Part of the Cybersecurity Salary Guide — This article is one deep-dive in our complete salary series.

Entry Level Cybersecurity Salary: What to Expect in 2026

By HADESS Team | February 28, 2026 | Updated: February 28, 2026 | 10 min read

Table of Contents

• What Entry Level Cybersecurity Jobs Actually Pay
• US Entry Level Salary by Role
• UK Entry Level Cybersecurity Pay
• European Entry Level Ranges
• Does Your Background Affect Starting Salary
• Certifications That Increase Starting Pay
• Entry Level Salary by City
• First Year to Third Year Salary Growth
• How to Get the Highest Starting Salary
• Related Guides in This Series
• Take the Next Step
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Entry Level Cybersecurity Jobs Actually Pay

Entry level cybersecurity salary is one of the most searched questions from people considering a career switch into security. The answer depends on your specific role, location, and background, but the short version is: the pay is good and it gets better fast.

Cybersecurity entry-level positions pay more than entry-level roles in most other IT fields. The skills shortage means that employers compete for even junior talent, and starting salaries reflect that competition. In 2026, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 32% job growth for information security analysts through 2032, which is roughly six times the average for all occupations.

But “entry level” in cybersecurity covers a wide range. A Tier 1 SOC analyst at an MSSP earns differently from a junior GRC analyst at a bank, and both earn differently from a security support engineer at a tech company. This guide breaks down starting salaries by role, location, and background so you can set realistic expectations and negotiate effectively.

US Entry Level Salary by Role

Here are starting salaries for the most common entry-level cybersecurity positions in the US market.

Tier 1 SOC Analyst

• Range: $50,000 – $72,000
• Average: $60,000
• This is the most common entry point into cybersecurity. You monitor SIEM alerts, triage incidents, and follow playbooks. Shift work is standard, and night/weekend differentials can add $3,000 – $8,000 annually. See the full SOC analyst salary guide for progression details.

Junior Security Analyst

• Range: $52,000 – $75,000
• Average: $62,000
• Broader than SOC-specific roles. You might work on vulnerability management, security awareness, or policy compliance depending on the team structure.

Junior Penetration Tester

• Range: $65,000 – $85,000
• Average: $72,000
• Entry-level pen testing roles are competitive and harder to land without prior experience or certifications like OSCP. Many employers require 1-2 years in a security or IT role before hiring into pen testing.

Security Support / Help Desk (Security-Focused)

• Range: $42,000 – $58,000
• Average: $48,000
• Some organizations have security-specific support teams that handle access management, endpoint security tools, and basic security incident triage. These pay less than analyst roles but provide a solid entry point.

Junior GRC Analyst

• Range: $50,000 – $68,000
• Average: $58,000
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance roles involve policy documentation, audit support, and risk assessments. They suit people who prefer structured work over shift-based operations.

Junior Cloud Security Analyst

• Range: $60,000 – $80,000
• Average: $68,000
• Cloud security positions are growing fast and pay above average even at the entry level. Knowledge of AWS or Azure security services is expected.

Cybersecurity Intern (paid)

• Range: $20 – $35 per hour ($40,000 – $70,000 annualized)
• Tech companies and consulting firms offer the highest intern pay. Some internships convert directly to full-time offers, making them one of the best pathways into the field.

UK Entry Level Cybersecurity Pay

The UK market offers several entry paths with corresponding salary ranges.

Apprentice / Graduate Security Analyst

• Range: 22,000 – 28,000 GBP
• UK cybersecurity apprenticeships (Level 4 and Level 6) combine paid work with structured training. GCHQ-certified degree apprenticeships are particularly well regarded.

Junior SOC Analyst

• Range: 25,000 – 35,000 GBP (outside London)
• Range: 28,000 – 42,000 GBP (London)

Junior Pen Tester

• Range: 28,000 – 40,000 GBP

Junior GRC / Compliance Analyst

• Range: 26,000 – 36,000 GBP

UK entry-level salaries appear lower than US figures, but when you factor in NHS access, employer pension contributions (5-10%), and longer paid leave (25+ days), the real gap is smaller than it looks. See the cybersecurity salary UK guide for the full picture.

European Entry Level Ranges

Germany

• Junior Security Analyst: 38,000 – 48,000 EUR
• Junior Pen Tester: 42,000 – 52,000 EUR

Netherlands

• Junior Security Analyst: 34,000 – 44,000 EUR
• Junior Pen Tester: 38,000 – 48,000 EUR

France

• Junior Security Analyst: 30,000 – 38,000 EUR
• Junior Pen Tester: 32,000 – 42,000 EUR

Switzerland

• Junior Security Analyst: 70,000 – 85,000 CHF
• Junior Pen Tester: 75,000 – 90,000 CHF

Poland

• Junior Security Analyst: 12,000 – 20,000 EUR
• Junior Pen Tester: 14,000 – 24,000 EUR

Eastern European markets pay less in absolute terms but offer strong purchasing power. Many professionals in Poland, Romania, and Czech Republic work remotely for Western European or US companies at higher rates while enjoying lower living costs.

Does Your Background Affect Starting Salary

Yes, and significantly. Cybersecurity draws people from various backgrounds, and your starting salary reflects what experience you bring.

Career switchers from IT (help desk, sysadmin, network admin): You start 5-15% higher than someone with no IT experience. Employers value your operational knowledge of systems, networking, and troubleshooting. A sysadmin who transitions into a SOC analyst role can often negotiate $60,000 – $70,000 immediately.

Career switchers from software development: You start 10-20% higher, especially for application security, DevSecOps, or security engineering roles. Developers who move into security bring coding skills that most entry-level security candidates lack, and employers pay for that.

Military / intelligence background: US veterans with military cybersecurity experience (MOS 17C, 25D, or Navy CTN) often land $65,000 – $85,000 starting roles, especially with active security clearances. Clearances alone can add $10,000 – $20,000 to your starting pay.

Recent graduates (cybersecurity or CS degree): Starting salaries range from $50,000 – $68,000 depending on internship experience and location. A degree helps you get through HR filters but does not command a premium over candidates with equivalent practical skills.

Career switchers from non-technical fields: Starting at $45,000 – $58,000 is typical. You will likely enter through GRC, security awareness, or support roles rather than technical positions. The key is to get your foot in the door and build technical skills on the job.

Bootcamp graduates: Starting salaries vary widely ($48,000 – $65,000) depending on the bootcamp quality and your ability to demonstrate hands-on skills. Employers are increasingly comfortable with bootcamp graduates, but you need to show practical skills beyond what the bootcamp teaches. Assess your readiness with our skills assessment.

Certifications That Increase Starting Pay

Certifications can meaningfully boost your entry-level salary, but not all certifications carry equal weight.

CompTIA Security+ ($5,000 – $10,000 increase): The most widely accepted entry-level certification. It is often a job requirement rather than a nice-to-have, especially for government and DoD positions. Getting Security+ before you start job hunting is one of the highest-ROI moves you can make.

CompTIA CySA+ ($5,000 – $8,000 increase): Directly relevant for SOC analyst roles. It signals that you understand threat detection and incident response concepts. Pairing CySA+ with Security+ makes you a strong candidate for Tier 1 SOC positions.

AWS Solutions Architect Associate or AWS Security Specialty ($8,000 – $15,000 increase): Cloud certifications carry significant weight because cloud security skills are scarce. If you want to enter cybersecurity through cloud security, an AWS certification combined with Security+ positions you well.

OSCP ($10,000 – $15,000 increase): The gold standard for pen testing. Holding OSCP as an entry-level candidate is rare and makes you stand out immediately. The exam is hard, but passing it on your first attempt sends a strong signal to employers. Plan your path with our certificate roadmap.

Splunk Core Certified Power User ($3,000 – $7,000 increase): Directly applicable to SOC roles. If the employer uses Splunk (many do), this certification gives you immediate operational value on day one.

Entry Level Salary by City

Geography has a major impact on starting pay. Here are entry-level cybersecurity salaries in top US cities.

Washington, DC stands out because government contractors and agencies concentrated in the DMV area create high demand for cleared cybersecurity professionals. Even entry-level positions at defense contractors in the DC metro regularly start at $65,000+.

Remote entry-level roles exist but are less common than remote positions for experienced professionals. Many employers prefer to train new hires on-site. When you do find a remote entry-level position, the salary is usually benchmarked to the company’s headquarters location or a national average.

First Year to Third Year Salary Growth

One of the best things about cybersecurity compensation is how fast it grows in the early years. Here is what typical salary progression looks like for someone who starts as a Tier 1 SOC analyst.

Year 1: $55,000 – $65,000 (starting salary)
Year 2: $62,000 – $78,000 (after getting CySA+ and handling real incidents)
Year 3: $72,000 – $92,000 (promoted to Tier 2 or moved to a new employer)

That is 30-45% growth in three years, which far exceeds most other fields. The fastest salary growth comes from combining skill development with strategic job changes. Internal promotions typically yield 5-10% raises, while switching employers yields 15-25%.

The key inflection point is moving from Tier 1 to Tier 2 analyst or from junior to mid-level in any specialty. This usually happens between 18 and 30 months into your career, depending on how aggressively you pursue skill development.

After three years, you should be earning mid-level salary regardless of your entry point. If you are still earning entry-level pay after three years, something is wrong with your development path or your employer is underpaying you. Use our salary calculator to check.

How to Get the Highest Starting Salary

Negotiate your first offer. Many entry-level candidates accept the first number an employer offers. Do not do this. Research market rates, know your value, and ask for 10-15% above the initial offer. The worst that happens is they say no and you accept the original number.

Get Security+ before you apply. This certification removes one objection from the hiring manager’s list and often moves you into a higher salary band. The investment ($400 exam fee plus study time) pays for itself within the first month of employment.

Target high-paying industries. Financial services, defense contractors, and technology companies pay 15-25% more than managed security service providers or general IT companies for the same entry-level roles. Apply broadly and prioritize offers from higher-paying sectors.

Build a home lab and document it. Set up a SIEM, configure detection rules, investigate sample attacks, and write it up on a blog or GitHub repository. This demonstrates hands-on skill that separates you from candidates who only have certifications and classroom experience.

Apply to more jobs than you think you need to. The entry-level cybersecurity market is competitive. Apply to 50-100 positions, not 5-10. Cast a wide net geographically and be open to relocation or remote work. Each offer you receive gives you more negotiating power.

Develop your career skills using our skills development resources to identify and fill gaps that employers care about.

Related Guides in This Series

• SOC Analyst Salary: US, UK, Europe Breakdown
• Cybersecurity Salary UK: Complete Guide
• Cybersecurity vs Software Engineer Salary

Take the Next Step

See what you should earn with our Salary Calculator to benchmark your first cybersecurity offer against real market data.

Not sure where to start? Our Career Skills Assessment identifies your strengths and recommends the fastest path to your first cybersecurity role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make $100K in cybersecurity with no experience?

Not typically in your first year. Entry-level cybersecurity salaries in the US range from $50,000 – $85,000 depending on role and location. However, reaching $100,000 within 2-4 years is realistic if you develop your skills aggressively, earn relevant certifications, and make strategic job moves. In high-cost cities like San Francisco or DC, some entry-level roles start near $90,000, and $100K is achievable within 12-18 months.

Is a cybersecurity degree worth it for salary purposes?

A degree helps you get past automated applicant filters and some HR requirements, but it does not guarantee a higher starting salary compared to candidates with equivalent practical skills and certifications. Bootcamps, self-study, and hands-on experience can be equally effective for entering the field. What matters most to hiring managers is whether you can do the work.

Which entry-level cybersecurity job pays the most?

Junior cloud security analyst and junior penetration tester roles pay the highest among entry-level positions, with starting ranges of $60,000 – $85,000 in the US. However, these roles are also the most competitive to land. Junior SOC analyst roles offer more openings and still provide strong starting pay ($50,000 – $72,000).

How much does cybersecurity pay compared to regular IT?

Entry-level cybersecurity positions typically pay 15-30% more than equivalent entry-level IT positions (help desk, desktop support, junior network admin). A Tier 1 SOC analyst starting at $60,000 compared to a help desk technician starting at $42,000 illustrates the difference. The gap grows at mid and senior levels because cybersecurity specialization commands a premium.

Should I accept a lower salary to get my first cybersecurity job?

Sometimes, yes. Your first security job is the hardest to get, and the long-term earning potential far outweighs a modest starting salary. If an offer is below market but gives you hands-on security experience, it may be worth accepting with a plan to move within 12-18 months once you have the experience to command higher pay. But do not accept dramatically below-market offers from employers who are just trying to get cheap labor.

— HADESS Team consists of cybersecurity practitioners, hiring managers, and career strategists who have collectively spent 50+ years in the field.