As we approach the new financial year and look toward 2026, the question on the minds of both hiring managers and ambitious professionals is the same: what is the real market rate for top tech and cybersecurity talent?
The post-pandemic “salary bubble” has stabilised. Blanket 20% increases across every role are no longer typical. Instead, the 2026 panorama is defined by precision and skills scarcity.
Based on current market trajectories, inflation data, and insights from conversations with UK technology employers, here is a forecast for permanent salaries across the UK tech and cybersecurity market for 2026.
Macro Trend: Stabilisation vs. Skills-Driven Growth
For 2026, baseline salary increases for generalist tech roles are estimated at roughly 3% to 5%, reflecting stabilised inflation.
However, for business-critical roles in cybersecurity, AI implementation, and cloud architecture, we expect stronger growth of 8% to 12%, driven by persistent talent shortages and the high strategic value of these roles.
Note: The figures below represent UK national averages. London weightings typically add 15–20%.
Cybersecurity: The Defensive Premium
Cybersecurity remains one of the most resilient sectors. As threats become increasingly automated and AI-driven, the premium for human expertise continues to rise.
Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst
• Junior (0–2 years): £35,000–£45,000
• Senior / Lead: £60,000–£80,000
Trend: Entry-level candidates with certifications such as CySA+ or equivalent are in high demand. Senior analysts are valued for mentoring and handling critical incidents independently.
Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker
• Junior: £40,000–£55,000
• Senior / Principal: £70,000–£100,000
Trend: Cloud security and API-focused testing skills will be particularly sought after.
GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) Manager
• Mid-level: £55,000–£75,000
• Senior / Head of GRC: £85,000–£120,000
Trend: With UK and EU regulations evolving, GRC is increasingly strategic, and salaries reflect this responsibility.
CISO (Chief Information Security Officer)
• Salary range: £110,000–£150,000 (plus bonus/equity)
Trend: The modern CISO combines business leadership with technical expertise. Top packages in 2026 reward those who translate cyber risk into business impact.
Core Tech & Software Engineering: The AI Shift
Demand for specialised engineering continues to grow even as generalist developer markets stabilise.
Software Engineer (Python/Java/Go)
• Junior: £35,000–£50,000
• Senior: £65,000–£95,000
Trend: Senior engineers capable of architecting complex systems remain highly valued. Mid-level coders are encouraged to upskill to stay competitive.
DevOps & Cloud Engineer
• Mid-level: £60,000–£85,000
• Senior / Architect: £95,000–£125,000
Trend: Platform engineering and building internal developer platforms are key priorities in 2026.
AI & Machine Learning Engineer
• Junior (PhD/Masters entry): £50,000–£70,000
• Senior / Lead: £100,000–£150,000
Trend: Companies are competing for engineers who can deploy production-grade AI and LLMs, not just experiment with prototypes.
Regional Considerations
London continues to lead in salary levels, though the gap is narrowing in tech hubs such as Manchester, Oxford, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Cambridge.
• London weighting: roughly +20% over the UK average
• Remote senior roles: increasingly competitive, with salaries approaching London rates as companies recruit nationally for top talent
The Value Exchange
For Employers: Securing top-tier cybersecurity or AI talent in 2026 requires competitive salaries, flexible working options, and clear career development. The cost of leaving a critical position vacant often exceeds the cost of a higher salary.
For Candidates: Salary is important, but 2026 will reward those who demonstrate commercial impact alongside technical expertise. Upskilling, certifications, and cross-domain experience will be key to commanding top offers.
Strategic Benchmarking: Generic online salary calculators are often outdated. Real insights come from ongoing market conversations and analysis of hiring trends.
About This Data
These salary ranges are provided for reference purposes only. They were prepared by our team as a general guide for the 2026 market, based on recruitment trends observed in 2025 and conversations with UK technology employers.
This is not an official document and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of actual salaries. Packages can vary depending on company, sector, region, experience, and bonus or equity structures. Use this guide as a general overview to inform planning and decision-making.