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2026 Salary Data — Louisville, KY
Updated April 28, 2026

Security Engineer Salary in Louisville: $129K Median

Security Engineers in Louisville, KY earn between $84K and $213K per year.

That's -9% below the US national median of $142,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Security Engineer salary in Louisville, KY is $129,220 per year — -9% below the US national median of $142,000. Salaries range from $83,993 (entry, 25th percentile) to $213,213 (90th percentile). Security Engineers in Louisville earned approximately $20,842 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$129,220
+520.0% YoY · $10,768/mo
Entry
$100,792
0–2 years
Experienced
$170,570
5+ years
Top 10%
$213,213
Senior/lead
Security Engineer Salary — Louisville vs Nearby
Louisville
$129K
Indianapolis
$132K
-2% vs Louisville
Detroit
$132K
-2% vs Louisville
Cleveland
$131K
-1% vs Louisville

Free ATS scan · Louisville employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Security Engineers in Louisville

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

Louisville Job Market

Healthcare and logistics hub with affordable cost of living.

Population
630K
Cost of Living
89
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$235K

Top Industries in Louisville

Healthcare (Humana)Logistics (UPS)Manufacturing (Ford)Bourbon

Top Employers Hiring Security Engineers

Major employers active in Louisville 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 — Louisville

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$83,993$129,220$213,213
Monthly$6,999$10,768$17,768
Weekly$1,615$2,485$4,100
Hourly$40$62$103

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($142,000) adjusted for Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier (0.91×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Security Engineer Take-Home Pay in Louisville

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$90,644.18
Per month$7,554
Biweekly paycheck$3,486
Effective tax rate29.9%

Tax Breakdown on $129,220

Gross salary$129,220
Federal income tax−$20,355.8
Kentucky state tax−$5,168.8
Louisville local tax−$3,165.89
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,885.33
Take-home (net)$90,644.18

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 — Louisville

Career-stage progression for Security Engineers in Louisville.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$92,729
2–3 yr$100,792
4–6 yr$135,681
7–10 yr$170,570
11–15 yr$201,273
15+ yr$191,892

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Louisville's 0.91× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,842
2026 median:$129,220
Change:+$108,378

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
$145,191
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Security Engineer Salary in Louisville

Walk-away anchor: $112,365 (offers below this are below market for Louisville).

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 $171K–$213K for experienced roles, citing Louisville market data and your specific zero-trust/cloud security (AWS/GCP) expertise.

Security Engineer Salary FAQ — Louisville

What is the average Security Engineer salary in Louisville, KY?
The average Security Engineer salary in Louisville is $129,220 per year as of April 2026 — $10,768/month, $2,485/week, or about $62/hour. Salaries range from $83,993 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $213,213 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier (0.91×).
Is $129,220 a good Security Engineer salary in Louisville?
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. Louisville's cost-of-living index is 89 (vs 100 nationally), giving $129,220 a real purchasing power of approximately $145,191 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $129,220 in Louisville?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Louisville specifically (median home price $235,000), a $129,220 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $129,220 enough for a single person in Louisville?
A single adult in Louisville typically needs ~$40,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $129,220 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $129,220 enough for a couple in Louisville?
A couple (one earner) in Louisville typically needs ~$64,080 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $129,220 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $129,220 each ($258,440 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $129,220 enough for a family of 4 in Louisville?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Louisville typically needs ~$97,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $129,220 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Security Engineer income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Louisville typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Louisville?
On a $129,220 Security Engineer salary in Louisville, KY, you take home approximately $90,644.18 per year ($7,554/month, $3,486 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $20,355.8, state $5,168.8, local $3,165.89, FICA $9,885.33. Effective tax rate: 29.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Security Engineers in Louisville earn compared to the US average?
Security Engineers in Louisville earn approximately 9% less than the US national median for this role ($142,000 nationally vs $129,220 in Louisville). However, Louisville's cost-of-living index of 89 means real purchasing power is approximately $145,191 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Security Engineer earn in Louisville?
Entry-level Security Engineers in Louisville typically start at around $100,792 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Security Engineers earn $170,570 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $213,213+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Security Engineer salaries in Louisville increase in 2026?
Yes — Security Engineer salaries in Louisville grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $20,842 in 2025 to $129,220 in 2026 (+$108,378). 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 Louisville?
Security engineer demand projected to grow 32% through 2034 — among the fastest in tech. Severe talent shortage with 700K+ unfilled US cybersecurity roles. Louisville's top industries include Healthcare (Humana), Logistics (UPS), Manufacturing (Ford), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — 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 Louisville.
Who are the top employers hiring Security Engineers in Louisville?
Top employers hiring Security Engineers in or near Louisville 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 Louisville?
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 Louisville?
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 Louisville?
Bachelor's degree + security certifications (or equivalent experience) is the typical path. However, Louisville'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 Louisville are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($142,000) by Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.91× — 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 Louisville

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

Security Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$132KJacksonville, FL$131KIndianapolis, IN$132KDetroit, MI$132KMemphis, TN$125KOklahoma City, OK$125KLas Vegas, NV$135KMilwaukee, WI$135K

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