Cybersecurity is one of the highest-demand, highest-paying areas of technology in the UK. With an estimated 11,200 unfilled positions and growing cyber threats, qualified professionals command strong salaries.
For a broader comparison with other tech, public-sector and professional careers, see our Salary by Profession hub.
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role
| Role | Junior | Mid-Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | £28,000-£35,000 | £35,000-£48,000 | £48,000-£60,000 |
| Security Engineer | £32,000-£42,000 | £45,000-£65,000 | £65,000-£85,000 |
| Penetration Tester | £30,000-£40,000 | £45,000-£65,000 | £65,000-£90,000 |
| Security Consultant | £32,000-£42,000 | £48,000-£68,000 | £68,000-£95,000 |
| Security Architect | — | £60,000-£80,000 | £80,000-£110,000 |
| GRC Analyst | £28,000-£38,000 | £42,000-£58,000 | £58,000-£78,000 |
| Incident Response | £30,000-£40,000 | £45,000-£62,000 | £62,000-£85,000 |
| CISO | — | — | £90,000-£150,000+ |
Pay by Sector
| Sector | Mid-Level Range | Senior Range |
|---|---|---|
| Banking / Financial Services | £50,000-£75,000 | £75,000-£120,000 |
| Big Tech (FAANG-level) | £55,000-£80,000 | £80,000-£130,000+ |
| Consulting (Big 4) | £45,000-£70,000 | £70,000-£100,000 |
| Defence / Government | £40,000-£60,000 | £60,000-£85,000 |
| Telecoms | £42,000-£62,000 | £62,000-£90,000 |
| Healthcare / NHS | £35,000-£50,000 | £50,000-£70,000 |
| Retail / E-commerce | £40,000-£58,000 | £58,000-£80,000 |
| Energy / Utilities | £42,000-£62,000 | £62,000-£90,000 |
Financial services and big tech consistently pay the highest cybersecurity salaries in the UK.
Certification Impact on Salary
Certifications have a significant impact on cybersecurity salaries — often more so than in other tech roles.
| Certification | Typical Cost | Salary Premium | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Security+ | £300-£400 | Entry requirement | Getting started |
| CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) | £800-£1,200 | +£3,000-£6,000 | Pen testing entry |
| OSCP | £1,600-£2,000 | +£8,000-£15,000 | Penetration testers |
| CISSP | £600-£700 | +£10,000-£20,000 | Senior / management |
| CISM | £500-£700 | +£10,000-£15,000 | Security management |
| CCSP (Cloud Security) | £500-£600 | +£8,000-£12,000 | Cloud security |
| AWS Security Specialty | £300-£400 | +£5,000-£10,000 | Cloud focused |
CISSP is often called the “gold standard” for senior cybersecurity roles — many senior and management positions list it as essential.
Regional Salary Comparison
| City / Region | Mid-Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|
| London | £50,000-£70,000 | £70,000-£100,000 |
| Manchester | £40,000-£55,000 | £55,000-£80,000 |
| Edinburgh | £40,000-£55,000 | £55,000-£78,000 |
| Birmingham | £38,000-£52,000 | £52,000-£75,000 |
| Bristol | £40,000-£55,000 | £55,000-£78,000 |
| Leeds | £38,000-£52,000 | £52,000-£72,000 |
| Cardiff | £35,000-£48,000 | £48,000-£68,000 |
| Cheltenham (GCHQ area) | £38,000-£55,000 | £55,000-£80,000 |
| Remote (UK) | £42,000-£60,000 | £60,000-£90,000 |
Cheltenham is notable as a cybersecurity hub due to GCHQ and the surrounding intelligence community.
Freelance and Contract Rates
Cybersecurity contractors typically earn significantly more than permanent equivalents.
| Role | Day Rate (Inside IR35) | Day Rate (Outside IR35) |
|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | £250-£400 | £300-£450 |
| Security Engineer | £400-£600 | £450-£700 |
| Penetration Tester | £400-£650 | £500-£800 |
| Security Architect | £550-£800 | £650-£950 |
| Security Consultant | £450-£700 | £550-£850 |
| CISO (interim) | £700-£1,200 | £800-£1,500 |
Take-Home Pay Examples
| Annual Salary | Monthly Take-Home | With Student Loan (Plan 2) |
|---|---|---|
| £32,000 | ~£2,120 | ~£2,078 |
| £48,000 | ~£3,004 | ~£2,938 |
| £65,000 | ~£3,934 | ~£3,845 |
| £85,000 | ~£5,034 | ~£4,920 |
Entry Routes into Cybersecurity
Graduate Route
Computer science, cybersecurity, or related degree followed by graduate schemes at consulting firms, banks, or government.
- Starting salary: £28,000-£40,000
- Graduate schemes: Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, BAE Systems, GCHQ
Apprenticeship Route
Degree-level cybersecurity apprenticeships combine work and study.
- CyberFirst (GCHQ-backed): Bursaries and guaranteed work placement
- Employer apprenticeships: BT, Capgemini, Accenture, and others
- Salary while training: £18,000-£25,000
Career Change Route
Transitioning from IT support, networking, or development.
- Path: CompTIA Security+ → SOC Analyst role → specialise
- Timeline: 6-18 months of study to entry-level role
- Starting salary: £28,000-£35,000
Career Progression
| Stage | Timeline | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst / Junior | Year 0-2 | £28,000-£38,000 |
| Security Engineer / Analyst | Year 2-5 | £42,000-£62,000 |
| Senior Security Engineer | Year 5-8 | £62,000-£85,000 |
| Security Architect / Manager | Year 7-12 | £75,000-£100,000 |
| Head of Security / CISO | Year 10+ | £90,000-£150,000+ |