🛡️ Official Bureau of Labor Statistics & Tech Benchmark (2026)

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Salary in San Francisco, CA

Detailed compensation breakdown, percentiles, and market demand for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in San Francisco, CA.

🛡️
Verified Compensation Research: Analytically verified by Jobflixs Labor Analytics Team • Primary Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), SEC 10-K filings & H-1B Disclosures (2026). View Methodology →
Demand: +33%
$496,800
/ year (Median Base Pay)
💵 Hourly Equivalent: $238.85/hr
📊 80% Range: $331,200 – $855,600
📍 Regional Multiplier: +38% vs National Baseline
10th % Entry $331,200
25th % Junior $414,000
50th % Median $496,800
75th % Senior $676,200
90th % Top 10% $855,600
Base Annual Salary $496,800
Target Annual Bonus $59,616
Annual Stock / Equity $109,296
Total Compensation (TC) $665,712
🛡️
Fact-Checked & Methodologically Verified by the SalaryPulse Research Team.
Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS Survey), DOL Certified H-1B Disclosures & Public SEC 10-K Filings. Learn about our formula →
Live Opportunities (Salary Transparency)

Verified Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Openings in San Francisco, CA

Top employers actively hiring near or above the $496,800/yr median benchmark.

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Salary Progression by Experience Level in San Francisco, CA

Estimated pay progression across career stages for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Entry-Level (0 - 2 yrs)

Junior Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Recent graduates and early career entrants.

Median Pay
$331,200
Mid-Level (2 - 5 yrs)

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Autonomous execution and domain proficiency.

Median Pay
$496,800
Senior (5 - 8 yrs)

Senior Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

System architecture, mentorship, and project leadership.

Median Pay
$676,200
Lead / Principal (8+ yrs)

Staff / Principal

Strategic direction and cross-functional technical decisions.

Median Pay
$855,600

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Salary in Other US Locations

Compare regional earnings and cost-of-living adjustments

San Francisco, CA

COL Index: 179.5%
$496,800

San Jose, CA

COL Index: 174.2%
$489,600

New York, NY

COL Index: 186%
$482,400

Seattle, WA

COL Index: 148%
$460,800

Hawaii

COL Index: 179%
$460,800

Oakland, CA

COL Index: 155%
$460,800

Boston, MA

COL Index: 149%
$450,000

California

COL Index: 142%
$450,000

Role Profile & Career Requirements

The CISO establishes enterprise cybersecurity vision, manages incident response teams, defends against state-sponsored threats, and ensures SOC2/ISO27001 compliance.

Required Education
Master's in Cybersecurity / CISSP / Executive Leadership
Experience Benchmark
12+ years
10-Year Projected Growth
+33%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) make in San Francisco, CA?

The median annual salary for a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in San Francisco, CA is $496,800, with entry-level professionals earning around $331,200 and top 10% senior specialists earning up to $855,600.

What is the average hourly rate for a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in San Francisco, CA?

On average, a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in San Francisco, CA makes approximately $238.85 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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