Introduction
The cybersecurity roles within the UK public sector are characterized by relatively low salaries compared to other industries, which poses challenges in attracting talent from the private sector. This issue is highlighted by recent studies and job listings, underscoring the need for competitive compensation to secure skilled professionals.
Description
UK public sector cybersecurity roles offer an average salary of £44,739 ($60,070) per annum [1] [2] [3], as indicated by a study analyzing 768 job listings [1] [2]. These positions within government and public administration rank among the lowest paid in the cybersecurity field [1] [2] [3], with only non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) reporting lower average salaries at £40,750 ($54,717) [1] [2] [3]. Recent job listings [1] [2], such as a head of cybersecurity position at HM Treasury [1] [2], have drawn criticism for offering salaries ranging from £50,550 to £57,500 ($67,877–$77,209) [1] [2].
In March 2025 [2] [3], Cat Little [3], the civil service’s COO [2] [3], highlighted the urgent need for substantial salary increases for government cybersecurity specialists to attract talent from the private sector [2] [3]. In contrast [2] [3], industries such as insurance [3], legal [2] [3], and finance report significantly higher average salaries [2] [3], with figures of £79,167 ($106,301), £75,000 ($100,706) [2], and £74,998 ($100,703) respectively [2]. Notably, 100% of government and public administration roles disclosed their salaries [2], unlike several other sectors that provided limited salary transparency [2].
Conclusion
The disparity in salaries between the public sector and other industries presents a significant challenge in recruiting and retaining cybersecurity talent within government roles. To mitigate this issue, it is crucial for the public sector to consider revising its compensation structures to remain competitive. Future implications include the potential for a talent drain to the private sector if these disparities are not addressed, which could impact the effectiveness of public sector cybersecurity measures.
References
[1] https://osintcorp.net/uk-gov-cybersecurity-jobs-average-salary-is-under-45000-study-finds/
[2] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/uk-cybersecurity-jobs-average/
[3] https://trustcrypt.com/uk-government-cybersecurity-positions-yield-average-salaries-below-45-000-research-indicates/
