You want to get your security in order and are looking for a security engineer. But what does that cost? Security is one of the most expensive IT specialisms, and not without reason. What determines the price, and how do you find the right expertise?
In this article you will learn what a freelance security engineer costs in 2026, why this profile is so scarce and pricey, and how to avoid paying for the wrong expertise. You will also see why cutting costs on security is rarely wise.
This blog is for clients: IT managers, CISOs and hiring managers who need security expertise, for example for NIS2, an audit or incident response.
This blog is part of our rate cluster. Want the broader overview of IT rates? Read our guide to IT rates for freelancers.
What does a freelance security engineer cost per hour?
A freelance security engineer in 2026 usually charges between 55 and 130 euros per hour, excluding VAT. A medior sits roughly at 70 to 95 euros, a senior at 95 to 130 euros. Specialists in, for example, incident response or cloud security sit at the upper end or above.
Security engineers are among the most expensive IT profiles. That is due to enormous demand and limited supply. Threats are increasing, regulation like NIS2 forces companies to act, and qualified people are scarce. That combination drives up the rates.
Which factors determine a security engineer's rate?
The rate depends on experience, specialisation, certifications, scarcity and the nature of the assignment. Security is a broad field, and a specialist in a scarce subfield charges more than a generalist. The more critical and specialist the work, the higher the rate.
The main factors in a row:
- Experience and seniority: a senior with a proven track record charges more
- Specialisation: incident response, cloud security and pentesting are scarce and expensive
- Certifications: CISSP, CISM and OSCP push the rate up
- Scarcity: qualified security people are structurally hard to find
- Nature of the assignment: urgent or business-critical jobs justify a premium
Certifications weigh more heavily in security than in many other roles. An engineer with CISSP or CISM demonstrably shows the knowledge is at the required level. With security you do not want to take a gamble, so that certainty is worth its premium.
Why is cutting costs on security rarely wise?
Because the cost of a security incident is many times higher than the difference in hourly rate. A data breach, ransomware attack or NIS2 violation can lead to enormous damage, fines and reputational loss. An experienced security engineer who prevents that earns back their rate many times over.
For security, more strongly than elsewhere: you get what you pay for. A cheap generalist who just misses the right vulnerability can cost you far more later than an expensive specialist who spots it. So do not look at the hourly rate, but at the risk you are covering.
What does a security engineer cost via an intermediary?
When hiring via an intermediary, a fee comes on top of the rate. With intermediation that is usually around 10 percent; the engineer invoices you directly and the intermediary charges only their fee. With the intermediary construction it is around 15 percent, because the intermediary then carries the Dutch DBA Act risk.
Even with the intermediary construction, the engineer stays an independent entrepreneur. An intermediary like Maedium does not become an employer, pays no payroll tax and has no employer costs. The fee is a payment for the match, the guidance and taking on the risk, not a disguised wage cost.
For security, an intermediary's pre-selection is extra valuable. You want to be sure the knowledge is right, and an intermediary who knows the market filters for that. Want to understand the difference between the constructions? Read our comparison of the intermediary construction and intermediation.
How do you find the right security expertise?
First determine which subfield you need: incident response demands something different from a security audit or setting up IAM. Then match the profile to that specific need and to demonstrable certifications. A wrong match is riskier in security than in most other roles.
Unsure which profile you need? An intermediary who knows the security market helps you find the right expertise and estimate a realistic rate. That prevents you hiring a generalist for specialist work, or conversely paying too much for what you need.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of a security engineer
What is the average hourly rate of a security engineer?
In 2026 it usually lies between 55 and 130 euros per hour excluding VAT, with medior around 70 to 95 euros and senior around 95 to 130 euros. Specialists in scarce subfields sit at the upper end or above. Experience, certification and specialisation determine the exact position.
Why is a security engineer more expensive than other IT professionals?
Due to the combination of high demand and low supply. Threats are increasing, regulation like NIS2 forces action, and qualified security people are structurally scarce. Moreover, the work is business-critical: a mistake can have major consequences, and that translates into the rate.
Do I need a certified security engineer?
For most serious assignments that is wise. Certifications like CISSP or CISM show the knowledge is at the required level, and with security you want that certainty. For very specific work, practical experience can weigh more heavily than a certificate; an intermediary helps you make that trade-off.
Does a security engineer via the intermediary construction cost much more?
A fee comes on top, around 15 percent, because the intermediary carries the Dutch DBA Act risk. That is not an employer cost, because the engineer stays independent. Set against the risk of an incident or a back-tax assessment, that difference is a sensible investment in security.
Can I hire a security engineer for a short assignment?
Yes, that is perfectly possible, for example for an audit, pentest or incident response. Short, defined assignments with a clear result fit independent hiring well and are also favourable for your Dutch DBA Act position. An urgent job can justify a premium on the rate, though.
Conclusion: with security you pay for certainty
A freelance security engineer costs 55 to 130 euros per hour in 2026, depending on experience, specialisation and certification. It is one of the most expensive IT profiles, and cutting costs is rarely wise: the cost of an incident far exceeds the rate difference.
For whom is this most relevant? For clients who must comply with NIS2, need an audit, or want to seriously improve their security. For whom less? For those seeking only basic IT support; a broader profile is cheaper there.
My advice: determine which security subfield you need, choose on demonstrable expertise, and see the rate as insurance against much larger costs. With security, the cheapest option is rarely the wisest.
Want to know what a security engineer costs for your assignment?
Want to spar about the right security profile and a realistic rate for your assignment? Plan a no-obligation call with me. I think along and am transparent about what it costs.
Note: rates are indicative and may change due to market conditions. Regulations around the Dutch DBA Act may also change; for current information, consult rijksoverheid.nl or belastingdienst.nl. For complex situations, I advise consulting an employment lawyer or tax advisor.
