CybersecurityUpdated Q1 2026

Security Architect Salary
in Birmingham, AL

Design and implement security frameworks and architectures for enterprise systems. Median salary in Birmingham: $154K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$154K
per year
Take-home: $101K

Salary range in Birmingham

Entry level (25th)$123,000
Median (50th)$154,000
Senior (75th)$189,000
Top earner (90th)$233,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Birmingham, Alabama. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Birmingham

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

12% discount vs national median

Security Architects in Birmingham earn approximately 12% lower than the US national median for this role — a $21,000 discount on annual base salary. Birmingham's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 82 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Birmingham's cost-of-living index (82), the median Security Architect salary buys the equivalent of $187,805 in a US-average-cost city. That's $12,805 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Strong 9.2% annual wage growth

This role's national salaries are growing at 9.2% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Birmingham median reaches $239,130 in five years.

Key facts for Birmingham

Median salary
$154K
annual
Take-home pay
$101K
after fed/state tax
COL index
82
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,050
per month
YoY growth
+9.2%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Birmingham Security Architect to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $154K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Birmingham

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Security Architect salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$129K$140K$152K$163K$174K201920212023202520272029
2026
$158K
projected
2027
$162K
projected
2028
$166K
projected
2029
$170K
projected
2030
$174K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$154,000+$0
2028 projected$154,000+$0
2029 projected$154,000+$0
2030 projected$154,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Security Architect Salary in Birmingham, Alabama: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Security Architect salary in Birmingham, AL is $154,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Birmingham–AL metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Security Architect in Birmingham

Entry-level Security Architects in Birmingham with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $123,000 and $154,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $154,000 to $189,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $189,000 to $233,000 or more.

Cost of living in Birmingham for Security Architects

Birmingham has a cost of living index of 82 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 18% further in Birmingham than the national average. Alabama has a 5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Security Architect

Bachelor's in CS; CISSP/CISM preferred. This role is 65% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Birmingham-based professionals.

Security Architect salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Birmingham (current)$154K82
Montgomery$140K80
Huntsville$179K88
Mobile$144K82