Your Cyber Security Salary Guide by Role and Region
Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand. Companies pay top dollar to protect their data. Your salary depends on your specific role and your location. Specialised skills mean higher pay. Experience always increases your earning potential. We will break down what you can expect to earn across different cybersecurity roles and regions.
Entry-Level Cyber Security Roles
You start your career here. These roles build your foundational skills. Your responsibilities align with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Detect and Respond functions.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst Tier 1
You monitor security systems 24/7. You are the first line of defence. You triage alerts and manage incidents. This role is crucial for immediate detection.
Your salary range is wide. In the US, entry-level SOC analysts earn around $65,000 to $85,000. In the UK, expect a range of £30,000 to £40,000. Experience of just one year can boost your pay significantly. From my experience, you should focus on gaining skills with SIEM tools.
Information Security Analyst
You serve as the vigilant sentry for digital assets. You perform risk assessments and manage access controls. You report on the overall security posture. This role touches upon NIST Identify and Protect functions.
US salaries for this role start at about $70,000 to $100,000. Median pay globally is often higher than for general IT roles. For example, a senior analyst with a CISSP often earns over $107,000. Your pay moves up fast with certification.
Mid-Level Technical Roles
These jobs require hands-on technical skills. You design and implement security controls. Your responsibilities heavily fall under the NIST Protect function. You move beyond monitoring into building defences.
Cyber Security Engineer
You design and build secure systems. You set up firewalls, endpoint protection, and network segmentation. You need strong skills in scripting, like Python. You must understand how to integrate security into development.
Mid-level engineers in the US typically earn $115,000 to $135,000. In the UK, a comparable salary is £65,000 to £80,000. Certifications like the CISSP or CompTIA Security+ increase your value. You’ll be surprised to know how much companies pay for deep cloud security knowledge.
Penetration Tester or Ethical Hacker
You act like a criminal to help the company. You conduct authorised attacks to find weaknesses. You test systems, networks, and applications. Your work directly prevents future breaches.
US salaries for mid-level roles average $105,000 to $130,000. The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification commands a premium. Your specialisation, like web application testing, affects your pay. Companies pay more for testers who find flaws that other people miss.
Cloud Security Engineer
You secure infrastructure across major providers like AWS, Azure, or GCP. This is a very hot and highly paid specialty. You manage Identity and Access Management (IAM) and enforce encryption policies.
Entry-level pay is strong, often starting at $95,000 in the US. Mid-level cloud roles easily command $120,000 to $145,000. Salaries rise fast because cloud migration is a top business priority. Having an AWS Security Specialty certification directly boosts your compensation.
Senior and Leadership Roles
These roles focus on strategy, governance, and risk. They align with the NIST governance function. You manage teams, budgets, and overall risk appetite. Experience of over five years is often a minimum requirement.
Security Architect
You design the entire security framework. You create the blueprints for all systems. You ensure security aligns with business strategy. This role is mostly strategic, not hands-on implementation.
US salaries for this senior role range from $140,000 to $180,000. In London, you can expect between £80,000 and £110,000. You need certifications like the CISSP to succeed here. An architect balances protection goals with operational demands.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst
You handle the regulatory side of security. You ensure the company meets standards like HIPAA, GDPR, or ISO 27001. You manage policy creation and audit readiness. This role is essential in finance and healthcare.
Salaries for experienced GRC professionals often reach $95,000 to $115,000 in the US. Certifications like CISM or CRISC are highly valued. Let’s be honest. Your ability to communicate risk to non-technical leaders defines your success.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
This is the executive pinnacle of the profession. You oversee the entire security strategy and budget. You report directly to the CEO or the Board of Directors. You take full responsibility for the organization’s security posture.
The average CISO salary in the US is around $245,194. This varies hugely by company size and industry. A CISO at a large financial firm in New York might earn over $400,000. You must have extensive experience and business acumen.
Regional Salary Variations
Location dramatically impacts your earning potential. Cost of living and demand density drive salaries up in tech hubs.
United States Pay Scales
The highest salaries cluster around major tech hubs. San Jose, California, often sees the highest pay. The average annual wage there is $175,520 for security professionals. Other high-paying metro areas include Washington, D.C., Seattle, and New York. Maryland also offers strong compensation due to federal government and defence contracting work.
European Pay Scales
Salaries are generally lower than in the US but remain competitive. London is the clear top payer in the UK. A mid-level engineer there earns about £70,000. Germany and Switzerland also offer strong cybersecurity wages due to high industrial demand.
Asia Pacific Pay Scales
Salaries vary widely across the region. Australia and Singapore offer high salaries, often comparable to European rates. CISSP holders in Australia earn an impressive average of USD $148,326. India's salaries are lower in comparison but show fast growth, especially for senior, specialised roles.
Factors That Increase Your Salary
You control how much you earn. Focus on these factors to maximise your compensation.
Certification Power
Specific certifications prove your skills. The CISSP provides a strong salary boost globally. Certified professionals earn significantly more than their uncertified peers. Other top certifications include CISM, CRISC, and OSCP.
Experience is key.
Your pay increases sharply after the first three to five years. You move from analyst work into specialised engineering or architecture. Professionals with ten or more years of experience can see salaries over $211,000 at the high end.
Industry Focus
The industry you work in matters. Financial services and banking pay higher salaries. They face strict regulations and high risk. Defence contractors often pay more, especially if you have a security clearance. Tech companies pay very well, often balancing high salary with equity.
Conclusion
The demand for cybersecurity roles remains strong globally. Your career offers high earning potential. You must invest in specialised skills and certifications. Choose your region and role wisely. You control your career path and your final salary.
FAQ
What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides guidelines for managing cybersecurity risk. It organizes activities into six main functions. These functions are Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.
Which cybersecurity role pays the most?
The Chief Information Security Officer, or CISO, pays the most. The CISO leads the entire security program. Average US salaries for this executive role are over $245,000.
Does having a CISSP certification raise your salary?
Yes, the CISSP certification significantly raises your salary. CISSP holders earn an average US salary of around $134,202. This certification qualifies you for more senior roles.
How much does location affect a cybersecurity salary?
Location affects salary a lot. Salaries in high-cost, high-demand tech hubs are much higher. For example, San Francisco salaries are significantly higher than the national US average.