Average Security Engineer salary in San Francisco is $186,953 per year.
- Salaries range from $111,803 to $312,614 annually.
- Top companies hiring include Crowe LLP and Crunchyroll.
- San Francisco's cost of living index is 70.4.
- Key skills include Network Security and Penetration Testing.
Salary by Experience Level
- Junior Security Engineer: Salaries typically start around $111,803 per year.
- Mid-Level Security Engineer: Professionals with several years of experience earn approximately $186,953 annually.
- Senior Security Engineer: Experienced engineers can expect salaries up to $312,614 per year.
- Lead Security Engineer: Leadership roles often command higher salaries, averaging around $216,313 annually.
How San Francisco Compares
San Francisco's average Security Engineer salary of $186,953 is significantly higher than the national average, reflecting the city's elevated cost of living and the concentration of tech companies. For comparison, Security Engineers in San Jose earn an average of $175,279, while those in Mountain View make approximately $161,895 per year.
Skills That Command Premium
- Network Security: Ensuring the integrity of network infrastructures.
- Penetration Testing: Identifying vulnerabilities through simulated attacks.
- Cryptography: Securing data through encryption techniques.
- Incident Response: Managing and mitigating security breaches.
- Security Architecture: Designing robust security frameworks.
Work Culture & Benefits
Top companies in San Francisco offer competitive benefits, including flexible work arrangements, continuous learning opportunities, and comprehensive health packages. The city's dynamic tech environment fosters innovation and collaboration, making it an attractive destination for Security Engineers.
Top Hiring Companies
Career Advice
To maximize earning potential, Security Engineers should pursue advanced certifications, stay updated with emerging technologies, and consider roles in leading tech companies in San Francisco.
Security Engineer Insights — San Francisco
Security Engineer salaries in San Francisco range from $111,803 to $312,614, a 107% spread that reflects significant variation based on experience level, specialization, and company size. The median of $186,953 sits below the midpoint, suggesting more positions cluster toward the entry-to-mid-level end of the range.
San Francisco's cost of living index of 70.4/100 makes it one of the more expensive locations for tech professionals. While the $186,953 median is competitive, housing and daily expenses consume a larger share of income compared to lower-cost cities.
The hiring landscape for security engineer in San Francisco is anchored by employers like Crowe LLP, Crunchyroll, and Glassdoor, along with 2 other notable employers. Larger employers in this market typically offer compensation at the upper end of the range, often supplemented with equity, signing bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.
Demand for security engineer in San Francisco centers around expertise in Network Security, Penetration Testing, Cryptography, plus 2 other core competencies. Candidates with strong proficiency across these areas tend to command offers closer to the $312,614 ceiling, and have natural transition paths into roles like Lead Security Engineer or Principal Security Engineer.
Related Roles in San Francisco
Explore salary information for similar positions and compare compensation across different roles.
| Role | Location | Salary Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Engineer | San Francisco | $107,180 - $300,000 | $171,054 |
| Product Manager | San Francisco | $124,264 - $248,937 | $175,881 |
| Android Developer | San Francisco | $114,137 - $272,013 | $176,201 |
| Backend Engineer | San Francisco | $123,985 - $291,411 | $190,081 |
| UX Designer | San Francisco | $101,000 - $168,000 | $114,579 |
Security Engineer Salaries by City
Compare security engineer compensation across different locations
More Tech Salaries in San Francisco
Explore other tech roles and their compensation in San Francisco
📚 Related Articles
Security Engineer Salary in 2026: 5 Cities Compared
What security engineers actually earn in San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, London, and remote — with real 2026 data.
The 14 Highest Paying Tech Jobs in 2026
Which tech roles pay the most? We ranked all 14 major tech positions by salary data from 113 cities worldwide.
7 Signs You're Underpaid (And What to Do)
How to figure out your real market value — and close the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Security Engineer in San Francisco?
The average salary for a Security Engineer in San Francisco is $186,953 per year, with a range from $111,803 to $312,614.
Which companies are hiring Security Engineers in San Francisco?
Top companies hiring Security Engineers in San Francisco include Crowe LLP, Crunchyroll, Glassdoor, Randstad USA, and Salary.com.
How does the cost of living in San Francisco affect Security Engineer salaries?
San Francisco's high cost of living, with an index of 70.4, contributes to higher salaries for Security Engineers to maintain a comparable standard of living.
Now you know the salary. Can you actually land it?
Paste a Security Engineer in San Francisco job posting. See exactly where you match, where you don't, and how to address gaps in your application.