Security Engineer Salary in Memphis, TN (2026)
Median Security Engineer salary in Memphis is approximately $115,700/year — 11.0% below the US national average.
Salary breakdown — Memphis
After-tax estimate
| City | Cost mult. | Estimated annual | vs Memphis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 0.89× | $115,700 | +$0 |
| Lincoln, NE | 0.89× | $115,700 | +$0 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 0.90× | $117,000 | +$1,300 |
| Louisville, KY | 0.90× | $117,000 | +$1,300 |
| Birmingham, AL | 0.88× | $114,400 | -$1,300 |
Security Engineer salaries in Memphis, TN
The estimated median Security Engineer salary in Memphis, Tennessee is $115,700/year, working out to approximately $56/hour at full-time, $4,450 per biweekly paycheck, or $9,642/month before taxes. Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.89× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.
Compared to the Tennessee state average for this role ($119,600), Memphis pays about $3,900 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.
Take-home pay in Memphis
Of the gross $115,700, you take home roughly $90,651 after:
- Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
- FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
- Tennessee state income tax (none)
- Memphis has no local income tax
That works out to about $7,554/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Memphis Paycheck Calculator.
What affects your actual pay
- Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
- Specific employer: top-tier employers in Memphis pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
- Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Memphis typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
- Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
- Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
- Remote vs in-office: many Memphis employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.
Related calculators
Security Engineer Salary in Tennessee — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Memphis Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.