Understanding the cyber security analyst salary landscape in the UK

If you are considering a career in cyber security or looking to benchmark your current pay, knowing the latest salary data is essential. The role of a cyber security analyst is in high demand, and earnings reflect the specialist skills required. This article breaks down the latest UK pay figures for cyber security professionals, with a focus on regional variations and seniority levels, using official ONS ASHE 2025 data.

What the latest ONS data reveals about cyber security analyst salary

The Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides the most authoritative picture of employee pay in the UK. For 2025, the provisional data shows that the median gross annual salary for all full-time employees was £39,039, with median hourly earnings of £19.67. However, cyber security professionals earn well above this national benchmark.

According to ONS ASHE data compiled for cyber security occupations, the median gross annual pay is £54,816, and the median hourly rate is £27.73. This means a typical cyber security analyst earns roughly 40% more than the median full-time worker. The data also reveals the distribution of pay across experience levels:

• 10th percentile (entry-level): £32,302 per year (£16.94 per hour)
• 25th percentile (lower quartile): £42,704 per year (£22.53 per hour)
• Median (50th percentile): £54,816 per year (£27.73 per hour)
• 75th percentile (upper quartile): £73,083 per year (£35.85 per hour)
• Mean average: £59,569 per year (£30.62 per hour)

These figures confirm that cyber security is a well-paid profession, with significant earning potential as you gain experience and move into senior roles.

Regional pay differences for cyber security analysts

Where you work in the UK can have a noticeable impact on your cyber security analyst salary. The ONS data, broken down by region, shows some surprising patterns. The highest median annual pay is actually in the South West, at £73,291 – though this figure comes with a statistical caution due to a smaller sample size. London follows at £59,590, which is above the national median for the role but lower than the South West figure. Other regions include:

• Yorkshire and The Humber: £54,864
• North West: £51,954
• Scotland: £51,802
• East of England: £50,328
• South East: data suppressed for median annual but hourly median is £29.96
• Wales: median hourly £25.17

It is important to note that these regional estimates are provisional and may be based on relatively few survey responses. London weighting – an additional allowance for higher living costs – is not always captured in base salary figures, so actual take-home pay in the capital may be higher when including such supplements.

Seniority and experience: how pay progresses

The percentile breakdown above shows how cyber security analyst salary grows with seniority. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) start around £32,000, while those at the upper quartile earn over £73,000. The mean average of £59,569 suggests that many professionals are earning above the median, pulling the average up. This indicates a profession where experienced analysts and those in lead or managerial positions can command significantly higher pay.

For comparison, NHS pay scales for 2026/27 show that a Band 6 entry-level role (which includes some IT and security roles) starts at £47,951 annually (£24.52 per hour), while Band 7 starts at £58,133 (£29.73 per hour). Cyber security roles in the private sector often exceed these public-sector benchmarks, especially at senior levels.

Converting hourly rates to annual salary

When you see an hourly rate for a cyber security analyst job, you can quickly estimate the annual equivalent. The standard conversion used in the UK is:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × contracted hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time role at 37.5 hours per week (common in many professional roles), the calculation is:

• £27.73 × 37.5 × 52 = £54,084 (close to the median)
• For entry-level at £16.94: £16.94 × 37.5 × 52 = £33,033
• For upper quartile at £35.85: £35.85 × 37.5 × 52 = £69,903

Remember that this is a rule of thumb. Actual annual pay may differ if you work unpaid overtime, receive bonuses, or have a different holiday entitlement. Use our Hourly to Salary converter for quick calculations, and check the salary calculator for more detailed estimates including tax and National Insurance.

How the National Living Wage and other benchmarks compare

The National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) was £12.21 per hour in April 2025, rising to £12.71 per hour in 2026/27. A cyber security analyst earning the median hourly rate of £27.73 earns more than double the NLW. Even at the entry-level 10th percentile (£16.94), the rate is well above the minimum. This underscores the value placed on cyber security skills in the current job market.

Caveats and considerations

All the figures in this article are based on provisional ONS ASHE 2025 data, which may be revised. The cyber security occupation category may include a range of roles from analyst to engineer, so individual job titles may vary. Additionally, the data covers employees only – contractors and freelancers in cyber security often command higher day rates, which are not reflected here.

When negotiating your salary, consider the full package: base pay, London weighting, overtime rates, bonuses, pension contributions, and other benefits. For more insights, explore our salary articles and topics on UK pay benchmarks.