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Create CVIf you’re researching information security analyst salary US, you’re likely trying to understand not just what the average pay is, but what you can realistically earn, how compensation scales with experience, and how to break into higher-paying cybersecurity roles.
As a recruiter and compensation strategist in the US cybersecurity market, I’ll break down real salary ranges, total compensation structures, and how hiring decisions are actually made for information security analysts.
This guide reflects real hiring budgets, security talent scarcity, and how top candidates consistently command higher compensation.
The average salary for an information security analyst in the US varies significantly depending on experience, certifications, industry, and security specialization.
Entry-level (0–2 years): $70,000 – $95,000
Mid-level (3–5 years): $95,000 – $130,000
Senior (6–10 years): $120,000 – $165,000
Lead / Principal: $150,000 – $200,000+
Top 10% (FinTech, Big Tech, elite security roles): $220,000 – $300,000+ total compensation
Average base salary: ~$110,000
Base salary: $70,000 – $95,000
Bonus: $5,000 – $10,000
Equity: Rare outside startups
Typical entry paths:
IT support → security analyst
SOC analyst → security analyst
Cybersecurity degree graduates
Recruiter insight: Entry-level candidates with hands-on labs, certifications (Security+, CySA+), or internships can push toward the top of the range.
When evaluating information security analyst salary per year, you must include full total compensation.
Base salary
Annual performance bonus
Signing bonus (common in high-demand roles)
Equity (more common in tech companies)
Benefits (healthcare, 401k, PTO)
Mid-Level Security Analyst (Enterprise Company)
Base: $115,000
Average total compensation (TC): $120,000 – $150,000
Key insight: Cybersecurity salaries are rising faster than many other IT roles due to persistent talent shortages and increasing regulatory pressure.
Base salary: $95,000 – $130,000
Bonus: 10% – 15%
Equity: $10,000 – $50,000 (select companies)
At this level, salary is driven by:
Incident response experience
Security tools expertise (SIEM, EDR)
Ability to independently manage security operations
Base salary: $120,000 – $165,000
Bonus: 15% – 20%
Equity: $30,000 – $120,000
Top-tier senior analysts (FinTech / Big Tech):
Hiring manager reality: Senior analysts are valued for:
Threat detection and mitigation
Security architecture input
Leadership during incidents
Base salary: $150,000 – $190,000
Bonus: 20% – 30%
Equity: $80,000 – $250,000+
Total compensation: $200,000 – $300,000+
Key insight: At this level, compensation shifts from execution to:
Strategic risk management
Cross-functional leadership
Security program ownership
Bonus: $12,000
Total: ~$127,000
Senior Security Analyst (FinTech Company)
Base: $150,000
Bonus: $25,000
RSUs: $70,000/year
Total: ~$245,000
Key insight: In cybersecurity, base salary makes up a larger percentage of total comp compared to software engineering, but equity is increasing in tech-heavy sectors.
Salary: $80,000 – $120,000
Entry-heavy field
Lower ceiling without progression
Salary: $100,000 – $150,000
High demand due to breach response needs
Faster salary growth
Salary: $110,000 – $160,000
Requires advanced analytical skills
Often tied to government or large enterprises
Salary: $120,000 – $180,000
One of the highest-paying specializations
Strong demand due to cloud migration
Salary: $130,000 – $190,000
Close to software engineering compensation levels
High barrier to entry
Recruiter insight: Moving into cloud or application security is one of the fastest ways to increase salary.
Total compensation: $140,000 – $250,000+
High regulatory pressure
Strong bonuses
Total compensation: $160,000 – $280,000+
Equity-heavy packages
Structured career progression
Salary: $90,000 – $140,000
Strong job stability
Lower ceiling but excellent benefits
Salary: $100,000 – $150,000
Growing demand due to compliance (HIPAA)
Salary: $100,000 – $160,000
High workload
Fast career growth
San Francisco: $140,000 – $190,000
New York City: $130,000 – $180,000
Washington DC: $130,000 – $175,000 (government demand)
Austin: $110,000 – $140,000
Atlanta: $105,000 – $135,000
Increasingly common in cybersecurity
Slight pay adjustments (10%–20%) based on location
Trend: Cybersecurity roles are more remote-friendly than many tech roles, helping equalize salaries nationally.
High-impact certifications include:
CISSP
CISM
CEH
AWS Security Specialty
Reality: Certifications help you pass HR filters, but experience drives salary increases.
Candidates who have:
Managed breaches
Led incident response
Built security systems
…earn significantly more than those with theoretical knowledge.
Companies with:
Sensitive data
Regulatory requirements
High cyber risk
…pay higher salaries for security talent.
Cybersecurity remains one of the most talent-constrained fields, driving salaries upward.
Weak Example: Staying in basic SOC monitoring roles
Good Example: Transitioning into:
Cloud security
Application security
Security engineering
Participate in incident response
Work on live security environments
Contribute to security tooling
Use certifications to unlock interviews
Combine with hands-on experience
Weak Example: Staying in one company for small annual raises
Good Example:
Switching companies every 2–3 years
Targeting higher-budget organizations
Certifications without real experience do not significantly increase compensation.
SOC roles can stagnate salaries if you don’t transition upward.
Many candidates accept first offers without understanding:
Salary bands
Bonus potential
Signing bonus flexibility
Cybersecurity salaries are expected to grow due to:
Rising cyber threats
Regulatory compliance requirements
Increased cloud adoption
Cloud security
AI security
Zero trust architecture
DevSecOps
Projection: Senior cybersecurity professionals will consistently reach $200K+ total compensation, with top-tier roles exceeding $300K.
Entry-level: $70K – $95K
Mid-level: $95K – $130K
Senior: $120K – $165K
Top roles: $200K – $300K+
Your salary as an information security analyst depends on:
Specialization
Experience
Industry
Negotiation strategy
If you approach your career strategically, cybersecurity offers one of the fastest paths to high-income technical roles in the US job market.
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