United Kingdom Cybersecurity Salaries: What Can You Expect to Earn?
Last Updated: December 23rd 2024
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In the UK, cybersecurity salaries in 2025 range from £25,000-£40,000 for entry-level roles to over £250,000 for Chief Information Security Officers. London leads in high-paying jobs, but Manchester and Leeds are catching up. Key sectors like finance and healthcare offer generous packages, especially with needed certifications. Emerging roles in AI and cloud security are in demand, boosting potential earnings significantly. Entry-level professionals can earn up to £62,500, with London-based positions offering £60,000-£70,000 even with minimal experience. The job market is thriving, driven by increasing cyber threats.
The UK's cybersecurity landscape is seriously heating up in 2025, especially with the new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill coming into play.
Entry-level positions like Information Security Officers now start at £25,000 to £40,000, while mid-level Threat Analysts can earn between £45,000 to £80,000.
The real money makers are the CISOs, pulling in over £250,000 at major companies. The new cybersecurity regulations are creating tons of specialized roles across different sectors.
With the government's massive cybersecurity reform rolling out, there's an extra push for qualified professionals in both public and private sectors.
The highest salaries are typically found in London's financial district, but cities like Manchester and Leeds are catching up fast, offering competitive packages to attract talent.
Whether you're into threat detection, incident response, or compliance, there's serious money to be made. The key is staying on top of the latest security trends and certifications - companies are willing to pay premium rates for professionals who can handle the evolving threat landscape.
Banking and fintech sectors are particularly generous with their compensation packages, especially for roles involving emerging technologies.
Table of Contents
- Entry-Level Cybersecurity Salaries in the United Kingdom
- Mid-Level Cybersecurity Salaries in the United Kingdom
- Senior-Level and Executive Cybersecurity Salaries in the United Kingdom
- Industry Impact on Cybersecurity Salaries in the United Kingdom
- Location Influences on Cybersecurity Salaries in the UK
- Educational Background and Certifications in the UK Cybersecurity Sector
- Current Job Market and Future Prospects in the UK Cybersecurity Field
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Entry-Level Cybersecurity Salaries in the United Kingdom
(Up)Starting a career in cybersecurity in the UK is looking pretty sweet right now! According to recent salary data, entry-level cybersecurity positions are starting at £35,000, with potential to reach £62,500 as you gain experience.
London-based professionals are especially lucky - cyber security engineers in London can earn between £60,000 to £70,000 even with 0-3 years of experience.
The total compensation package for entry-level positions averages around £57,139, including bonuses and additional benefits.
The field is seriously growing, and companies are willing to pay well for fresh talent. Your starting salary can vary based on your location and industry - financial services and tech companies typically offer the highest compensation.
Having relevant certifications definitely helps boost your earning potential, and many employers offer training opportunities to help you level up your skills.
The best part? These salaries are expected to keep rising as the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow. If you're thinking about getting into cybersecurity, now's a perfect time to jump in - the field is literally waiting for new talent to join!
Mid-Level Cybersecurity Salaries in the United Kingdom
(Up)As a mid-level cybersecurity professional in the UK, you can expect pretty decent money in 2025. According to recent salary data, cyber security specialists are earning between £45,923 to £72,542, with the average hitting around £55,041 per year.
Threat Analysts specifically are making about £40,316, though this can vary based on location and experience. What's interesting is that some professionals on Reddit have noticed salary offerings aren't as high as they were a few years ago, but don't let that discourage you.
The real money comes with specialization - specialized roles like Security Consultants can earn up to £120,000 annually.
If you're just starting out, focus on getting certifications like CISSP or CEH - they're basically guaranteed salary boosters. Experience is super important too; with 5-7 years under your belt, you'll be looking at the higher end of these ranges.
The best part? Companies are desperate for people with real skills, so if you put in the work to get certified and gain hands-on experience, you'll definitely have negotiating power when it comes to your salary.
Just remember that location matters - London-based roles typically pay more than positions in other UK cities, but they also come with higher living costs.
The market's competitive, but if you've got the right mix of skills and experience, you're in a strong position.
Senior-Level and Executive Cybersecurity Salaries in the United Kingdom
(Up)The UK cybersecurity job market is seriously rewarding for senior-level professionals right now. Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in London are pulling in between £130,000 to £160,000 annually, with experienced professionals hitting up to £270,000 at top firms.
Senior cybersecurity consultants are averaging £65,157 per year, while security architects can earn between £90,000 to £110,000.
The compensation usually includes performance bonuses and other perks, especially in financial institutions.
The finance sector remains the highest-paying industry, with healthcare and government sectors following closely.
Here's what you can expect to earn in different sectors:
- Finance Sector: £200,000 - £270,000
- Healthcare Sector: £130,000 - £180,000
- Government Agencies: £95,000 - £140,000
What's interesting is how fintech startups and e-commerce companies are now offering competitive packages to attract top talent.
They're matching traditional sectors' salaries and often throwing in equity compensation. The key to landing these high-paying roles? Getting the right certifications and staying current with emerging threats.
With cyber attacks becoming more sophisticated, companies are willing to pay premium rates for professionals who can protect their digital assets and maintain regulatory compliance.
If you're starting out, focus on building practical experience and getting certified - the investment will definitely pay off.
Industry Impact on Cybersecurity Salaries in the United Kingdom
(Up)In the United Kingdom, cybersecurity salaries are seriously impressive right now, with the average cybersecurity professional earning £87,204 - more than double the typical UK salary.
The financial sector continues to lead the pack in compensation, but different roles command different salaries. According to recent data, Governance, Risk and Compliance specialists can earn up to £230,000, while Cloud Security experts pull in up to £222,500 annually.
The job market is super active too, with cybersecurity positions now making up 5% of all tech jobs in the UK. Even entry-level positions are paying well - starting salaries for Incident Response roles begin at £54,250, while Identity and Access Management roles start at £45,000.
new job creation in cybersecurity is up 16% compared to pre-pandemic levels, and 51% of companies plan to increase their cybersecurity investment this year.
Companies are competing hard for talent across all industries, from fintech startups to government agencies.
The pandemic and rising cyber threats have totally changed the game, pushing salaries higher. But it's worth noting that the job comes with its challenges - about 55% of professionals report losing sleep over work stress, and many put in extra hours.
Still, with these salary levels and the constant demand for skilled professionals, cybersecurity remains one of the most financially rewarding career paths in tech.
Location Influences on Cybersecurity Salaries in the UK
(Up)The location impact on UK cybersecurity salaries is pretty wild in 2024! According to recent research, the average cybersecurity salary now stands at £87,204 - more than double the UK average wage of £34,900.
While London's still bringing the heat with higher salaries, Birmingham is actually topping entry-level salaries at £35,600, compared to London's £35,067.
Remote work is changing the game too, with average salaries hitting £52,286 - higher than any single fixed location!
Starting out in the North East? Entry-level positions begin around £28,000, with potential to climb to £55,840.
The north-south pay divide is actually starting to close, making it possible to build a solid career anywhere in the UK.
Location isn't the only factor anymore - your skills and certifications can seriously boost your earning potential, especially with the current skills shortage.
Plus, with more companies offering flexible and remote work options, you're not as tied to specific locations as you used to be.
The industry's growth is creating opportunities everywhere, with some senior roles even hitting £200k+.
Just keep in mind that while London might flash the biggest numbers, your money might actually go further in other tech hubs around the country.
- Average Salary Insight: The average cybersecurity salary is now £87,204, more than double the UK average wage.
- Location and Salary: Birmingham tops entry-level salaries at £35,600, surpassing London.
- Remote Work Influence: Remote work drives average salaries to £52,286, higher than any fixed location.
- Career Opportunities Everywhere: The north-south pay divide is closing, enabling career growth across the UK.
- Skill Impact on Earnings: Skills and certifications significantly amplify earning potential amid a skills shortage.
Educational Background and Certifications in the UK Cybersecurity Sector
(Up)In the UK cybersecurity sector, your educational background can seriously boost your earning potential. Entry-level professionals with relevant qualifications typically start at £30,000, but this can quickly increase with experience and additional certifications.
A bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Technology is still the go-to foundation, but what's really interesting is that a master's degree can lead to a 70% pay increase in some cases, especially when combined with practical experience.
According to recent data, cybersecurity experts in the UK earn an average of £51,017, with salaries ranging from £30,000 to £65,000 depending on qualifications and expertise.
Certifications are absolutely crucial - CISSP, CEH, and OSCP holders consistently land higher-paying positions. The real game-changer is specializing in specific areas like Identity and Access Management (IAM) or Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), where salaries can jump to £80,000-£100,000 for mid-level positions.
What's particularly cool is how certain specializations can fast-track your earning potential.
For instance, cloud security specialists can earn up to £230,000 annually, while incident response experts start at around £54,250 and can progress to £100,000+ with experience.
Companies are desperately seeking professionals with the right mix of education and practical skills, making it an awesome time to invest in both formal education and industry certifications.
Current Job Market and Future Prospects in the UK Cybersecurity Field
(Up)The UK cybersecurity job market is absolutely exploding right now! According to recent industry analysis, we're looking at a massive skills shortage with 3.5 million unfilled positions expected by 2025.
What's really interesting is that 44% of UK businesses don't have the right skills to protect against cyber attacks, which is pretty scary when you think about it.
The good news? For anyone looking to break into the field, salaries are seriously competitive, ranging from £50,000 to £80,000 per year, with entry-level positions starting around £40,000.
The landscape is changing super fast, with cloud security and AI becoming huge focus areas.
Companies are desperately searching for people who know their stuff in threat detection, incident response, and risk management. What's really cool is that many roles are going remote - I'm talking about positions like Security Analysts and Threat Hunters that you can do from pretty much anywhere.
Plus, with the UK government investing £1.3m in cyber initiatives and major companies boosting their security budgets, there's never been a better time to jump into cybersecurity.
For anyone serious about getting started, the most in-demand skills right now are cloud security, ethical hacking, and application security. You'll want to look into certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP - they're basically gold standards in the industry. The field is growing like crazy, especially in sectors like financial services and healthcare, where protecting sensitive data is crucial. And with cyber threats evolving literally every day, the job security in this field is pretty much guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Up)What are the expected entry-level cybersecurity salaries in the United Kingdom?
Entry-level positions in the UK cybersecurity sector typically start at £25,000 to £40,000, with potential to reach £62,500 with experience. London-based professionals may earn between £60,000 to £70,000 even with 0-3 years of experience.
How much can mid-level cybersecurity professionals earn in the UK?
Mid-level cybersecurity professionals in the UK can expect to earn between £45,923 to £72,542, with an average salary of around £55,041 per year. Specialized roles may command up to £120,000.
What are the salaries for senior-level and executive cybersecurity roles in the UK?
Senior-level cybersecurity roles in the UK typically earn between £130,000 to £160,000 annually, with the potential to reach £270,000 in top firms. Finance, healthcare, and government sectors offer competitive packages.
Which locations in the UK offer the highest cybersecurity salaries?
London offers the highest cybersecurity salaries, especially in the financial district, but cities like Manchester and Leeds are also providing competitive packages to attract talent. Birmingham is noted for topping entry-level salaries at £35,600.
How do certifications and skills impact cybersecurity salaries in the UK?
Certifications such as CISSP, CEH, and OSCP significantly boost earning potential in the UK cybersecurity industry. Specializing in areas like Identity and Access Management (IAM) or Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) can result in salaries reaching £80,000-£100,000 for mid-level roles.
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Chevas Balloun
Director of Marketing & Brand
Chevas has spent over 15 years inventing brands, designing interfaces, and driving engagement for companies like Microsoft. He is a practiced writer, a productivity app inventor, board game designer, and has a builder-mentality drives entrepreneurship.