The survey reveals that Britain’s infamous ‘north v south’ pay divide remains in stubborn evidence
Cybersecurity professionals may receive higher than the average national salary in the UK but some patterns remain persistent: you earn more by working in the right place.
The UK Cyber Security Salary Survey 2022 anonymously polled 1,200 cybersecurity executives throughout November and December 2021.
The survey reveals that Britain’s infamous ‘north v south’ pay divide remains in stubborn evidence, despite a massive global shift to location-agnostic working since the onset of the pandemic.
Over half (52%) of cybersecurity experts work from home, according to the poll.
A London-based cybersecurity starter employee can expect to earn £53,375 on average, compared with a starting salary of £40,625 for a similar role in the north east of England.
With 20 years of experience, a London-based infosec leader can expect to earn £146,875 on average, compared with £115,000 a similar role in the north east of the country.
In the south east, a beginner infosec worker can expect to command a salary of £43,125 rising to £111,250 after 20 years. In Northern Ireland, the picture is rosier: a beginner infosec worker can expect £46,875 and £121,750 after 20 or more years.
In Scotland, entry-level salaries are higher at £48,750 but rise to £96,000 after 20 or more years.
And the research revealed that in Wales, starting cybersecurity employees can expect a salary of £38,000 and earn on average £125,875 after two decades.
Ken Morrice, founding managing partner at MM Search, predicts: “The demand for digital talent across the UK will level out any of the historical North/South divide. The gap will likely narrow as expertise and not location take precedence. London may always command a premium salary, but that premium will be felt across the UK.”
Download the full UK Cyber Security Salary Survey 2022, conducted by Cybershark Recruitment, in partnership with SC Media, here
The UK Cybersecurity Salary Survey 2022 polled 1,200 infosec leaders across England, Scotland and Wales from November–December 2021. The online survey was conducted anonymously.
