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2026 Salary Data — Philadelphia, PA
Updated April 28, 2026

Security Engineer Salary in Philadelphia: $148K Median

Security Engineers in Philadelphia, PA earn between $96K and $244K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $142,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Security Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA is $147,680 per year — +4% above the US national median of $142,000. Salaries range from $95,992 (entry, 25th percentile) to $243,672 (90th percentile). Security Engineers in Philadelphia earned approximately $23,819 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$147,680
+520.0% YoY · $12,307/mo
Entry
$115,190
0–2 years
Experienced
$194,938
5+ years
Top 10%
$243,672
Senior/lead
Security Engineer Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$148K
Las Vegas
$135K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$156K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$149K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Security Engineers in Philadelphia

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

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Security Engineers

Major employers active in Philadelphia 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 — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$95,992$147,680$243,672
Monthly$7,999$12,307$20,306
Weekly$1,846$2,840$4,686
Hourly$46$71$117

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($142,000) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Security Engineer Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$101,524.504
Per month$8,460
Biweekly paycheck$3,905
Effective tax rate31.3%

Tax Breakdown on $147,680

Gross salary$147,680
Federal income tax−$24,786.2
Pennsylvania state tax−$4,533.776
Philadelphia local tax−$5,538
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$11,297.52
Take-home (net)$101,524.504

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 — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Security Engineers in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$105,975
2–3 yr$115,190
4–6 yr$155,064
7–10 yr$194,938
11–15 yr$230,027
15+ yr$219,305

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$23,819
2026 median:$147,680
Change:+$123,861

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
$135,486
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Security Engineer Salary in Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $128,417 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

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 $195K–$244K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific zero-trust/cloud security (AWS/GCP) expertise.

Security Engineer Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Security Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Security Engineer salary in Philadelphia is $147,680 per year as of April 2026 — $12,307/month, $2,840/week, or about $71/hour. Salaries range from $95,992 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $243,672 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $147,680 a good Security Engineer salary in Philadelphia?
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. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $147,680 a real purchasing power of approximately $135,486 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $147,680 in Philadelphia?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $147,680 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $147,680 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $147,680 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $147,680 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $147,680 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $147,680 each ($295,360 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $147,680 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $147,680 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 Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Philadelphia?
On a $147,680 Security Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $101,524.504 per year ($8,460/month, $3,905 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $24,786.2, state $4,533.776, local $5,538, FICA $11,297.52. Effective tax rate: 31.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Security Engineers in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Security Engineers in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($142,000 nationally vs $147,680 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $135,486 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Security Engineer earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Security Engineers in Philadelphia typically start at around $115,190 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Security Engineers earn $194,938 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $243,672+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Security Engineer salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Security Engineer salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $23,819 in 2025 to $147,680 in 2026 (+$123,861). 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 Philadelphia?
Security engineer demand projected to grow 32% through 2034 — among the fastest in tech. Severe talent shortage with 700K+ unfilled US cybersecurity roles. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — 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 Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Security Engineers in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Security Engineers in or near Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
Bachelor's degree + security certifications (or equivalent experience) is the typical path. However, Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($142,000) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — 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 Philadelphia

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

Security Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$149KHouston, TX$149KPhoenix, AZ$142KDallas, TX$149KFort Worth, TX$145KCharlotte, NC$145KNashville, TN$142KSacramento, CA$153K

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