Cybersecurity Specialist Salary UK: A City-by-City Breakdown

A cybersecurity specialist salary in the UK varies widely across different cities and regions. Whether you’re a professional considering a move or an employer planning their hiring strategies, it pays to understand the differences. As executive search specialists with extensive UK market experience, SECURE provides detailed analysis of regional compensation trends.

London: The Cyber Security Salary London Premium

Cyber security salary in London consistently commands the highest compensation levels in the UK market, typically 15-25% above national averages. This premium reflects several factors:
Market Concentration: London hosts the UK’s largest concentration of financial services, technology companies, and professional services firms, all requiring advanced cybersecurity capabilities.
Living Cost Adjustment: Higher accommodation, transport, and general living costs drive compensation upward to maintain attractive value propositions for professionals.

Talent Competition: Intense competition for skilled cybersecurity professionals creates bidding wars and premium package offerings.

Typical London Salary Ranges:

– Entry Level: £45,000-£60,000 (vs £35,000-£50,000 national average)
– Mid-Level: £75,000-£100,000 (vs £65,000-£85,000 national average)
– Senior Level: £110,000-£150,000+ (vs £90,000-£125,000 national average)
– Contract Rates: London daily rates often exceed £800-£1,200 for senior specialists, compared to £600-£900 in other regions.

Security Salary in Manchester: The Northern Powerhouse

Cyber security salary in Manchester represents excellent value for both employers and professionals. The city’s growing technology sector and lower living costs create attractive packages:

Emerging Tech Hub: Manchester’s MediaCity, growing fintech sector, and digital transformation initiatives drive cybersecurity demand.

Value Positioning: Competitive salaries combined with lower living costs often provide superior quality of life compared to London.

Typical Manchester Salary Ranges:

Entry Level: £38,000-£52,000
Mid-Level: £65,000-£85,000
Senior Level: £85,000-£115,000

Regional Premium: Manchester cybersecurity salaries typically achieve 5-10% above general Northern England rates, reflecting the city’s technology concentration.

Average Cybersecurity Salary UK: National Perspective

Average cybersecurity salary UK figures provide baseline expectations, but regional variations significantly impact actual compensation:

National Averages by Experience:

• Graduate/Entry Level: £35,000-£50,000
• 3-5 Years Experience: £55,000-£75,000
• 5-10 Years Experience: £75,000-£100,000

Senior Specialist (10+ Years): £100,000-£140,000+

These averages mask significant regional and sectoral variations that professionals should consider when evaluating opportunities.

Cyber Security Jobs Salary UK: Sector-Specific Analysis

Cyber security jobs salary in the UK varies significantly by industry sector:

– Financial Services: Consistently offers 20-30% premiums, particularly in London and Edinburgh Technology Companies: Competitive base salaries plus equity participation opportunities
Government/- – Public Sector: Structured salary bands with comprehensive benefits packages Healthcare: Growing demand driving salary increases, particularly for compliance specialists Manufacturing: Operational technology (OT) security roles commanding premium rates

IT Security Salary in the UK Across Major Cities

IT security salary in the UK follows distinct patterns across major urban centres:
Edinburgh: Scotland’s financial services centre offers competitive packages, often matching London rates for senior positions while providing superior quality of life.

• Birmingham: England’s second city shows strong growth in cybersecurity compensation, particularly for manufacturing and professional services organisations.
• Bristol: Technology corridor development drives above-average compensation, especially for cloud security and DevSecOps roles.
• Leeds: Growing financial services presence creates competitive cybersecurity salary environment.
• Cambridge: Proximity to technology companies and research institutions supports premium compensation levels.

Highest Paying Cybersecurity Jobs in the UK by City: Premium Opportunities

Highest paying cybersecurity jobs in the UK by city typically cluster around financial centres and technology hubs:

London

– CISO roles: £150,000-£250,000+

– Security Architecture Directors: £130,000-£200,000

– Cyber Security Consulting Partners: £120,000-£180,000+

Edinburgh

– Financial Services CISO: £130,000-£180,000
– Compliance Directors: £110,000-£150,000
– Risk Management Heads: £100,000-£140,000

Manchester

– Technology Company Security Leaders: £100,000-£140,000
– SOC Managers: £70,000-£95,000
– Senior Security Architects: £85,000-£120,000
– Remote Work Impact on Regional Salary Variations

The shift toward remote and hybrid working has begun flattening some regional salary differences:
Location-Independent Compensation: Many organisations now offer consistent UK-wide salaries for remote-capable roles.

Hybrid Premiums: Positions requiring occasional London presence but allowing remote work often split the difference between London and regional rates.

Talent Pool Expansion: Remote work enables access to national talent pools, potentially moderating extreme regional premiums.

Cost of Living Considerations

The cost of living significantly impacts the net value of a cybersecurity specialist salary in the UK.

Housing Costs: London housing costs often consume 40-50% of salary, compared to 20-30% in Northern cities.

Transport Expenses: London transport costs (£3,000-£5,000 annually) versus minimal transport costs in smaller cities.

General Living: Food, entertainment, and services typically cost 20-30% more in London compared to regional centres.

Future Trends: Cybersecurity Specialist Salary UK Projections

Several factors will influence future cybersecurity specialist salary UK trends:

Skills Shortage Persistence: The talent shortage is likely to maintain upward salary pressure across all regions.

Remote Work Evolution: Greater acceptance of remote work may moderate London premiums while elevating regional compensation.

Regulatory Changes: Enhanced privacy and security regulations will keep driving demand for compliance specialists across all regions.

Technology Transformation: Emerging technologies (AI security, quantum cryptography) will create premium specialisation opportunities.

Where Is Best For You?

If you’re a cybersecurity professional:

London: Highest absolute salaries, extensive networking opportunities, diverse industry exposure 
Outside London: Better quality of life, lower costs, potentially superior work-life balance 
Remote: Access to London salaries while maintaining regional living costs

For employers:

– London: Accept premium costs for access to largest talent pool and highest expertise levels 
Outside

– London: Competitive value proposition combining good salaries with lifestyle benefits

– Hybrid: Combine remote work with periodic London presence for optimal cost-effectiveness

Planning your cybersecurity career geography or building a distributed security team?

SECURE Recruitment’s expert cyber security recruitment services provide strategic insights across all major UK markets. Our executive search specialists understand regional dynamics and can optimise your location strategy for both career growth and operational effectiveness.

Download our comprehensive UK Cybersecurity Salary Guide for more in-depth analysis to help you make the smartest possible decision.