Staff Security Consultant.
Houston.
$204,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$159,000 to $265,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Staff Security Consultants actually make in Houston: $159,000 at the 25th percentile, $204,000 at the median, and $265,000 at the 75th. That is 6% below the national average. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $183,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$133,000
to $163,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$173,000
to $214,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$224,000
to $265,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$255,000
to $316,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $57,000 to the total package.
Base
$204,000
Equity
$33,000
Bonus
$20,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $261,000
How Houston compares
Houston, TX
$204,000
Cost of living: 3% below average
National Average
$217,000
Houston is $13,000 below
Staff Security Consultant salary by city
Salary by role in Houston
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Staff Security Consultant offer in Houston, understand the terrain. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest, driving massive demand for clinical and research roles. Houston's low cost of living and no state income tax make it an attractive destination for professionals seeking strong purchasing power. Staff Security Consultant compensation is driven by billable hours, client tier (Fortune 500 vs mid-market), and practice area specialization. Equity is a major component at roughly 35% of base — candidates should weight stock grants as heavily as salary when comparing offers. Within tech-sector Staff Security Consultants specifically, employer tier (FAANG and frontier-AI labs vs mid-stage startups vs traditional enterprise) drives 67%+ variance across the compensation band.
Staff Security Consultants progress from entry to senior over 5 to 8 years, with partner and principal levels requiring a book of business and demonstrated client-generation track record. For Staff Security Consultants specifically, the seniority anchor typically means 7 to 12 years of experience with demonstrated independent scope. In Houston, 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. Total compensation for Staff Security Consultants runs roughly $337K at median when factoring base + equity (35% of base annually) + bonus (15% of base). Equity is the single largest non-base component — candidates should model vesting schedules (typically 4-year with 1-year cliff) and compare grant values across offers carefully. 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. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers strong take home pay. The city's overall cost of living is below the national average, further stretching your salary. When someone quotes you $204,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates. The range for Staff Security Consultants in Houston runs from $159,000 to $265,000. 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?
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Common questions.
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