TechnologyOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level Security Engineer Salary in Washington DC

2026 · Recent graduates and professionals with under 2 years of experience.

$122,357/yr

Typical range: $116,364 $143,086

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Security Engineer Salary Progression in Washington DC

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$122,357$10,196
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$151,147$12,596+24%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$170,340$14,195+39%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$197,211$16,434+61%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$266,307$22,192+118%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$333,963$27,830+173%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$350,877$29,240+187%
Current Salary
$122,357
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $59/hr
Next Level Target
$151,147
Junior · 2
+$29Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
72/100
Above Average
+32% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level Security Engineer salary in Washington DC, DC?

Entry Level Security Engineers in Washington DC, DC earn approximately $122K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P10–P25 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a entry level Security Engineer make per hour in Washington DC, DC?

Based on $122K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $59/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior Security Engineer in Washington DC, DC?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Security Engineer in Washington DC, DC earns $226K–$278K/yr.