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Personnel security specialist salary
Average personnel security specialist salary
$78,967
Understanding Personnel Security Specialist Salaries
The average salary for a Personnel Security Specialist is approximately $78,967 per year. This figure can vary widely based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry in which one works. For instance, specialists in states like California and New York typically command higher salaries due to the higher cost of living and demand for security professionals.
In addition to salary, job opportunities in this field are expanding as organizations increasingly prioritize security and compliance. Personnel Security Specialists play a vital role in protecting sensitive data and ensuring that employees adhere to security protocols. As a result, those with specialized training and certifications may find themselves in a favorable position for advancement and higher pay.
Highest Paying States for Personnel Security Specialists
- California
- New York
- Texas
- Virginia
- Florida
By understanding the market and continuously enhancing your skills, you can increase your earning potential and secure more lucrative positions within the field.
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Where can a Personnel Security Specialist earn more?
Personnel security specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average personnel security specialist salary by state
The average personnel security specialist salary in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average personnel security specialist salary states are Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for personnel security specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $99,577 | $47.87 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $103,015 | $49.53 |
| 3 | New York | $98,713 | $47.46 |
| 4 | Delaware | $87,265 | $41.95 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $96,624 | $46.45 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $93,266 | $44.84 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $87,974 | $42.30 |
| 8 | Nevada | $84,517 | $40.63 |
| 9 | Washington | $87,095 | $41.87 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $88,409 | $42.50 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $80,995 | $38.94 |
| 12 | Maryland | $84,677 | $40.71 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $79,873 | $38.40 |
| 14 | Vermont | $84,606 | $40.68 |
| 15 | Arizona | $77,467 | $37.24 |
| 16 | California | $98,047 | $47.14 |
| 17 | Maine | $85,724 | $41.21 |
| 18 | Virginia | $91,859 | $44.16 |
| 19 | Ohio | $79,103 | $38.03 |
| 20 | Texas | $77,341 | $37.18 |
| 21 | Utah | $83,096 | $39.95 |
| 22 | Michigan | $78,781 | $37.88 |
| 23 | Oregon | $79,345 | $38.15 |
| 24 | Alaska | $71,043 | $34.16 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $73,823 | $35.49 |
| 27 | Mississippi | $67,630 | $32.51 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $67,413 | $32.41 |
| 29 | Iowa | $68,257 | $32.82 |
| 30 | Illinois | $71,141 | $34.20 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $68,331 | $32.85 |
| 32 | Idaho | $73,850 | $35.50 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $66,548 | $31.99 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $69,900 | $33.61 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $55,464 | $26.67 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $65,455 | $31.47 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $66,976 | $32.20 |
| 38 | Georgia | $66,312 | $31.88 |
| 39 | Alabama | $61,964 | $29.79 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $65,534 | $31.51 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $66,359 | $31.90 |
| 42 | Florida | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| 43 | Indiana | $64,799 | $31.15 |
| 44 | Montana | $64,323 | $30.92 |
| 45 | Kansas | $64,599 | $31.06 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $64,421 | $30.97 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $59,613 | $28.66 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $63,893 | $30.72 |
| 49 | Missouri | $64,035 | $30.79 |
| 50 | Colorado | $63,924 | $30.73 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $60,255 | $28.97 |
Highest paying cities for personnel security specialists
The highest-paying cities for personnel security specialists are Palo Alto, CA, New York, NY, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto, CA | $106,543 | $51.22 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $98,721 | $47.46 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $96,644 | $46.46 |
| 4 | Arlington, VA | $94,455 | $45.41 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $87,934 | $42.28 |
| 6 | Severn, MD | $84,884 | $40.81 |
| 7 | Sandusky, OH | $81,084 | $38.98 |
| 8 | Fort Worth, TX | $78,269 | $37.63 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $77,773 | $37.39 |
| 10 | Roseville, MN | $73,924 | $35.54 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $70,289 | $33.79 |
| 12 | Nashville, TN | $65,752 | $31.61 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| 14 | Lakewood, CO | $63,707 | $30.63 |
| 15 | Independence, MO | $63,581 | $30.57 |
| 16 | Huntsville, AL | $61,981 | $29.80 |
Personnel security specialist salary details
A personnel security specialist's salary ranges from $49,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $124,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a personnel security specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $124,000 | $10,333 | $60 |
| 75th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 | $48 |
| Average | $78,967 | $6,581 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| 10th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
Highest paying personnel security specialist jobs
The highest paying types of personnel security specialists are information security officer, information security manager, and information technology security manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Assurance Engineer | $89,291 | $7,441 | $42.93 | 104,421 |
| Securities Consultant | $92,092 | $7,674 | $44.27 | 27,296 |
| Security Engineer | $104,524 | $8,710 | $50.25 | 86,093 |
| Information Systems Security Officer | $90,730 | $7,561 | $43.62 | 202,299 |
| Information Technology Security Manager | $124,792 | $10,399 | $60.00 | 120,463 |
| Information Security Engineer | $97,288 | $8,107 | $46.77 | 120,257 |
Top companies hiring personnel security specialists now:
Which companies pay personnel security specialists the most?
Personnel security specialist salaries at Palantir and Amazon are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average personnel security specialist salary at companies like Parsons and Sandia National Labs are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palantir | $117,165 | $56.33 |
| 2 | Amazon | $116,142 | $55.84 |
| 3 | Parsons | $97,171 | $46.72 |
| 4 | Sandia National Labs | $87,269 | $41.96 |
| 5 | SOS International | $81,958 | $39.40 |
| 6 | ProSync | $79,907 | $38.42 |
| 7 | FGS | $79,593 | $38.27 |
| 8 | Live Nation Entertainment | $79,485 | $38.21 |
| 9 | MEI Technologies | $77,018 | $37.03 |
| 10 | Global Resource Solutions Inc | $76,895 | $36.97 |
| 11 | Aveshka | $76,759 | $36.90 |
| 12 | M.E.I | $76,266 | $36.67 |
| 13 | Calhoun International | $75,614 | $36.35 |
| 14 | Protection Strategies Incorporated | $74,466 | $35.80 |
| 15 | Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa | $74,291 | $35.72 |
| 16 | PSI Services | $73,558 | $35.36 |
| 17 | Bay Area Innovations | $71,476 | $34.36 |
| 18 | Leidos | $70,315 | $33.81 |
| 19 | Pacific Architects and Engineers | $70,240 | $33.77 |
| 20 | Vectrus | $69,114 | $33.23 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Personnel security specialist salary trends
The average personnel security specialist salary has risen by $14,594 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average personnel security specialist earned $64,373 annually, but today, they earn $78,967 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for personnel security specialists over the last decade.
Compare personnel security specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average personnel security specialist salary over time
Compare personnel security specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Personnel security specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $79,000 | $37.97 | +3.3% |
| 2025 | $76,400 | $36.71 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $74,600 | $35.88 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $72,500 | $34.85 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $70,300 | $33.78 | +2.7% |
Recently added personnel security specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Personnel Security Specialist | Washington, DC | 06/28/2025 | $49,960 |
| Subsidium, Inc. | Lead Personnel Security Specialist | Washington, DC | 06/27/2025 | $80,000 |
| Department of The Air Force | Personnel Security Specialist | Rome, NY | 06/24/2025 | $73,939 |
| Life Protect 24 7 Inc. | Security Personnel | Clearwater, FL | 06/23/2025 | $41,740 |
| Gap Solutions Inc. | Personnel Security Specialist | Washington, DC | 06/20/2025 | $80,000 |
| Prosync | Personnel Security Specialist Lead | Port Hueneme, CA | 06/15/2025 | $109,000 |
| Watermark Risk Management International | Personnel Security Specialist | Washington, DC | 06/11/2025 | $85,000 |
| Fortune Casinos | Security Personnel | Lacey, WA | 06/10/2025 | $40,697 |
| Amentum | Personnel Security Specialist IV | Washington, DC | 06/04/2025 | $92,287 |
| Intrepid | Junior Personnel Security Specialist | Quantico, VA | 05/29/2025 | $50,000 |
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