TechnologyBLS OES

Chief Information Security Officer Salary in Memphis

2026 · Official labour data · 8 comparison cities

$188,686/yr

Last updated: July 2026 · Source: BLS OES Survey · 1.1M employer sample

Typical range: $150,043 $237,281

Very High Confidence · 100/100

How much does a Chief Information Security Officer make in Memphis, TN?

A Chief Information Security Officer in Memphis earns a median of $188,686/year (about $91/hour). Most earn between $150,043 (25th percentile) and $237,281 (75th percentile); top earners (90th percentile) make $291,770 or more — 16% below the US average. Figures are from BLS employer payroll data, not self-reports.

$122,022
Entry (P10)
$188,686
Median (P50)
$237,281
Top 25% (P75)
$291,770
Top 10% (P90)

Understanding these Chief Information Security Officer salary numbers

We report percentiles, not a single average, because pay isn't evenly spread — a handful of very high earners would drag an average upward and mislead you. Here's exactly what each figure means.

Median (P50) — $188,686

Half of Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis earn more than this and half earn less. It's the most honest "typical" salary — better than an average, which gets skewed by a few top earners.

25th percentile (P25) — $150,043

The lower end of the typical range: 75% of Chief Information Security Officers earn more than this. It's common for early-career roles or lower-cost employers. Earning below it is grounds to negotiate.

75th percentile (P75) — $237,281

Your negotiation target: only 25% of Chief Information Security Officers earn above it. Reaching P75 usually means seniority, in-demand specialisations, or simply negotiating from data. See how to negotiate.

90th percentile (P90) — $291,770

Top earners: only 10% of Chief Information Security Officers make this or more — typically senior, highly specialised, or at the best-paying employers.

Gross vs after-tax pay

These figures are gross (before tax). What actually reaches your account depends on your country, state, and deductions. Estimate your net with the take-home calculator.

National vs Memphis pay

City figures apply the local market premium to BLS data, so Memphis differs from the US average by -16%. A higher number isn't always better once cost of living is counted.

Hourly rate — $91/hr

The hourly figure is the annual median divided by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). If you regularly work more than 40 hours, your real hourly rate is lower than this. Convert any salary with the salary calculator.

Why this differs from Glassdoor or Payscale

Those sites publish what people say they earn (self-reports), which skew high because higher earners report more often. Our figures come from mandatory employer payroll records (BLS OEWS), so they reflect the whole market — not just a vocal subset.

How current and reliable is this number?

This page carries a confidence score of 100/100, based on the data source and coverage. US figures track the latest BLS release and refresh automatically; international figures use OECD/ILO data. See the changelog for live data freshness.

What counts as a "good" Chief Information Security Officer salary in Memphis?

Around the median ($188,686) is solid and $237,281+ is strong — but "good" really depends on local costs. Check what the number is actually worth with the good-salary breakdown for Memphis.

Still curious how we get these numbers? Every figure is traceable to a primary source — see the full methodology and data sources.

Cite or reuse this data

Chief Information Security Officer salary in Memphis, TN: median $188,686 (P75 $237,281), per BLS OEWS via Official Salary, 2026.

Free JSON: /api/salary?job=ciso&city=memphis — no key. API & widgets →

Key insights for Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis

✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated July 2026Source: BLS OES 2026Confidence: LowMethodology
  • Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis earn about 16% less than the national median for the role ($189K vs $224K).
  • Cost of living in Memphis runs about 15% below the US average, so $189K is worth roughly $222K at national prices.
  • After a simplified take-home estimate, $189K nets about $126K/yr — roughly $98K/yr left after typical single-person living costs here.
  • Pay climbs with seniority: a senior/staff Chief Information Security Officer reaches about $279K — a +48% step from mid-level.
Official Salary Verdict™
Typical Range

Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis typically earn $150K–$237K a year.

Market Median

The market median is $189K — half earn above, half earn below.

Top Earners

Top earners (top 10%) make $292K or more.

High-Paying Role

Modelled from BLS OES national wage data and occupation premium analysis.

Official government labour statistics (BLS OEWS)Updated monthly via BLS APIHuman-reviewed methodologyConfidence Score: 100/100Editorial policy →

Chief Information Security Officer Salary Analysis — Memphis

Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis earn a median salary of $189K, which is 16% below the national median of $224K. A more competitive regional labour market keeps wages below the national baseline.

Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and employer payroll records. Figures represent the median (P50) across all experience levels in Memphis.

Cost of Living Adjustment

Memphis's cost of living is 15% below the US average. Your $189K salary has the equivalent purchasing power of approximately $222K in a city with average US living costs.

$189K
Nominal salary
-15%
CoL vs US avg
$222K
Real value

Salary Distribution — Memphis

5-band distribution from employer payroll records

P10Entry Level
$122,022

New graduates, 0–1 yr exp

P2525th Percentile
$150,043

1–3 years experience

P50Median
$188,686

3–7 years, typical professional

P7575th Percentile
$237,281

Senior / high-performer — target

P90Top 10%
$291,770

Staff / principal / lead

Chief Information Security Officer salary chart for Memphis, TN, 2026: median $189K, top 25% earn $237K+, from BLS employer payroll data
Chief Information Security Officer pay in Memphis — free to share with attributionDownload chart
-16%
vs US avg
+30%
demand growth
Low
AI risk
Data Confidence
100/100A+
BLS.OEWS.2026.v2Updated Jul 15, 2026

Are You Being Underpaid?

Enter your current salary to see your exact market percentile in Memphis

Am I Underpaid?

Enter your current salary to see where you stand

$

Your salary is never stored or transmitted. Calculation runs locally in your browser.

Official Salary Fair Pay Score™

Is $189K a good salary for Chief Information Security Officer in Memphis?

Based on BLS data for 188,686 comparable professionals in this role

50
You're paid above average

You're earning above the median — in the top half of this role's salary range.

Bottom 10%: $122K·Median: $189K·Top 10%: $292K
Underpaid← MedianTop earner
Adjusted · 89% confidenceSource reliability: 40/40 (BLS)

Why This Salary?

How we arrived at $189K for Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis

-16%
TN market level
TN pays 16% below the global baseline — lower cost of living often offsets this.
-15%
Memphis metro premium
This city has a lower cost of living, reflected in typical salary ranges.
+8%
High demand for Chief Information Security Officers
30% projected job growth creates upward wage pressure.

Source: BLS OES. All figures reflect 2026 market conditions.

Chief Information Security Officer Salary by Experience Level in Memphis

How compensation grows from entry-level through staff / lead

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyHourly
Entry00 yrs$128,306$10,692$62
Junior22 yrs$158,496$13,208$76
Mid-LevelTypical44 yrs$178,623$14,885$86
Senior66 yrs$206,800$17,233$99
Staff1010 yrs$279,255$23,271$134
Principal1414 yrs$350,201$29,183$168
Distinguished1818 yrs$367,938$30,662$177

Based on BLS OEWS percentile distribution. Actual salary depends on employer, skills, and negotiation.

Skills That Earn More — Chief Information Security Officer

Estimated premium above the Memphis median based on market demand

NIST+4% ≈ +$8K/yr
Risk Management+9% ≈ +$17K/yr
Board Communication+4% ≈ +$8K/yr
GRC+4% ≈ +$8K/yr
Team Leadership+4% ≈ +$8K/yr

Estimates based on job-posting salary premiums for verified high-demand skills.

Chief Information Security Officer Intelligence Report

Career metrics and full compensation breakdown — from BLS demand data

Career Opportunity Score

Composite: demand growth × 1.4 + (100 − AI risk) × 0.4

B+78/100
High RiskModerateExceptional
Demand Growth+30%/yr
AI Displacement Risk10% — Low
Risk-Adj. Salary Growth+4.0%/yr
Above Average: Strong tailwinds. Salary growth should outpace inflation for the next 5–8 years.
BLS Official 10-yr OutlookMuch faster than average
+32%
Growth 2022–2032
+5K
New jobs projected
$204K
In 2 yrs
$230K
In 5 yrs
$280K
In 10 yrs

Total Compensation — Chief Information Security Officer

Beyond base salary: bonus, equity, and benefits

Total Comp Range
$292K$325K
per year
Base (61%)Bonus (10%)Equity (15%)Benefits (13%)
Base Salary
Median market rate
$188,686
Annual Bonus
Typical: 8–25% of base
$31,134
Equity (annualised)
~25% of base — RSUs/options
$47,172
Benefits Value
~22% — healthcare, 401k, PTO
$41,511
Total Comp (mid)
$308,503

Bonus, equity, and benefits are modelled estimates from category norms (not scraped from any single employer); base is BLS. Actual total comp varies by employer, level, and negotiation.

Typical Benefits for Chief Information Security Officers

— show

Often adds 20–35% to your effective pay

Health Insurance
Medical, dental, vision
401(k) Match
Avg 3–6% employer match
PTO
15–25 days / year
Remote / Hybrid
Common in this role
Equity / RSUs
Especially at tech firms
Learning Budget
$1,000–$3,000 / year
Total compensation tip: Always negotiate base salary first. Equity, signing bonus, and remote flexibility have the highest negotiation leverage.

Compare Chief Information Security Officer Salaries by City

How Memphis, TN stacks up against other major markets

CityMedianP75vs US avg
Memphis, TN (current)$188,686$237,281+-16%
New York, NY$271,627$341,583++21%
San Francisco, CA$320,316$402,811++43%
Seattle, WA$310,977$391,067++39%
Austin, TX$253,467$318,746++13%
Boston, MA$284,431$357,684++27%
Chicago, IL$242,035$304,369++8%
Los Angeles, CA$248,482$312,477++11%
Denver, CO$276,368$347,545++23%

Official Salary Career GPS™

What should I do next as a Chief Information Security Officer?

O*NET · US Dept of Labor

Career path data not available for this occupation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Chief Information Security Officer salary in Memphis, TN?

The median Chief Information Security Officer salary in Memphis, TN is $189K per year (2026), based on BLS OEWS employer payroll data from 1.1 million employers. The top 25% earn $237K+ per year.

What is a good Chief Information Security Officer salary in Memphis, TN?

The 75th percentile ($237K/yr) is the professional benchmark — what the top quarter already earns. It's a documented, negotiable target backed by BLS payroll data. Anything above the median ($189K) is above-average for this role in Memphis, TN.

How much does a Chief Information Security Officer earn per hour in Memphis, TN?

Based on the median annual salary of $189K, a Chief Information Security Officer in Memphis, TN earns approximately $91/hr (2,080-hour work year). The P75 rate is ~$114/hr.

Is Memphis, TN a good market for Chief Information Security Officers?

Memphis, TN pays 16% below the US national average for this role. Demand for Chief Information Security Officers is growing 30% annually, and AI automation risk is rated low for this occupation.

How do I negotiate a higher Chief Information Security Officer salary in Memphis, TN?

Cite the BLS P75 figure ($237K) — it is verifiable public data from government payroll records. Request the full compensation package: base + equity/bonus + benefits. Timing matters: negotiate at the offer stage, not after acceptance. Counter with a specific number, not a range.

What is the entry-level Chief Information Security Officer salary in Memphis, TN?

Entry-level Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis, TN (10th–25th percentile) earn roughly $122K–$150K per year, rising toward the $189K median with experience and in-demand skills.

What does a senior Chief Information Security Officer earn in Memphis, TN?

Senior Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis, TN — the top quartile up to the 90th percentile — earn about $237K–$292K per year, with the top 10% making $292K+.

How Is This Salary Calculated?

Every number is derived from a transparent, reproducible methodology — no estimates, no black boxes.

Where does the salary data come from?

All US figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey — a mandatory biannual survey of 1.1 million US employers who report actual payroll data.

How is the Memphis figure calculated?

The BLS publishes metro-area occupational wage statistics for 300+ US metropolitan areas. For Memphis, Official Salary uses the BLS metro premium ratio (metro median ÷ national median) and applies it to the national baseline.

What do P10, P25, P50, P75, and P90 mean?

These are salary percentiles from employer payroll records. P50 (median) means 50% of workers earn less. P75 means 75% earn less — this is the recommended negotiation anchor. P10 and P90 represent the bottom 10% and top 10% respectively.

How is take-home pay estimated?

Take-home pay is estimated using progressive tax brackets from official government sources (IRS for US, HMRC for UK, ATO for Australia, etc.). Social contributions (National Insurance, FICA, etc.) are added. These are estimates — actual take-home depends on deductions, filing status, and location.

How often is data updated?

US BLS salary data refreshes every 24 hours via the BLS public API. OECD international wages refresh monthly. ECB currency rates refresh every 4 hours.

Full formulas and source citations on the methodology page.

What a Chief Information Security Officer salary really means in Memphis

Take-home pay, rent affordability, and remote benchmarking — on the $188,686 median.

Estimated take-home

$139,429/yr

$11,619/month net

Gross median
$188,686
Income tax
$34,823
Social / FICA
$14,434
Effective rate
26%

Federal income tax only (FICA included). State income tax varies. Single-filer estimate — not tax advice.

Rent affordability

9%

of take-home on a typical 1-bed (~$1,000/mo)

The 30% rule says housing should stay under 30% of take-home. Here it's comfortably within that line. After all living costs (~$2,380/mo), roughly $9,239/mo is left to save or invest.

Cost-of-living estimate for Memphis; rent ≈ 42% of budget.

Remote vs onsite

$188,686$223,887

typical fully-remote benchmark range

Onsite Chief Information Security Officers in Memphis earn the local median of $188,686. Fully-remote roles are usually benchmarked between the US median ($223,887) and the local rate — employers increasingly set remote pay by national or regional bands, not your city.

Compare all Chief Information Security Officer markets →
✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated July 2026Source: BLS OES 2026Confidence: LowMethodology

How to reach the top 25% as a Chief Information Security Officer in Memphis

The gap between a typical Chief Information Security Officer and the top quartile in Memphis is $48,595/year — about $4,050/month more than the median. Reaching the 75th percentile ($237,281) usually comes down to seniority, in-demand specialisations, and negotiating from real data instead of hoping for a raise.

Salary trend data not available for this occupation.

Education Premium — Chief Information Security Officer

How degree level affects salary · ACS Census data

High School / GED
-28%
~$136K
Associate's Degree
-12%
~$166K
Bachelor's DegreeBASELINE
~$189K
Master's Degree
+24%
~$234K
Doctoral (PhD)
+32%
~$249K
Professional (MBA/JD/MD)
+42%
~$268K

Source: US Census Bureau ACS PUMS · BLS OES wage data.

Negotiation Deep-Dive

Get your data-backed negotiation opening ask and walking-away floor.

📊Your exact market percentile based on BLS distribution
🎯P75 target + 10% stretch as your opening ask price
🚪Walking-away floor so you know when to move on
Memphis benchmarks
$189K
Market median
$237K
P75 target
$292K
Top 10%

Negotiation Calculator

Enter your current salary to see your market position and opening ask

$
Chief Information Security Officer in Memphis — Distribution
P10
$122K
P25
$150K
P50
$189K
P75
$237K
P90
$292K
Enter your salary above to see your negotiation position
Check If You're Underpaid →