Security Consultant Salary.

Security Consultant Compensation

National median, base vs total comp, 2023-2026

The national median Security Consultant salary is $140,000 in 2026. Most earn between $109,000 (25th percentile) and $182,000 (75th percentile). Where you land depends on your experience, skills, the company's size, and your location.

Entry level Security Consultants (0 to 2 years) typically earn $91,000 to $112,000. Mid level (3 to 5 years) run $119,000 to $147,000. Senior (6 to 9 years) reach $154,000 to $182,000, and lead level (10 plus years) $175,000 to $217,000.

With a national median of $140,000 and senior pay reaching $182,000 to $217,000, Security Consultant is a well compensated field. Pay varies by city, so compare cost of living adjusted numbers before judging any single offer.

Entry level Security Consultant roles start around $91,000 to $112,000. Candidates with strong internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate toward the national median of $140,000.

Total compensation for Security Consultants runs roughly $154K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~10% of base). Base salary carries most of the compensation; benefits (healthcare, 401(k) match, PTO) add an estimated 15, 25% in imputed value on top. At tech companies specifically, equity and sign-on are often the largest delta between offers, two roles with matching base can differ by $100K+ at total when equity is included.

Security Consultant compensation is driven by billable hours, client tier (Fortune 500 vs mid-market), and practice area specialization. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 10% in a typical year. Within tech-sector Security Consultants specifically, employer tier (FAANG and frontier-AI labs vs mid-stage startups vs traditional enterprise) drives 67%+ variance across the compensation band.