Understanding Cyber Security Salaries in the UK

If you're considering a career in cyber security or looking to benchmark your current role, understanding the latest pay data is essential. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides the most authoritative picture of employee earnings in the UK. For 2025, provisional data reveals that the cyber security salary landscape offers strong rewards, with significant variation by seniority and region.

Key Pay Figures for Cyber Security Professionals

According to ONS ASHE 2025 provisional data, the median gross annual pay for cyber security professionals in the UK stood at £54,816. This translates to roughly £27.73 per hour if you work a standard 37.5-hour week (the typical full-time hours assumption used in salary conversions). The mean (average) annual pay was slightly higher at £59,569, indicating that higher earners pull the average up.

To put this in perspective, the overall UK median full-time annual earnings across all occupations was £39,039 in April 2025. Cyber security roles therefore command a premium of around 40% above the national median. Even at the 10th percentile (entry-level), annual pay of £32,302 is close to the national median, while the upper quartile (75th percentile) reaches £73,083.

Hourly to Annual Conversion: What It Means

When comparing job offers or converting between hourly rates and annual salaries, a common rule of thumb is:

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

For a typical full-time contract of 37.5 hours per week, the formula becomes:

Annual ≈ hourly × 37.5 × 52

So a cyber security professional earning the median hourly rate of £27.73 would expect an annual salary of around £54,816 (27.73 × 37.5 × 52 = 54,816). This matches the ONS figure closely. Remember that this assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, and actual pay may vary due to shift patterns, London weighting, or overtime rules. Always check your contract and use our Hourly to Salary calculator for precise conversions.

Regional Differences in Cyber Security Pay

Where you work in the UK can significantly affect your cyber security salary. The ONS data for 2025 shows notable regional variation, though some estimates come with caution due to small sample sizes.

• South West: Median annual pay of £73,291 – the highest of any region, but based on a small sample (high coefficient of variation).
• London: Median £59,590, with a median hourly rate of £32.38. London weighting often pushes pay higher to offset living costs.
• Yorkshire and The Humber: Median £54,864, close to the national median.
• North West: Median £51,954.
• Scotland: Median £51,802, with a higher hourly rate of £29.16 (possibly reflecting fewer hours).
• East of England: Median £50,328.
• South East: Hourly median £29.96, but annual figure suppressed due to reliability concerns.
• Wales: Hourly median £25.17, annual figure not available.

These figures highlight that while London offers high pay, the South West's surprisingly high median may reflect a concentration of senior roles or a small sample. For a deeper dive into regional pay, visit our salary data page.

Seniority and Experience Levels

Cyber security salaries increase sharply with experience. The ONS data provides percentiles that illustrate the career ladder:

• 10th percentile (entry-level): £32,302 annual / £16.94 hourly
• 25th percentile (lower quartile): £42,704 / £22.53
• Median (50th percentile): £54,816 / £27.73
• 75th percentile (upper quartile): £73,083 / £35.85
• 80th percentile: hourly £38.46 (annual figure suppressed)

This progression shows that moving from entry-level to experienced roles can more than double your pay. The strong median increase of 12.9% on 2024 suggests that demand for cyber security skills continues to grow, outpacing the overall UK earnings growth of 5.3%.

Overtime, London Weighting, and Other Factors

The ONS ASHE data captures basic pay including overtime for weekly and hourly figures, but annual figures include pay affected by absence. For cyber security roles, overtime is less common than in some industries, but on-call allowances or shift premiums may apply. London weighting is reflected in the regional figures, but individual employers may offer additional allowances.

When negotiating a salary, consider:

• Contractual hours: Are they 37.5, 40, or something else? Use our hourly calculator to compare.
• Bonuses and benefits: The ONS data does not include discretionary bonuses, shares, or pension contributions.
• Location: London and South East roles often include a cost-of-living supplement.

How Cyber Security Compares to Other Benchmarks

The National Living Wage for employees aged 21+ was £12.21 per hour in April 2025 (rising to £12.71 in 2026/27). Even the lowest-paid cyber security roles (10th percentile at £16.94/hr) are well above this floor. The UK median hourly pay for full-time employees across all jobs was £19.67, meaning cyber security professionals at the median earn 41% more per hour.

Summary

A career in cyber security offers competitive pay that grows significantly with experience and varies by region. The median cyber security salary of £54,816 (or £27.73/hr) places it well above the national average, with senior roles reaching £73,000+. Use the ONS data as a benchmark, but always factor in your specific role, location, and total compensation package. For more tools and comparisons, explore our salary articles and topics pages.