Does cyber security pay well in Australia?

Yes, cybersecurity professionals in Australia generally receive competitive salaries. The exact salary can vary based on factors such as the level of experience, qualifications, specialization, industry, and location. However, cybersecurity is known to be a high-demand field with a shortage of skilled professionals, which often leads to attractive remuneration packages.

The average cyber security salary in Australia is $125,427 per year or $64.32 per hour based on 991 salaries. Entry-level positions start at $104,416 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $166,923 per year.

Here are some approximate salary ranges for different cybersecurity roles in Australia:

  1. Cybersecurity Analyst/Consultant: According to PayScale, the average annual cybersecurity salary is $140,630. With extensive experience and certifications, penetration testers can command higher salaries.
  2. Security Engineer: The average security engineer salary in Australia is $130,031 per year or $66.68 per hour based on 287 salaries. Entry-level positions start at $112,642 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $171,750 per year.
  3. Incident Responder: Incident responders handle and investigate security incidents. According to Indeed the average salary for an Incident Manager is $113,656 per year.
  4. Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker: Penetration testers or ethical hackers, who identify vulnerabilities in systems, networks, or applications. According to PayScale, the average annual cybersecurity salary of a penetration tester is $125,630. With extensive experience and certifications, penetration testers can command higher salaries.
  5. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): CISOs, responsible for overseeing an organization’s security strategy, policies, and operations. According to PayScalel, the average annual cybersecurity salary of a CISO in $166,329

It’s important to note that these salary ranges are approximate and can vary based on various factors. Salaries may also differ in different regions or cities within Australia, with larger cities generally offering higher salaries.

The demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to continue growing as organizations prioritize digital security. Consequently, this trend may positively impact salary levels in the field.