Part of the Cybersecurity Salary Guide — This article is one deep-dive in our complete salary series.
Cybersecurity vs Software Engineer Salary: 2026 Comparison
By HADESS Team | February 28, 2026 | Updated: February 28, 2026 | 10 min read
Table of Contents
- The Salary Comparison at a Glance
- Entry Level Comparison
- Mid-Career Comparison
- Senior and Leadership Comparison
- Total Compensation Including Stock and Bonuses
- Industry and Sector Differences
- Geographic Pay Differences
- Career Growth and Ceiling
- Switching Between the Two Fields
- Which Path Pays More Long Term
- Related Guides in This Series
- Take the Next Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Salary Comparison at a Glance
Cybersecurity vs software engineer salary is one of the most common comparisons people make when choosing a tech career path. Both fields pay well, both are in demand, and both offer strong career growth. But the compensation structures differ in ways that matter.
Here is the high-level picture for the US market in 2026:
| Career Stage | Cybersecurity | Software Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $50,000 – $80,000 | $70,000 – $110,000 |
| Mid-Career (3-7 years) | $85,000 – $140,000 | $110,000 – $180,000 |
| Senior (7-12 years) | $130,000 – $200,000 | $150,000 – $280,000 |
| Leadership (12+ years) | $180,000 – $400,000+ | $200,000 – $500,000+ |
At first glance, software engineering appears to pay more at every level. But this comparison is misleading because it does not account for role variation, total compensation structures, and market dynamics that favor cybersecurity in specific contexts. Let us dig into the details.
Entry Level Comparison
Software engineers have an undeniable advantage at the entry level. A new grad from a strong CS program can start at $80,000 – $110,000 at a mid-tier tech company, and top-tier companies (Google, Meta, Amazon) offer $120,000 – $160,000 total compensation for new grads including signing bonuses and stock.
Entry-level cybersecurity pay is lower. A Tier 1 SOC analyst starts at $50,000 – $72,000, a junior pen tester at $65,000 – $85,000, and a junior security engineer at $60,000 – $80,000. The gap is real and it ranges from $10,000 to $40,000 depending on the specific comparison.
Why the gap exists:
Software engineering has a more standardized pipeline. CS degree programs produce graduates with directly applicable skills. The interview process is well-defined (LeetCode, system design). Companies can hire and deploy new software engineers quickly.
Cybersecurity entry points are less structured. There is no single “cybersecurity degree” that maps cleanly to a job. Entry-level roles vary widely in scope and requirements. Many employers prefer to hire people with some IT or development experience and train them into security roles.
Supply and demand dynamics differ. While both fields have talent shortages, the software engineering shortage affects revenue-generating product development. Security roles are cost centers (with some exceptions). Companies prioritize paying for the people who build the product.
However, the entry-level gap narrows quickly. Cybersecurity salary growth in the first three years (30-45%) typically outpaces software engineering growth (15-25%) because the security talent pool is thinner at the mid-level. For entry-level details, see our entry-level cybersecurity salary guide.
Mid-Career Comparison
At the mid-career stage (3-7 years), the picture becomes more nuanced.
Cybersecurity mid-career salaries:
- Security Engineer: $100,000 – $145,000
- Penetration Tester: $95,000 – $130,000
- Security Architect: $120,000 – $165,000
- SOC Analyst (Tier 2-3): $80,000 – $115,000
- Cloud Security Engineer: $110,000 – $155,000
Software engineering mid-career salaries:
- Backend Engineer: $110,000 – $165,000
- Frontend Engineer: $100,000 – $150,000
- Full-Stack Engineer: $105,000 – $160,000
- DevOps Engineer: $110,000 – $155,000
- ML Engineer: $130,000 – $190,000
The gap narrows at mid-career, particularly for security engineers and architects. If you compare a mid-level security engineer to a mid-level backend engineer, the difference is 10-15% rather than the 30-40% gap at the entry level.
Cloud security engineers and security architects already earn comparably to most software engineering roles at this stage. The specialization premium in security starts to show its value.
Senior and Leadership Comparison
At the senior and leadership levels, cybersecurity catches up to and sometimes exceeds software engineering.
Cybersecurity senior and leadership pay:
- Principal Security Engineer: $160,000 – $220,000
- Director of Security: $180,000 – $260,000
- VP of Security: $220,000 – $350,000
- CISO: $250,000 – $600,000+
Software engineering senior and leadership pay:
- Principal Engineer: $180,000 – $300,000
- Engineering Director: $200,000 – $350,000
- VP of Engineering: $250,000 – $450,000
- CTO: $250,000 – $600,000+
At the director and VP level, security leaders earn within the same range as engineering leaders. CISOs at large enterprises earn comparably to CTOs. The leadership gap that exists at entry level has fully closed.
One advantage cybersecurity leaders have: there are far fewer qualified CISOs than qualified engineering directors. The scarcity premium means that experienced security leaders can often negotiate exceptional packages. CISO turnover is high (average tenure 2.5-3.5 years), and each move typically comes with a significant compensation increase.
Total Compensation Including Stock and Bonuses
Base salary comparisons miss the full picture. Total compensation includes stock grants, bonuses, and other benefits that differ between the two fields.
Software engineering total compensation:
- Big tech companies heavily favor equity. A senior SWE at Google might earn $200,000 base plus $150,000 – $300,000 in annual stock grants, for total comp of $350,000 – $500,000+.
- Mid-tier companies offer less equity but competitive base pay.
- Startups offer significant equity with uncertain value.
Cybersecurity total compensation:
- Security roles at the same big tech companies receive similar equity packages. A senior security engineer at Google earns comparably to a senior SWE.
- Outside big tech, cybersecurity equity packages are smaller because many security professionals work at non-tech companies where stock compensation is less common.
- Consulting firms offer bonuses (15-30% of base) instead of equity.
The real disparity in total compensation is not cybersecurity vs software engineering. It is big tech vs everything else. A security engineer at Google out-earns a software engineer at a mid-market company. The field matters less than the employer when it comes to total compensation.
Industry and Sector Differences
Some industries pay cybersecurity professionals comparably or better than software engineers.
Financial services: Banks pay security engineers and architects at parity with software engineers because regulatory requirements make security a business-critical function. JPMorgan’s cybersecurity team salaries closely track their technology team salaries.
Defense and intelligence: Government contractors pay cleared cybersecurity professionals well, and the clearance premium narrows the gap with SWE pay. An SWE without clearance and a cybersecurity engineer with TS/SCI clearance may earn the same at a defense contractor.
Consulting: Security consulting (pen testing, incident response) pays comparably to or better than software consulting. A senior security consultant at a Big Four firm earns $140,000 – $180,000 plus bonus, which matches or exceeds equivalent SWE consulting rates.
Startups: Software engineers at startups typically earn more than security professionals because startups prioritize product development. Security hires come later and often report to engineering rather than having independent budget authority.
Geographic Pay Differences
Geography affects both fields, but the patterns differ.
Software engineering pay is heavily concentrated in a few tech hubs. Silicon Valley, Seattle, New York, and Austin offer the highest pay. Remote SWE work has become standard, but many companies adjust salaries based on location.
Cybersecurity pay is more geographically distributed. Washington, DC pays premium cybersecurity salaries because of government and defense demand. Financial hubs (NYC, London, Singapore) pay well for security roles. And because many cybersecurity roles involve sensitive work, on-site positions with clearance requirements often pay more than remote roles.
US city comparison (mid-career, base salary):
| City | Cybersecurity | Software Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $120,000 – $170,000 | $140,000 – $220,000 |
| Washington, DC | $110,000 – $160,000 | $115,000 – $170,000 |
| New York | $110,000 – $155,000 | $125,000 – $195,000 |
| Austin | $95,000 – $135,000 | $105,000 – $165,000 |
| Remote (US) | $90,000 – $130,000 | $100,000 – $160,000 |
Notice that the gap is smallest in Washington, DC, where cybersecurity demand is strongest relative to software engineering demand.
Career Growth and Ceiling
Both fields offer strong career growth, but the trajectories differ.
Software engineering growth pattern: Starts high, grows steadily. The individual contributor (IC) track can lead to staff engineer or principal engineer roles paying $300,000 – $500,000+ at top companies. The management track leads to director, VP, and CTO. Software engineers have more lateral mobility between companies because skills transfer directly.
Cybersecurity growth pattern: Starts lower, accelerates faster in the middle years, and has a strong ceiling at the leadership level. The IC track leads to principal security engineer or security architect ($180,000 – $250,000). The management track leads to CISO ($250,000 – $600,000+). Security professionals have strong job security because the demand growth rate exceeds supply growth.
Long-term earning potential is comparable between the two fields. The key difference is that software engineering front-loads more of the compensation (higher starting pay, earlier stock grants), while cybersecurity back-loads it (faster mid-career growth, strong executive-level pay).
Switching Between the Two Fields
Moving between cybersecurity and software engineering is increasingly common, and it affects salary expectations.
SWE to cybersecurity: Software engineers who move into security roles (AppSec, DevSecOps, security engineering) often maintain or increase their salary because they bring coding skills that pure security professionals lack. A $160,000 SWE who moves into application security can often command $150,000 – $170,000 immediately.
Cybersecurity to SWE: Security professionals who move into software engineering may take a temporary pay cut unless they already have strong development skills. However, former security professionals bring a security-first mindset that is increasingly valued in SWE roles, especially at security-conscious companies.
The hybrid path: Application security engineers, DevSecOps engineers, and security tool developers combine skills from both fields and often earn at the top of both salary ranges. A senior AppSec engineer with strong coding skills and deep security knowledge can earn $170,000 – $240,000 — comparable to a senior SWE at a non-FAANG company.
Not sure which path fits? Take our skills assessment to see where your strengths align.
Which Path Pays More Long Term
The honest answer: it depends on your specific trajectory, not the field.
A staff engineer at Google earns more than most CISOs. A CISO at a Fortune 100 company earns more than most software engineers. A freelance pen tester earning $300/hour makes more than a mid-level SWE at a startup.
If your goal is purely to maximize lifetime earnings, consider these factors:
1. Big tech favors SWE early. If you can land a FAANG SWE role out of school, the compensation advantage is significant for the first 5-7 years. 2. Cybersecurity catches up mid-career. By year 7-10, security professionals at equivalent companies earn comparably to SWEs. 3. Leadership pay is similar. CISOs and CTOs at the same company typically earn within the same band. 4. Job security favors cybersecurity. Security spending is more recession-resistant than development spending. During economic downturns, companies cut engineering headcount before they cut security. 5. Consulting and freelance rates favor cybersecurity. Independent pen testers and security consultants command higher hourly rates ($200 – $400) than most independent software consultants ($100 – $250) because the work requires more specialization.
Use our salary calculator to model different career paths and compare projected earnings.
Related Guides in This Series
- Penetration Tester Salary 2026: Full Breakdown
- Entry Level Cybersecurity Salary: What to Expect
- How to Negotiate Your Cybersecurity Salary
Take the Next Step
Explore which path fits you with our Career Assessment to understand your strengths and how they map to cybersecurity and software engineering career paths.
Know your market value with our Salary Calculator to benchmark compensation for any cybersecurity role by experience, location, and specialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cybersecurity professionals make more than software developers?
At entry level, software developers typically earn more. By mid-career, the gap narrows significantly, and at senior/leadership levels, compensation is comparable. The specific comparison depends on the exact roles, companies, and locations. A security engineer at Google earns comparably to a software engineer at Google. The field matters less than the employer for total compensation.
Is cybersecurity harder to break into than software engineering?
Yes, generally. Software engineering has more structured entry paths (CS degree, bootcamps, standardized interviews). Cybersecurity entry is less structured and many employers prefer candidates with prior IT or development experience. However, the cybersecurity skills shortage means that qualified entry-level candidates face less competition for open roles than in software engineering.
Can I do both cybersecurity and software engineering?
Absolutely. Application security, DevSecOps, and security tooling development sit at the intersection of both fields. These hybrid roles are growing fast and pay at the top of both salary ranges. Many professionals spend a few years in SWE before specializing in security, which gives them a strong foundation in both areas.
Which field has better job security?
Cybersecurity has stronger job security. Security spending is considered non-discretionary by most organizations because the risk of cutting security is a potential breach. During the 2022-2024 tech layoff cycle, cybersecurity teams saw significantly fewer cuts than software engineering teams at the same companies.
Is it worth switching from SWE to cybersecurity for higher pay?
Not purely for pay, since SWE pay is competitive. But switching makes sense if you are interested in security work and want better job stability, lower burnout rates, and strong long-term career growth. Security engineers with SWE backgrounds are among the highest-paid professionals in either field because they combine skills that are individually scarce.
— HADESS Team consists of cybersecurity practitioners, hiring managers, and career strategists who have collectively spent 50+ years in the field.
