AI Cybersecurity Specialist.
Manchester.
$193,000
median salary, 10% above the national average
$143,000 to $251,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
AI Cybersecurity Specialist pay in Manchester ranges from $143,000 to $251,000 in 2026. The median is $193,000, 10% above the national average. Manchester is New Hampshire's largest city and a growing satellite hub for Boston's tech economy. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $174,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$125,000
to $154,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$164,000
to $203,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$212,000
to $251,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$241,000
to $299,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $80,000 to the total package.
Base
$193,000
Equity
$48,000
Bonus
$20,000
Signing
$12,000
Estimated total: $273,000
How Manchester compares
Manchester, NH
$193,000
Cost of living: 6% above average
National Average
$175,000
Manchester is $18,000 above
AI Cybersecurity Specialist salary by city
Salary by role in Manchester
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Cybersecurity Specialist offer in Manchester, understand the terrain. Manchester is New Hampshire's largest city and a growing satellite hub for Boston's tech economy. The lack of state income tax and sales tax makes it highly attractive for professionals who commute to or work remotely for Boston area employers. Defense, healthcare, and small tech firms anchor the local economy. Pay correlates strongly with clearance level and industry sector. Defense contractors and financial institutions pay the highest rates. Specialists building threat detection models, anomaly detection systems, and automated incident response tools earn premiums. CISSP or similar certifications add further value.
Junior security data analysts start around $105,000. Senior AI cybersecurity specialists earn $160,000 to $200,000. CISOs with AI expertise or directors of security AI at enterprises reach $260,000 to $350,000 with bonuses. In Manchester, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Cybersecurity bonuses range from 10% to 20% with additional premiums for on-call availability. Defense sector roles may include clearance bonuses. Bug bounty programs at some companies provide supplemental income opportunities. And on the tax side: new Hampshire has no state income tax on wages and no sales tax. Manchester has no city income tax. This makes it one of the lowest taxed metros in the Northeast. When someone quotes you $193,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the no income tax advantage to negotiate. Many professionals live in Manchester and work remotely for Boston companies, keeping the higher salary with zero state tax. The range for AI Cybersecurity Specialists in Manchester runs from $143,000 to $251,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A LLM Fine-Tuning Engineer in Manchester earns $192,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Manchester is Chief AI Officer at $325,000
Common questions.
AI Cybersecurity Specialist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Manchester
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