Senior Head of Security.
Madison.
$280,000
median salary, 7% below the national average
$219,000 to $364,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Senior Head of Security offer in Madison, WI, here is the reality: $219,000 to $364,000, with $280,000 as the midpoint. 7% below the national average. Industry vertical creates significant variance. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $252,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$182,000
to $224,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$238,000
to $294,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$308,000
to $364,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$350,000
to $434,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $79,000 to the total package.
Base
$280,000
Equity
$45,000
Bonus
$28,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $359,000
How Madison compares
Madison, WI
$280,000
Cost of living: 5% below average
National Average
$301,000
Madison is $21,000 below
Senior Head of Security salary by city
Salary by role in Madison
What you should know
The Senior Head of Security landscape in Madison is not what most salary sites will tell you. Madison is a growing tech hub anchored by the University of Wisconsin and Epic Systems, one of the largest health IT companies. The city consistently ranks among the best places to live and has a thriving startup ecosystem. Salaries are competitive relative to the modest cost of living. Industry vertical creates significant variance. Senior Head of Securitys in financial services and healthcare earn 15% to 25% more than those in general enterprise due to regulatory complexity. Expertise in AI-enabled threat detection and zero trust architecture is increasingly valued as attack surfaces expand.
Senior Head of Securitys earn $235,000 to $391,000. Progression splits into the IC track (staff at $467,000, principal at $527,000) or management (engineering manager at $497,000). Specialization depth and cross-team impact determine which path yields higher compensation. In Madison, 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. Equity at top-tier companies adds 30% to 60% above base salary. Annual bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common when changing roles. Refresher equity grants vest annually. Relocation packages and executive benefits like financial planning are typical. And on the tax side: wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65%. Madison has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by the affordable cost of living and strong employer base. When someone quotes you $280,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Epic Systems compensation benchmarks. Epic sets the salary standard for tech in Madison and most employers in the area compete against their packages. The range for Senior Head of Securitys in Madison runs from $219,000 to $364,000. 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 Staff AI Agent Architect in Madison earns $281,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Madison is Principal Quantitative Researcher at $339,000
Common questions.
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