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Head of Security / CISOs at high-growth companies earn $209K–$316K. Median: $260K. Based on 88 public job postings (2025–2026). US DOL certified wage filings (FY2025): $250K median.
Median: $260K · Based on 88 public job postings · Updated June 10, 2026
This Head of Security / CISO salary benchmark is built from public job postings at high-growth and AI-native companies — no private placement data. Figures reflect base salary and are refreshed as new postings are collected.
Head of Security / CISOs are security engineers and analysts who protect infrastructure, data, and applications. This benchmark reflects Director-level base compensation at high-growth and AI-native companies.
For corroboration, U.S. Department of Labor certified wage filings (FY2025) show a median of $250K for Head of Security / CISO roles, ranging $246K–$316K, across 7 filings. This is reported separately from — never blended with — the job-posting median above.
What is the average Head of Security / CISO salary at an AI startup?
The median base salary is $260K, with a typical range of $209K–$316K, based on 88 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.
Where does this salary data come from?
It is aggregated from public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. We require a minimum of 15 postings per role.
Figures are USD base salary aggregated from 88 public job postings (2025–2026). The range shown is the 25th–75th percentile; the median is the 50th percentile. Roles require at least 15 postings to be published. Last refreshed June 10, 2026.
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