Programmers and software development professionals vs Cyber security professionals: Salary Compared
A Programmers and software development professionals earns more — a median £56,914 vs £54,647 for a Cyber security professionals. That is £2,267 more per year (4%). Real ONS ASHE figures, April 2025.
Quick answer
In the UK, a Programmers and software development professionals is paid more than a Cyber security professionals: median gross pay of £56,914 versus £54,647 — a £2,267 (4%) 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 | Programmers and software development professionals | Cyber security professionals |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £32,835 | £32,471 |
| 25th percentile | £42,289 | £42,761 |
| Median | £56,914 | £54,647 |
| 75th percentile | £75,794 | £71,808 |
| 90th percentile | £102,860 | — |
SOC 2020 codes: Programmers and software development professionals = 2134; Cyber security professionals = 2135.
Regional pay gap
The pay gap is widest in London, where a Programmers and software development professionals earns a median £75,296 versus £59,590 for a Cyber security professionals — a £15,706 difference. Regional medians are published by ONS where the sample is large enough.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a Programmers and software development professionals or a Cyber security professionals earn more in the UK?
- A Programmers and software development professionals earns more. The median UK gross annual pay is £56,914 for a Programmers and software development professionals versus £54,647 for a Cyber security professionals — a difference of £2,267 (4% more). Source: ONS ASHE, April 2025.
- What is the typical salary range for a Programmers and software development professionals?
- Most Programmers and software development professionals earn between £42,289–£75,794 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £56,914. Top earners (90th percentile) reach £102,860.
- 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.
- 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.