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.

$151,903/yr

Typical range: $144,463 $177,638

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$151,903$12,659
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$187,645$15,637+24%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$211,473$17,623+39%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$244,832$20,403+61%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$330,613$27,551+118%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$414,606$34,551+173%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$435,605$36,300+187%
Current Salary
$151,903
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $73/hr
Next Level Target
$187,645
Junior · 2
+$36Kpotential 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 $152K 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 $152K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $73/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 $281K–$345K/yr.