Cybersecurity professionals on the US West Coast have the highest salaries in North America, with an average base salary of $200,000 per year, according to the 2025 Cybersecurity Staff Compensation Benchmark Report by IANS and Artico. This marks a significant $49,000 difference compared to the next highest-earning region, the Northeast US. The West Coast also leads in overall cash compensation, which includes bonuses and overtime, with an average of $224,000 annually. This salary increase is linked to the region’s higher cost of living and the presence of large tech companies offering competitive pay to attract top-tier cybersecurity talent.
The report also reveals salary differences based on job functions. Management positions, such as functional department heads, command some of the highest salaries, with a base salary of $234,000 and total cash compensation of $283,000. Infosecurity managers earn an average of $174,000 base salary and $195,000 in overall compensation, while team leaders receive a base salary of $145,000, with overall compensation of $162,000. Among non-management roles, security architects and engineers also earn high salaries, with security architects making $179,000 base and $206,000 overall, and security engineers earning $168,000 base and $191,000 total compensation.
The salary data further highlights the importance of experience and proficiency in the cybersecurity field. As professionals advance in their careers, their compensation rises significantly. The study found that median cash compensation increases by about 40% with each successive proficiency level. The higher salaries are a reflection of the increasing demand for experienced cybersecurity professionals, particularly in regions with a concentration of tech companies such as the West Coast.
Despite the high compensation, many cybersecurity professionals expressed dissatisfaction with career advancement opportunities. Less than 40% of respondents were satisfied with their career progression, and 45% were dissatisfied. Additionally, concerns over limited growth opportunities have led many senior professionals, particularly department heads, to consider changing employers within the next year. With a high turnover risk, experts like Steve Martano from Artico advise organizations to plan for employee retention by offering growth opportunities and ensuring high performers are well-supported.
