AI Threat Modeler.
San Diego.
$202,000
median salary, 12% above the national average
$152,000 to $264,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A AI Threat Modeler in San Diego earns a median of $202,000 in 2026. That is 12% above the national average. The range runs from $152,000 to $264,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Compensation is driven by expertise in identifying attack surfaces unique to AI systems and ability to design comprehensive threat models spanning data, models, and infrastructure.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $182,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$131,000
to $162,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$172,000
to $212,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$222,000
to $263,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$253,000
to $313,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $96,000 to the total package.
Base
$202,000
Equity
$59,000
Bonus
$25,000
Signing
$12,000
Estimated total: $298,000
How San Diego compares
San Diego, CA
$202,000
Cost of living: 17% above average
National Average
$180,000
San Diego is $22,000 above
AI Threat Modeler salary by city
Salary by role in San Diego
What you should know
The AI Threat Modeler landscape in San Diego is not what most salary sites will tell you. San Diego's economy thrives on defense, biotech, and a growing tech startup scene. The city's proximity to major military installations drives strong aerospace and cybersecurity demand. Biotech companies along the Torrey Pines corridor compete aggressively for scientific and engineering talent, pushing specialized salaries close to Bay Area levels. Compensation is driven by expertise in identifying attack surfaces unique to AI systems and ability to design comprehensive threat models spanning data, models, and infrastructure. Threat modelers covering the full AI supply chain from training data to inference endpoints earn top compensation. Experience with STRIDE, MITRE ATLAS, and custom AI threat frameworks is highly valued.
Junior AI security analysts start at $115,000 to $135,000 conducting structured threat assessments. Mid-level threat modelers leading system-level analysis earn $155,000 to $180,000. Senior modelers architecting enterprise AI security strategy reach $210,000 to $235,000, with chief AI security architects at $265,000 to $310,000. In San Diego, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 17% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Bonuses of 15 to 22% are standard, with additional compensation for threat intelligence contributions and security framework development. Equity at AI security startups can be substantial, representing 20 to 40% of total compensation. And on the tax side: california's top 13.3% state tax applies here. While San Diego has no city income tax, the state burden means you should negotiate gross pay higher than you might expect for the cost of living. When someone quotes you $202,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage defense and biotech sector demand. Candidates with security clearances or specialized science backgrounds can command 15 to 20% premiums in San Diego. The range for AI Threat Modelers in San Diego runs from $152,000 to $264,000. 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 AI Engineer in San Diego earns $201,000 (0% more)
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Common questions.
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