Lead enterprise security strategy, risk management, and compliance programs. Median salary in Athens: $221K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Athens, Georgia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)s in Athens earn approximately 8% lower than the US national median for this role — a $19,000 discount on annual base salary. Athens's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 92 (US avg = 100).
This role's national salaries are growing at 8.5% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Athens median reaches $332,308 in five years.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $221K by 2030.
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The median Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) salary in Athens, GA is $221,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Athens–GA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)s in Athens with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $166,000 and $221,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $221,000 to $285,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $285,000 to $368,000 or more.
Athens has a cost of living index of 92 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 8% further in Athens than the national average. Georgia has a 5.75% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in CS or Security; CISSP required. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Athens-based professionals.