Data current as of October 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary
$153,500 / year
≈ $12,800 per month · $73.80 per hour
Low $107,500Average $153,500High $199,500
Figures reflect WePayFairly survey data aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. Range estimated at −20% / +25% around the aged average. State figures use estimated geographic differentials. Actual pay varies with experience, location, industry, and organization size.
Total cash compensation
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
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About this role
Lead Information Security is a senior individual-contributor role that leads the most complex work and mentors others, focused on Information Security in the Information Technology job family.
The Information Technology function covers the design, build, security, and support of an organization's systems, infrastructure, applications, and data.
Typical experience: 6 to 10 years at the Supervisor / Lead level, per widely used corporate career-level norms (Radford, Mercer, and SHRM career-level frameworks). Actual expectations vary by function, industry, and company size.
Coach, evaluate, and develop team member performance
Ensure quality and timeliness of team work product
Report metrics, issues, and status to management
Resolve routine escalations and personnel matters
Coordinate resources and workload across team members
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Executive or Administrative exemption
Team leadership roles typically qualify for the Executive exemption when directing the work of two or more employees, or the Administrative exemption when exercising discretion on significant matters. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
Career ladder and pay outlook
Median base pay at each level of the Information Security ladder. Titles vary by company; levels compare role scope.
Projection assumes market wages keep rising about 3.5% a year, consistent with recent wage growth measured by the BLS Employment Cost Index. It reflects market movement for the title, not individual raises or promotions, which vary.
Get your Personal Pay Report for Lead Information Security
Keep your market comparison in a print-ready PDF, with negotiation targets, a script using your numbers, and a five-year market-pay illustration. Career ladder where available.
StateYears of experienceCurrent salary
One-time purchase. Review the final total, including any applicable tax, in Stripe before you pay. Report available immediately after successful payment. Full refund on request within 7 days of purchase. Refund terms. Prefer to explore first? Run a free market check.
Sources and assumptions
Modeled market estimate, aged to 2026. Underlying source families are BLS OEWS May 2025 for BLS-mapped occupations and the 2018–19 collection for corporate titles. Annual aging is compounded at approximately 3–4%; geographic, industry and company-size repricing are modeled. See the role details and methodology for the applicable source and assumptions.
Your free market check includes an estimated percentile and pay gap when you enter your salary. The paid report adds a PDF, negotiation targets and script, and a five-year market-pay illustration. See a full sample report
Need Lead Information Security pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
