Cyber security professionals vs IT network professionals: Salary Compared
A Cyber security professionals earns more — a median £54,647 vs £48,907 for a IT network professionals. That is £5,740 more per year (12%). Real ONS ASHE figures, April 2025.
Quick answer
In the UK, a Cyber security professionals is paid more than a IT network professionals: median gross pay of £54,647 versus £48,907 — a £5,740 (12%) gap. Source: ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
Pay compared, side by side
Gross annual pay for full-time UK employees, ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
| Measure | Cyber security professionals | IT network professionals |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £32,471 | £36,407 |
| 25th percentile | £42,761 | £40,104 |
| Median | £54,647 | £48,907 |
| 75th percentile | £71,808 | £66,230 |
| 90th percentile | — | — |
SOC 2020 codes: Cyber security professionals = 2135; IT network professionals = 2137.
Regional pay gap
The pay gap is widest in Scotland, where a Cyber security professionals earns a median £51,355 versus £39,029 for a IT network professionals — a £12,326 difference. Regional medians are published by ONS where the sample is large enough.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a Cyber security professionals or a IT network professionals earn more in the UK?
- A Cyber security professionals earns more. The median UK gross annual pay is £54,647 for a Cyber security professionals versus £48,907 for a IT network professionals — a difference of £5,740 (12% more). Source: ONS ASHE, April 2025.
- What is the typical salary range for a Cyber security professionals?
- Most Cyber security professionals earn between £42,761–£71,808 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £54,647. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- What is the typical salary range for a IT network professionals?
- Most IT network professionals earn between £40,104–£66,230 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £48,907. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- Where do these pay figures come from?
- From the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3) — gross annual pay for full-time employees by 4-digit SOC 2020 occupation, published under the Open Government Licence. These are medians, not guarantees: individual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Related comparisons
Data: Office for National Statistics — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3. Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are medians for full-time employees and do not guarantee individual pay. A Gera Systems product.