What UK cybersecurity actually pays.
Approximate ranges by role and sector, from junior SOC analyst to CISO. The figures in the book are fixed on the day it prints; this page is not.
| Role | Range |
|---|---|
| Junior SOC Analyst | £28,000 – £38,000 |
| Mid-level SOC Analyst / Security Engineer | £40,000 – £58,000 |
| Senior Analyst / Security Engineer | £58,000 – £75,000 |
| GRC Consultant / Risk Analyst | £38,000 – £60,000 |
| Senior GRC / Risk Manager | £60,000 – £85,000 |
| Security Architect | £75,000 – £120,000 |
| Head of Security / Deputy CISO | £100,000 – £150,000 |
| CISO | £130,000 – £250,000+ |
| Role | Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-level security roles | £25,000 – £38,000 |
| Security analyst / engineer | £38,000 – £55,000 |
| Senior security roles | £55,000 – £75,000 |
| Lead / principal security / Deputy CISO | £70,000 – £95,000 |
Outside London, expect fifteen to twenty-five percent less for equivalent roles, though hybrid working has compressed this gap. Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol have growing security teams with meaningfully lower living costs.
These are approximate, and they move. Verify against current job specifications before negotiating — a stated salary is almost always negotiable.
From The Honest Guide to Breaking Into UK Cybersecurity. Reviewed August 2026.
Told when this page changes?
Salary bands, certifications and funding rules all move. The list covers material changes here as well as new books.
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