What kind of salary can you expect in cyber security jobs?

In the modern world, the threat of digital attacks cannot be underestimated. It affects all organisations, big and small, across both the private and public sectors. According to the CyberEdge 2022 Cyberthreat Defense Report, more than 80 per cent of businesses in the UK were affected by successful hacks.

 

What is cyber security?

With cyber threats becoming increasingly prevalent, companies require talented individuals to keep their confidential data and assets safe. In fact, it’s one of the most in-demand fields right now due to the importance of digital assets in the business world and the constantly evolving risk posed by cyber criminals.

A solid cyber security provision will offer protection against malicious attacks, designed to access, alter or destroy an organisation’s systems or data. It’s also pivotal in identifying and preventing threats before they can develop into serious issues.

 

What does a cyber security professional do?

Cyber security is a broad field of work, with many different roles and responsibilities. Of course, the overall goal for all of the experts in the sector is to protect the organisation they work for.

As a cyber security professional, you’ll be asked to wear many hats. Experts need to have undergone a certain level of learning and training to develop the necessary skills and experience for the job. Some professionals will be highly versed in specific vendors’ products, like CISCO Systems, whilst others will have broad knowledge across various domains, including operating systems and mobile applications.

 

What qualifications do you need to work in cyber security?

If you have a specific interest in cyber security and are looking to pursue a career in the industry, the best way to start your journey is by taking a relevant subject at degree level. This could be Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering or a wide variety of other STEM subjects.

For professionals already working within the sector, there is a plethora of qualifications you can achieve to boost your career prospects. Some of the most popular include:

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

 

Is it worth it to get into cyber security?

There are lots of reasons why cyber security is a fantastic career path. Primarily, the market favours jobseekers right now - a global shortage of experts has led to extremely low unemployment rates within the industry. In other words, as long as you have achieved the appropriate qualifications and gained sufficient work experience, your chances of landing the perfect job are greater than in many other sectors.

Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities for remote working and cyber security offers a healthy salary range for professionals. By progressing your career in the field, you can expect to make significantly more than the national average.

 

What is the average salary for cyber security jobs?

Cyber security is a vast sector with a plethora of job roles. This means that different professionals earn varying salaries, depending on their individual skills, experience and title.

In the UK, the typical salary for a cyber security expert is between £40,000 to £80,000 per year, although this will differ depending on how much experience you have. 

Like any industry, specific roles within cyber security are more in demand. According to the UK Cybersecurity Salary Survey 2023, the highest pay rises have been seen in incident response, identity and access management (IAM) and governance, risk and compliance (GRC) from 2022 to 2023.

 

Entry-level cyber security salaries

For those looking to get into cyber security for the first time, you can expect to take home between £25,000 to £30,000 per year. However, this isn’t the case for all positions. Even at entry-level, certain roles will offer up to £40,000 in compensation, signposting how lucrative the sector can be to work in.

The UK Cybersecurity Salary Survey 2023 revealed that GRC offers some of the most well-paying jobs. An entry-level executive working in this field can expect to receive around £37,500 on average, whilst an IAM specialist could earn £45,000 at the start of their career.

 

Mid-level cyber security salaries

According to data from Glassdoor, the average salary for a mid-level professional in the cyber security industry is £42,294 per year. Interestingly, those working in specific niches, like GRC and IAM, command salaries ranging from £80,000 to £100,000.

 

 

High-level cyber security salaries

Professionals with years of experience under their belts can expect significantly higher salaries than workers in many other fields. For example, an IAM leader receives £82,500 on average, whilst a senior executive can expect to take home over £130,000.

Areas that carry a high level of compensation include security architecture, management positions and certain C-suite titles, such as chief security officer. In most senior roles within cyber security, you’ll be guaranteed a salary of at least £100,000.

 

Cyber security jobs in the UK

To find out more about cyber security jobs in the UK, or start your search, head to CyberSecurityJobsite.co.uk. You’ll find positions currently available to you, including apprenticeships, internships and graduate roles.

Additionally, take a look at our events page. By attending, you’ll be able to network with experienced professionals and industry-leading organisations to find the cyber security job that’s perfect for you.

Browse our full range of available jobs to find out what skills and experiences employers are looking for, and register your CV so recruiters can find you easily.