Cyber Security Salary UK 2026 averages £48,955 (median £50,000), with the biggest pay jump coming from moving out of general analyst roles into a specialism.
Cyber Security salary
Base pay £34K – £71K/yr
£49K/yr average base pay
The estimated total pay for a Cyber Security is £60,561 per year in the London area, with an average salary of £49,150 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is £11,411 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing.
The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilises salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.
What do Cyber Security earn
How much does a cyber security make in United Kingdom?
£39,996/yr
Cyber Security Salary UK by Experience
| Level | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Entry-level | £29,107 (£22K–£40K) |
| Mid-level | £35,000 – £55,000 |
| Senior/Specialist | £65,000 – £100,000+ |
Highest paying cities for Cyber Security near United Kingdom
- Milton Keynes £48,891 per year
8 salaries reported - London £47,918 per year
88 salaries reported - Leeds £47,154 per year
25 salaries reported - Birmingham £46,097 per year
16 salaries reported - Leicester £45,779 per year
11 salaries reported - Kingston upon Hull £45,204 per year
16 salaries reported - Preston £41,606 per year
8 salaries reported - Manchester £33,889 per year
8 salaries reported - Maryport £30,278 per year
10 salaries reported
What Drives Cyber Security Salary UK Growth
The jump from “responds to incidents” to “designs the defences” is where the money is — specialising in cloud security, security analytics, or penetration testing lifts pay well above general analyst rates. Certifications (CISSP, CEH, OSCP) matter more here than in most tech fields, often unlocking senior pay faster than years of experience alone. Financial services and government contracts tend to pay above the averages shown here, reflecting the higher stakes of what’s being protected.
See our Data Scientist Salary guide, or use the Paycheck Calculator.
Source: Glassdoor UK / Bristow Holland, Cyber Security Analyst Salary UK 2026
FAQs about Cyber Security Salary
What is the average cyber security salary in the UK?
£48,955 (median £50,000).
How much do entry-level cyber security analysts earn?
Around £29,107, typically £22K-£40K.
What increases cyber security pay the most?
Moving into a specialism — cloud security, security analytics, or penetration testing — over staying in general analyst roles.
Do certifications matter for cyber security pay?
Yes — CISSP, CEH, and OSCP can unlock senior-level pay faster than years of experience alone.
