Cybersecurity55% remote-eligible+8.5% YoY growth

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Salary
by City (2026)

Lead enterprise security strategy, risk management, and compliance programs. National median: $240K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$240K

Top 10% earn

$400K

Entry level

$180K

Salary growth

+8.5%/yr

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$297K	$396K	$512K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$284K	$379K	$490K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$268K	$357K	$461K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$266K	$355K	$459K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$266K	$354K	$458K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$266K	$354K	$458K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$256K	$342K	$441K	175	None ✓
Seattle, WA	$256K	$341K	$440K	150	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$253K	$338K	$436K	172	9.3%
Washington, DC	$252K	$336K	$434K	152	8.5%
Boston, MA	$248K	$331K	$428K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$248K	$331K	$428K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$246K	$329K	$424K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$246K	$329K	$424K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$244K	$325K	$419K	162	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$243K	$324K	$419K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$243K	$324K	$419K	148	5.75%
Stamford, CT	$240K	$319K	$413K	158	6.99%
Newark, NJ	$238K	$317K	$409K	155	10.75%
Hilo, HI	$237K	$316K	$408K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$234K	$312K	$403K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$232K	$309K	$399K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$230K	$307K	$397K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$230K	$306K	$396K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$230K	$306K	$396K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$227K	$302K	$391K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$227K	$302K	$391K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$222K	$296K	$382K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$220K	$294K	$379K	138	9.3%
Edison, NJ	$220K	$294K	$379K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$220K	$294K	$379K	138	None ✓
Austin, TX	$220K	$293K	$378K	110	None ✓
Portland, OR	$220K	$293K	$378K	130	9.9%
Sacramento, CA	$212K	$283K	$366K	128	9.3%
Tacoma, WA	$212K	$283K	$366K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$212K	$283K	$366K	118	4.55%
Plano, TX	$207K	$276K	$357K	105	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$207K	$276K	$357K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$207K	$276K	$357K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$207K	$276K	$357K	120	5%
Salt Lake City, UT	$207K	$276K	$357K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$207K	$276K	$357K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$207K	$276K	$357K	192	11%
New Haven, CT	$204K	$273K	$352K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$203K	$270K	$349K	120	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$202K	$269K	$347K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$202K	$269K	$347K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$202K	$269K	$347K	123	None ✓
Durham, NC	$202K	$269K	$347K	100	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$202K	$269K	$347K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$202K	$269K	$347K	106	6.8%
Frisco, TX	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$201K	$267K	$345K	118	5.99%
Hialeah, FL	$198K	$264K	$340K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$198K	$264K	$340K	115	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$198K	$264K	$341K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$198K	$264K	$340K	115	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$198K	$264K	$341K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$198K	$264K	$341K	102	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$198K	$264K	$340K	115	4.25%
Provo, UT	$198K	$264K	$341K	100	4.85%
Frederick, MD	$198K	$264K	$340K	115	5.75%
Hartford, CT	$198K	$264K	$341K	118	6.99%
Portland, ME	$198K	$264K	$340K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$198K	$264K	$340K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$198K	$264K	$340K	115	5.99%
Anchorage, AK	$198K	$264K	$341K	128	None ✓
Irving, TX	$194K	$259K	$335K	97	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$194K	$259K	$335K	118	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$195K	$259K	$335K	112	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$194K	$259K	$335K	105	2.5%
Fort Collins, CO	$195K	$259K	$335K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$195K	$259K	$335K	112	4.75%
St. Paul, MN	$194K	$259K	$335K	104	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$193K	$257K	$332K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$191K	$254K	$329K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$191K	$254K	$329K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$191K	$254K	$329K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$191K	$254K	$329K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$191K	$254K	$329K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$191K	$254K	$329K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$189K	$252K	$326K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$189K	$252K	$326K	93	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$189K	$252K	$326K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$189K	$252K	$326K	100	2.5%
Charlotte, NC	$189K	$252K	$326K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$189K	$252K	$326K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$189K	$252K	$326K	90	3.07%
Reno, NV	$189K	$252K	$326K	108	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$188K	$250K	$323K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$188K	$250K	$323K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$188K	$250K	$323K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$188K	$250K	$323K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$188K	$250K	$323K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$185K	$246K	$318K	102	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$185K	$246K	$318K	102	6.75%
Arlington, TX	$184K	$245K	$316K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$184K	$245K	$316K	91	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$184K	$245K	$316K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$184K	$245K	$316K	88	5%
Denton, TX	$183K	$244K	$315K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$183K	$244K	$315K	100	9.3%
Cape Coral, FL	$183K	$244K	$315K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$183K	$244K	$315K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$183K	$244K	$315K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$183K	$244K	$315K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$183K	$244K	$315K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$183K	$244K	$315K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	5.75%
North Las Vegas, NV	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$181K	$241K	$312K	98	7.15%
St. Petersburg, FL	$180K	$240K	$310K	105	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$180K	$240K	$310K	98	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$180K	$240K	$310K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$180K	$240K	$310K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$180K	$240K	$310K	102	5.3%
Charleston, SC	$180K	$240K	$310K	105	6.5%
Bakersfield, CA	$178K	$237K	$307K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$178K	$237K	$307K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$178K	$237K	$307K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$178K	$237K	$307K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$178K	$237K	$307K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$178K	$237K	$307K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$178K	$237K	$307K	95	6.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$176K	$235K	$304K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$176K	$235K	$304K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$176K	$235K	$304K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$176K	$235K	$304K	102	None ✓
Midland, TX	$175K	$234K	$302K	92	None ✓
Athens, GA	$175K	$234K	$302K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$175K	$234K	$302K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$175K	$234K	$302K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$175K	$234K	$302K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$173K	$231K	$298K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$173K	$231K	$298K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$173K	$231K	$298K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$173K	$231K	$298K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$173K	$231K	$298K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$173K	$231K	$298K	90	2.5%
Cincinnati, OH	$173K	$230K	$298K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$173K	$230K	$298K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$173K	$230K	$298K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$173K	$230K	$298K	90	5.3%
Pasadena, TX	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$171K	$228K	$295K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$171K	$228K	$295K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$171K	$228K	$295K	93	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$171K	$228K	$295K	82	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$171K	$228K	$295K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$168K	$224K	$290K	85	4.9%
San Antonio, TX	$166K	$221K	$285K	87	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$166K	$221K	$285K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$166K	$221K	$285K	95	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$166K	$221K	$285K	85	5%
Mobile, AL	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	4.75%
Des Moines, IA	$166K	$221K	$285K	88	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$165K	$221K	$285K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$163K	$218K	$281K	80	5%
Cleveland, OH	$162K	$216K	$279K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$162K	$216K	$279K	90	4.25%
New Orleans, LA	$162K	$216K	$279K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$162K	$216K	$279K	88	5.84%
Abilene, TX	$161K	$215K	$278K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$161K	$215K	$278K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$161K	$215K	$278K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$161K	$215K	$278K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$161K	$215K	$278K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$161K	$215K	$278K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$159K	$211K	$273K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$158K	$211K	$273K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$158K	$211K	$273K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$158K	$211K	$273K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$158K	$211K	$273K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$158K	$211K	$273K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$158K	$211K	$273K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$158K	$211K	$273K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$158K	$211K	$273K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$158K	$211K	$273K	88	5.9%
Fort Smith, AR	$159K	$211K	$273K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$159K	$211K	$273K	75	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$153K	$204K	$264K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$153K	$204K	$264K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$153K	$204K	$264K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$148K	$197K	$254K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$148K	$197K	$254K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$144K	$192K	$248K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$135K	$180K	$233K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $240K Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is $240,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $180,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $310,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)s nationally earn $400,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS or Security; CISSP required. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) compensation is growing at 8.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)s significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) salary FAQ

How much does a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) make?

The median Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) salary in the US is $240,000 per year — about $115/hour. Most earn between $180,000 (25th percentile) and $310,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)?

Entry-level Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) positions typically start around $180,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)s earn?

The top 10% of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)s earn $400,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)s the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) salary at $396K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) salaries going up?

Yes — Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) pay is growing about 8.5% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Salaryby City (2026)