Part of the Cybersecurity Salary Guide — This article is one deep-dive in our complete salary series.
Cybersecurity Salary UK: Complete Guide for 2026
By HADESS Team | February 28, 2026 | Updated: February 28, 2026 | 12 min read
Table of Contents
- UK Cybersecurity Market Overview
- Salary by Role
- London vs Rest of UK
- Salary by Industry Sector
- Contract vs Permanent Rates
- Certifications and UK Salary Impact
- Benefits and Total Compensation
- UK Salary vs US and Europe
- How to Maximize Your UK Cyber Salary
- Related Guides in This Series
- Take the Next Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
UK Cybersecurity Market Overview
The cybersecurity salary UK market has strengthened steadily since 2023. The combination of NIS2-adjacent regulations, UK GDPR enforcement by the ICO, and a persistent skills shortage has pushed salaries upward across every role and experience level.
The UK government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey consistently shows that the majority of UK businesses consider cybersecurity a high priority, yet struggle to find qualified staff. This supply-demand imbalance directly benefits practitioners, especially those with hands-on operational experience and relevant certifications.
In 2026, the UK cybersecurity workforce gap stands at approximately 11,200 unfilled positions, according to the DCMS Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market reports. Financial services, government, healthcare (NHS), and critical national infrastructure are the largest hiring sectors.
This guide covers every major cybersecurity role in the UK market with current salary data segmented by location, experience, and industry.
Salary by Role
Here is what each cybersecurity role pays in the UK in 2026. Figures represent base salary before benefits, bonuses, and pension contributions.
Security Analyst / SOC Analyst
- Junior (0-2 years): 25,000 – 38,000 GBP
- Mid-level (2-5 years): 38,000 – 55,000 GBP
- Senior (5+ years): 55,000 – 75,000 GBP
SOC analysts are the largest segment of the UK cybersecurity workforce. Financial services firms and managed security service providers (MSSPs) are the top employers. For detailed SOC salary breakdowns including tier-by-tier data, see the SOC analyst salary guide.
Penetration Tester
- Junior: 28,000 – 42,000 GBP
- Mid-level: 42,000 – 65,000 GBP
- Senior: 65,000 – 95,000 GBP
UK pen testing pay has risen sharply as CREST-certified testers remain in short supply. Consulting firms like NCC Group, WithSecure, and Pentest People anchor the market. See the penetration tester salary breakdown for specialization premiums.
Security Engineer
- Junior: 35,000 – 48,000 GBP
- Mid-level: 48,000 – 70,000 GBP
- Senior: 70,000 – 95,000 GBP
Security engineers who work with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and DevSecOps tooling earn at the top end. Infrastructure-as-code and container security skills are particularly valued.
Security Architect
- Mid-level: 65,000 – 85,000 GBP
- Senior: 85,000 – 120,000 GBP
Architecture roles require a minimum of 5-7 years experience. SABSA and TOGAF certifications are common requirements in UK job postings.
GRC / Compliance Specialist
- Junior: 30,000 – 42,000 GBP
- Mid-level: 42,000 – 60,000 GBP
- Senior / Manager: 60,000 – 90,000 GBP
UK GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and sector-specific regulations (FCA, NHS DSPT) drive demand. GRC roles pay less than technical roles at the junior level but the gap narrows at senior levels.
Incident Responder / DFIR Specialist
- Mid-level: 50,000 – 70,000 GBP
- Senior: 70,000 – 100,000 GBP
DFIR specialists are scarce in the UK market. Consultancies and law enforcement agencies (NCA, NCSC) compete for the same talent pool.
CISO
- Mid-market: 100,000 – 170,000 GBP
- Enterprise: 170,000 – 280,000 GBP
- FTSE 100: 250,000 – 400,000+ GBP
Full CISO salary analysis available in the CISO salary guide.
London vs Rest of UK
London dominates the UK cybersecurity market. About 40% of all UK cybersecurity jobs are based in London or the surrounding commuter belt. The London premium varies by role but typically adds 15-30% to salaries compared to equivalent positions outside the capital.
London premiums by role:
| Role | London | Outside London | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst (mid) | 45,000 – 60,000 | 35,000 – 48,000 | ~25% |
| Pen Tester (mid) | 50,000 – 72,000 | 40,000 – 58,000 | ~22% |
| Security Engineer (mid) | 55,000 – 78,000 | 45,000 – 62,000 | ~22% |
| CISO (mid-market) | 130,000 – 200,000 | 100,000 – 150,000 | ~30% |
However, London’s cost of living partially or fully offsets the premium. Rent alone in zones 1-3 can consume an extra 10,000 – 18,000 GBP annually compared to cities like Manchester, Bristol, or Edinburgh.
Growing tech hubs outside London:
- Manchester — Strong FinTech and MSSP presence. Growing rapidly.
- Edinburgh — Financial services hub with established cybersecurity practices.
- Bristol — Defense and aerospace sector. BAE Systems, Airbus, GCHQ presence nearby.
- Leeds — Financial services and public sector. Lower cost of living.
- Glasgow — Government and defense. NCSC has invested in Scottish cyber initiatives.
- Belfast — Emerging tech hub with competitive salaries relative to cost of living.
Remote work has flattened some of the geographic premium. Many London-based employers now offer hybrid or fully remote positions at London salary rates, which benefits candidates outside the capital. However, shift-based SOC roles and positions requiring security clearance often mandate on-site presence.
Salary by Industry Sector
UK cybersecurity salaries vary significantly by sector.
Financial Services (banks, insurance, asset management): 15-25% above average. FCA regulations, PCI DSS requirements, and the constant threat of financial cybercrime drive spending. The largest UK banks maintain SOCs of 50-200+ people each.
Government and Defense: Salaries are 10-15% below the private sector, but benefits (pension, job security, clearance pathway) partially compensate. GCHQ, NCSC, MoD, and intelligence agencies pay civil service rates with additional allowances for specialist skills.
Technology Companies: Pay at or above average, especially for roles at cloud providers, SaaS companies, and cybersecurity vendors. Equity compensation can add 10-30% for pre-IPO companies.
Professional Services / Consulting: Pay at the top end for experienced practitioners, with billable hour expectations to match. Big Four firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and specialist consultancies (NCC Group, Mandiant) drive this segment.
Healthcare (NHS and private): 10-20% below average. NHS Agenda for Change banding limits cybersecurity salaries, though NHS Digital and specialist trusts have found ways to offer market-competitive rates for hard-to-fill positions.
Critical National Infrastructure (energy, telecoms, transport): Pays at or above average. NIS regulations require operators of essential services to maintain mature security capabilities, which drives hiring and pay.
Contract vs Permanent Rates
The UK contracting market for cybersecurity professionals is active, particularly inside IR35 reform boundaries.
Day rates for cybersecurity contractors:
| Role | Inside IR35 | Outside IR35 |
|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst (mid) | 350 – 500 GBP/day | 400 – 550 GBP/day |
| Pen Tester (mid) | 450 – 650 GBP/day | 500 – 750 GBP/day |
| Security Engineer (senior) | 500 – 700 GBP/day | 550 – 800 GBP/day |
| Security Architect | 600 – 850 GBP/day | 650 – 950 GBP/day |
| CISO (interim) | 800 – 1,200 GBP/day | 900 – 1,500 GBP/day |
IR35 status significantly affects take-home pay. Many UK cybersecurity roles have been classified inside IR35 since the April 2021 reforms, especially in the public sector and at large private-sector organizations. Outside-IR35 roles are more common at smaller companies and for genuine project-based work.
Contractors earn more per day than permanent employees, but forgo benefits including pension contributions (typically 5-10% employer match), private health insurance, training budgets, and paid leave. Over a full year with typical utilization (220-230 working days), a mid-level security engineer contractor inside IR35 would earn 77,000 – 154,000 GBP gross, compared to a permanent salary of 48,000 – 70,000 GBP plus benefits.
Certifications and UK Salary Impact
Certifications carry different weight in the UK market compared to the US.
CISSP: The most requested certification in UK cybersecurity job postings. Holding CISSP adds an estimated 8,000 – 15,000 GBP to your salary. It is almost mandatory for senior and management-level positions.
CREST CRT / CCT: Required for penetration testers working at CREST-accredited firms. Most UK pen testing consulting roles require at least the CRT. Holding CCT (the advanced credential) puts you in the top tier of UK pen testers.
CompTIA Security+ / CySA+: Good entry credentials for junior roles. The salary premium is modest (3,000 – 5,000 GBP) but they help you get through recruiter filters.
OSCP: Highly valued in UK pen testing roles, especially at technical consultancies. Adds 5,000 – 12,000 GBP to pen tester salaries.
SC-Cleared Certifications: Government and defense roles require Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. These are not traditional certifications but holding active clearance adds 5,000 – 15,000 GBP to your market value. Plan your career using our certificate roadmap.
Benefits and Total Compensation
UK cybersecurity compensation includes several components beyond base salary.
- Pension contributions: Employer contributions of 5-10% are standard. Some financial services firms contribute up to 15%.
- Private health insurance: Offered by most mid-to-large employers. Family coverage adds 2,000 – 5,000 GBP in value.
- Training budget: 1,000 – 5,000 GBP annually for certifications and conferences. Some employers cover SANS training (3,000 – 7,000 GBP per course).
- Annual leave: Standard 25 days plus bank holidays. Some employers offer 28-30 days.
- Bonus: 5-15% for technical roles, 15-30% for management and leadership.
- Cycle to Work scheme, tech salary sacrifice: Common but modest in value.
Total compensation for a UK cybersecurity professional is typically 20-35% above base salary when all benefits are factored in.
UK Salary vs US and Europe
How does UK cybersecurity pay compare internationally?
| Role (Mid-Level) | UK | US | Germany |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | 42,000 GBP | $85,000 | 55,000 EUR |
| Pen Tester | 55,000 GBP | $110,000 | 65,000 EUR |
| Security Engineer | 58,000 GBP | $120,000 | 65,000 EUR |
| CISO | 160,000 GBP | $300,000 | 180,000 EUR |
UK salaries are generally 30-40% lower than US equivalents in nominal terms. However, the gap narrows when you account for NHS access (no health insurance premiums), employer pension contributions, longer annual leave, and parental leave policies. The effective difference is closer to 15-25%.
European salaries are broadly comparable to UK levels, with Switzerland being the notable exception at significantly higher pay across all roles.
How to Maximize Your UK Cyber Salary
Target financial services. The FS sector pays the highest cybersecurity salaries in the UK, and London-based banks have the deepest budgets. Even if you do not want to stay in FS long-term, a few years at a bank significantly boosts your market value.
Get CREST certified if you are a pen tester. The UK pen testing market runs on CREST accreditation. Without it, your options are limited. With it, you can command premium rates.
Negotiate at the offer stage. UK employers expect negotiation. The first offer is rarely the final offer. Ask for data on internal salary bands and benchmark against market rates. Use our salary calculator to prepare.
Consider contracting. If you have 3+ years of experience and are comfortable with less job security, contracting can increase your income by 30-60% compared to permanent employment. The math works especially well outside London where cost of living is lower.
Develop cloud security skills. AWS and Azure security skills are the most in-demand specializations in the UK market right now. Engineers who can secure cloud-native architectures are consistently offered at the top of salary bands. Build these through our skills development resources.
Explore visa sponsorship employers. International candidates should review the UK visa sponsorship and salary guide — many UK employers actively sponsor skilled cybersecurity professionals.
Related Guides in This Series
- UK Cyber Jobs: Visa Sponsorship and Salary Guide
- SOC Analyst Salary: US, UK, Europe Breakdown
- Entry Level Cybersecurity Salary: What to Expect
Take the Next Step
Benchmark your UK salary with our Salary Calculator to compare your pay against the latest market data for your role, experience, and region.
Looking for UK employers that sponsor visas? Use our UK Sponsor Finder to identify organizations hiring cybersecurity professionals with Tier 2 visa sponsorship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cybersecurity salary in the UK?
The average cybersecurity salary in the UK in 2026 is approximately 52,000 – 58,000 GBP across all roles and experience levels. This figure includes everything from entry-level analysts to senior architects. Mid-level practitioners with 3-5 years experience typically earn 45,000 – 70,000 GBP depending on role, location, and sector.
Is London worth it for cybersecurity salaries?
It depends on your personal situation. London offers 15-30% higher salaries and the widest range of opportunities, but housing costs can offset the premium. If you can secure a London-rate remote position while living outside the capital, you get the best of both worlds. Many employers now offer this arrangement.
Are cybersecurity salaries in the UK keeping up with inflation?
Yes, cybersecurity salaries have grown faster than UK inflation since 2022. Annual salary increases of 5-8% are common for practitioners who change roles or negotiate effectively. The skills shortage ensures that employers must offer competitive pay to attract and retain talent.
Do UK cybersecurity jobs require security clearance?
Only for government, defense, and certain critical national infrastructure roles. About 20-25% of UK cybersecurity positions require SC or DV clearance. The clearance process takes 2-6 months and requires UK residency history. Private sector roles rarely require clearance unless they involve government contract work.
Is it better to be a contractor or permanent employee in UK cybersecurity?
Contractors earn more per day but lose benefits. At the mid-level, a contractor working 230 days per year inside IR35 earns roughly 25-40% more gross than the equivalent permanent salary. However, after accounting for lost pension contributions, holiday pay, sick leave, and training budget, the real premium is closer to 15-25%. Contracting works best for experienced professionals who value flexibility and have enough financial buffer to handle gaps between contracts.
— HADESS Team consists of cybersecurity practitioners, hiring managers, and career strategists who have collectively spent 50+ years in the field.
