Security Engineer Salary in San Francisco (2026)
Quick Answer
How much does security engineer in San Francisco make?
Want a personalized salary estimate?
Our Know Your Worth tool uses your exact experience in San Francisco and skills to calculate where you land in the range for Security Engineer roles.
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.
Found your target salary? Now land the role.
Paste a Security Engineer job posting and get an ATS-optimized resume tailored to the role — plus a match score showing exactly where you stand.
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 47/100 means relatively affordable living costs compared to major tech centers. A $186,953 median gives security engineer professionals here strong purchasing power that stretches further than the same salary in cities like San Francisco or Zurich.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS Developer | San Francisco | $87,391 - $234,519 | $135,494 |
| UX Designer | San Francisco | $101,000 - $168,000 | $114,579 |
| Full Stack Developer | San Francisco | $122,405 - $206,683 | $158,000 |
| Backend Engineer | San Francisco | $123,985 - $291,411 | $190,081 |
| Frontend Engineer | San Francisco | $89,000 - $240,000 | $147,625 |
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.
Tech Salaries in San Francisco 2026: The Full Breakdown by Role
SF tech salaries: $115K–$300K+. ML engineers and security engineers top the charts, but California taxes and rent eat into take-home pay.
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.
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.
Not sure if Security Engineer is the right fit? Take our free career quiz to discover roles that match your skills and goals.
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.
Data Source & Methodology
Salary data for security engineer in San Francisco is compiled from multiple verified sources including:
- Public salary reports from major tech employers (FAANG, Fortune 500, and high-growth startups)
- Government labor statistics and occupational wage surveys
- Aggregated self-reported compensation data from verified professionals
- Job posting analysis from major tech job boards and company career pages
All figures represent base salary in USD and are normalized to annual equivalents. Ranges reflect the 25th to 75th percentile of reported compensation, while median values represent the 50th percentile. Data is updated quarterly to reflect current market conditions.
Last updated: April 2026 | Sample size: Varies by role and location (minimum 30 data points required for publication)