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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Security Engineer Salary in Los Angeles: $182K Median

Security Engineers in Los Angeles, CA earn between $118K and $300K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $142,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $181,760 per year — +28% above the US national median of $142,000. Salaries range from $118,144 (entry, 25th percentile) to $299,904 (90th percentile). Security Engineers in Los Angeles earned approximately $29,316 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$181,760
+520.0% YoY · $15,147/mo
Entry
$141,773
0–2 years
Experienced
$239,923
5+ years
Top 10%
$299,904
Senior/lead
Security Engineer Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$182K
San Diego
$168K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$220K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$135K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Security Engineers in Los Angeles

Security engineers design and implement systems that protect organizations from cyber threats. They build secure infrastructure, perform threat modeling, and respond to incidents.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design secure infrastructure and architectures
  • Perform threat modeling and risk assessments
  • Implement zero-trust controls and EDR tooling
  • Lead incident response and forensics
  • Build security automation and tooling

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree + security certifications (or equivalent experience)

In-demand certifications

CISSPSecurity+OSCPCEHCISMAWS Security Specialty

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Security Engineers

Major employers active in Los Angeles or hiring remotely from this metro.

CrowdStrike
Palo Alto Networks
Mandiant
Microsoft
Google
Amazon
Cloudflare
Okta

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Security Engineer listings.

zero-trustcloud security (AWS/GCP)threat modelingEDR/XDRKubernetes securityAI security

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CISSPzero-trustthreat modelingEDRSIEMpenetration testingcloud securityIAMincident responseNIST
Career Outlook
+32% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Security engineer demand projected to grow 32% through 2034 — among the fastest in tech. Severe talent shortage with 700K+ unfilled US cybersecurity roles.

Security Engineer Salary Breakdown — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$118,144$181,760$299,904
Monthly$9,845$15,147$24,992
Weekly$2,272$3,495$5,767
Hourly$57$87$144

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($142,000) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Security Engineer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$125,244.08
Per month$10,437
Biweekly paycheck$4,817
Effective tax rate31.1%

Tax Breakdown on $181,760

Gross salary$181,760
Federal income tax−$32,965.4
California state tax−$9,996.8
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$13,553.72
Take-home (net)$125,244.08

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Security Engineer Salary by Experience — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Security Engineers in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$130,431
2–3 yr$141,773
4–6 yr$190,848
7–10 yr$239,923
11–15 yr$283,109
15+ yr$269,914

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$29,316
2026 median:$181,760
Change:+$152,444

Technology sector growth driven by demand for zero-trust and cloud security (AWS/GCP).

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$105,064
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Security Engineer Salary in Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $158,052 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $240K–$300K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific zero-trust/cloud security (AWS/GCP) expertise.

Security Engineer Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles is $181,760 per year as of April 2026 — $15,147/month, $3,495/week, or about $87/hour. Salaries range from $118,144 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $299,904 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $181,760 a good Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $181,760 a real purchasing power of approximately $105,064 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $181,760 in Los Angeles?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $181,760 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $181,760 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $181,760 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $181,760 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $181,760 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $181,760 each ($363,520 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $181,760 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $181,760 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Los Angeles?
On a $181,760 Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $125,244.08 per year ($10,437/month, $4,817 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $32,965.4, state $9,996.8, FICA $13,553.72. Effective tax rate: 31.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Security Engineers in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Security Engineers in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($142,000 nationally vs $181,760 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $105,064 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Security Engineer earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Security Engineers in Los Angeles typically start at around $141,773 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Security Engineers earn $239,923 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $299,904+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Security Engineer salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Security Engineer salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $29,316 in 2025 to $181,760 in 2026 (+$152,444). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by zero-trust and cloud security (AWS/GCP) demand.
What's the job outlook for Security Engineers in Los Angeles?
Security engineer demand projected to grow 32% through 2034 — among the fastest in tech. Severe talent shortage with 700K+ unfilled US cybersecurity roles. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Security Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Security Engineers are: zero-trust, cloud security (AWS/GCP), threat modeling, EDR/XDR, Kubernetes security, AI security. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Security Engineers in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Security Engineers in or near Los Angeles include: CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Mandiant, Microsoft, Google, Amazon. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (zero-trust, cloud security (AWS/GCP), threat modeling) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CISSP or Security+). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Security Engineer in Los Angeles?
Bachelor's degree + security certifications (or equivalent experience) is the typical path. However, Los Angeles's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Security Engineer salary figures for Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($142,000) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Los Angeles

Cybersecurity Analyst →DevOps Engineer →Software Engineer →Data Scientist →Product Manager →Web Developer →

Security Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$168KSan Francisco, CA$220KSeattle, WA$187KWashington, DC$185KBoston, MA$185KFresno, CA$135KSacramento, CA$153KLong Beach, CA$170K

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