Salary and Job Outlook for Security Software Developers
Published September 13, 2023
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Security software developers prevent unwanted access of private data. This essential cybersecurity role usually requires a bachelor's degree in computer science and specialized security developer skills.
This page covers the duties and importance of security software developers and the impact that location, industry, and experience can have on salary.
What Does a Security Software Developer Do?
Security software developers create software and systems that protect organizations' data. These developers work with programming teams to create products or make security updates to existing applications. Professionals in this field know multiple programming languages, such as C++, Python, and Java.
Every industry needs workers with security software expertise: Companies, governments, and nonprofit entities all have data that require safeguarding, and malicious actors can use a variety of tools to gain access to that secure information. Security experts aim to prevent data theft, viruses, phishing attempts, and more.
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How Much Can You Earn as a Security Software Developer?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for security software developers was $132,930 in 2022. Experience, location, and employing industry can impact earning potential. For example, software developers working in the manufacturing industry earned a higher median salary than their counterparts in the computer systems design industry.
Below, we explore how various factors shift salary expectations for security software developers.
Security Software Developer Salary by Experience
An individual's experience often affects their salary. Because experienced professionals have acquired advanced skills and specialized their knowledge during their careers, they often earn higher wages than their coworkers with fewer years on the job.
The table below uses Payscale data to quantify average base salaries for software developers with varying levels of experience. The data reveals an upward trend for average wages that correlates with years on the job. We reference Payscale's broader software developer career category instead of security software developer due to data availability.
Security Software Developer Salary by Education
Prospective security software developers can pursue various degrees to qualify for work in this field. Computer science and related majors can help students learn the necessary skills to start working as a security software developer. Colleges and universities offer relevant educational credentials across degree levels, including associate, bachelor's, and master's programs.
The average salaries below represent data for all graduates with these degrees, not just security software developers.
Computer science specialists see an increase in average salary as education level advances. However, the difference between the average salary for a bachelor's of engineering in computer science degree-holder and master of computer science degree-holder is only a 3.7% increase.
Thus, though earning a master's degree can help graduates qualify for upper-level careers, the average salaries above indicate that these roles may not correlate with higher earning potential.
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Security Software Developer Salary by Location
Security software developers salaries also vary by location. States and metropolitan areas have different costs of living, which can affect salaries, as more expensive regions tend to offer higher salaries. Other factors like population density and job demand can also impact income.
The tables below use data for the general software developer category.
| Metropolitan Area | Average Annual Salary | Percent Above the National Average |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $234,540 | 76.4% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $181,620 | 36.6% |
| Boulder, CO | $169,750 | 27.7% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $155,680 | 17.1% |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $155,200 | 16.8% |
San Jose and San Francisco offer the highest average salaries for security developers, though California has one of the highest costs of living in the U.S., according to World Population Review. Though these salaries are higher than national averages — more than 75% higher in the case of San Jose — the increased expense of essentials like rent and groceries may mean lower purchasing power for these higher-than-average wages.
| State | Number of Security Software Developers Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | 258,170 | $182,570 |
| Washington | 91,200 | $152,010 |
| Rhode Island | N/A | $147,030 |
| New York | 92,040 | $141,130 |
| Alaska | 390 | $137,940 |
Washington, California, and New York — which are all among the highest-employing states for security developers — have some of the highest average salaries per state, wages that correlate to these jurisdictions' higher-than-average costs of living.
Security Software Developers' Job Outlook and Career Prospects
The BLS projects software developer jobs will grow 25% from 2021 to 2031, equating to 162,900 annual openings. Developments like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things will continue to increase demand for workers with cybersecurity expertise who can help prevent cyberattacks.
However, an individual's employability relies on more than career growth outlook. Professionals that specialize their skills to meet demand, choose popular industries, and relocate to high-employing regions can increase their marketability.
Best Locations for Security Software Developers
Software developers can work on site or remotely. Most in-person jobs are concentrated in urban areas with high populations, as many corporations who employ security software developers reside in big cities. California, Washington, and New York are home to large metro areas and major tech hubs. Consequently, they employ some of the largest numbers of security developers in the country.
Top States for Security Software Developers
California, Texas, New York, Washington, and Virginia are the five states that employ the highest numbers of software developers. These same jurisdictions are also projected to add the most software development jobs from 2020 to 2030.
California employs 258,170 software developers as of 2022 — the largest number of any state. California also offers the highest average salary for these workers. In contrast, Virginia and Texas also employ large numbers of software developers, but their salaries are lower than the national average, which may reflect lower costs of living for these states.
| Top-Employing States | Number of Software Developers Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | 258,170 | $182,570 |
| Texas | 116,970 | $117,440 |
| New York | 92,040 | $141,130 |
| Washington | 91,200 | $152,010 |
| Virginia | 84,220 | $132,850 |
| State | Percent Projected Change, 2020-2030 | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest Projected Percentage Increase | ||
| Utah | 56.2% | 3,470 |
| Tennessee | 52.8% | 2,270 |
| Nevada | 39.6% | 790 |
| Massachusetts | 38.9% | 9,630 |
| Arizona | 37.9% | 4,780 |
| Most Projected Average Annual Openings | ||
| California | 36.1% | 39,040 |
| Washington | 36.7% | 17,030 |
| Texas | 36.2% | 15,320 |
| New York | 35.3% | 11,050 |
| Virginia | 21.9% | 9,790 |
Source: Projections Central
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Top Metropolitan Areas for Security Software Developers
Top-employing areas are often regions with more people, as higher population densities usually correlate with increased career opportunities. For example, the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area — centered around the most populous city in the U.S. — employs the highest number of software developers in the country.
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Software Developers Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 108,650 | $142,830 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 83,860 | $234,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 80,770 | $155,680 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-VA-MD-WV | 69,360 | $139,850 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 67,010 | $181,620 |
Best Industries for Security Software Developers
Cybersecurity professionals can work in a diverse array of industries like healthcare, retail, and technical design. However, earning potential varies across these sectors, as some industries require specialized skills or have higher demand, which can increase average wages. Some of the highest-employing and highest-paying industries include tech-related fields like computer systems design, social media and streaming, and software publishing.
| Top-Paying Industries | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers | 13,260 | $168,330 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery | 320 | $167,200 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 20,850 | $161,730 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers | 1,380 | $157,890 |
| Other Support Activities for Transportation | 140 | $155,760 |
| Industries With Highest Employment | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 526,240 | $121,270 |
| Software Publishers | 162,130 | $141,440 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 78,280 | $125,720 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | 67,690 | $134,750 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 50,640 | $134,250 |
Upward Mobility for Security Software Developers
Security software developers can advance their careers by moving into managerial roles. Typically, duties for upper-level positions in this field include running a team of other security-focused software developers, taking the lead on projects, and liaising with executives.
These professionals can also use their expertise to transfer into related careers like penetration tester, vulnerability assessor, or security auditor. Because software security development professionals already have a thorough understanding of cybersecurity and programming languages, the transition to these other security-based tech careers can be easy.
Learn More About Security Software Developers
FAQ About Salaries for Security Software Developers
Do security software developers get paid well?
According to the BLS, the average wage for software developers nationwide is $132,930 as of 2022 — higher than the national average wage for all workers.
Where is the best state to work as a security software developer?
California, one of the best states for security software developers, offers the most employment opportunities and the highest average salary for these professionals. The average security software developer salary in California is $182,570 as of 2022.
What is the best industry to work in as a security software developer?
Tech-related industries like social media and streaming, computer systems design, and software publishing are among the highest-employing and highest-paying sectors for software developers. For example, social media and streaming companies paid these professionals an average wage of $168,330 in 2022 — more than $35,000 per year more than the average wage for all software developers.
What is the salary range for security software developers?
According to BLS data from 2022, the lowest 10% of earners for this career make $71,280 annually, while the top 10% of earners make $198,100.
Last reviewed June 14, 2023.
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