IT & Cybersecurity UK Job Market Report: Trends, Insights, and Statistics [May 2026]
Based on May 2026 data taken from Adzuna, one of the UK's largest job search engines, as well as the UK government's latest sectoral analysis, we've identified the clear trends and figures that define the state of the booming cyber and IT security sector job market today. This report was last updated on 14 May 2026.
What's on this page?
Jump to:
- Cyber and IT security salary trends
- Trends in demand for cyber and IT professionals
- Industries hiring cyber and IT security professionals in 2026
- Common benefits offers for cyber and IT roles
- Trends in remote and hybrid working for cyber and IT roles
- Demand by location for cyber and IT roles
- Where does this data come from and what does it mean?
- Is a cyber or IT career for you?
IT and cyber salaries are 27.3% above the national average, and rising
As the total annual revenue of the cybersecurity sector hit £14.7 billion in the last financial year, salaries for UK cybersecurity professionals are following the same growth trajectory:
- The mean UK salary for cyber and IT security roles from 1st January 2026 to 30th April 2026 was £55,065, which is 27.3% above the national mean salary.
- The mean salary has continued to increase since the end of January, hitting as high as £64,736 towards the end of March.
- The median entry-level salary for IT security and cyber roles can range from £33,500. Senior roles can reach as high as £227,500.
Demand for IT and cybersecurity is high compared to all other occupations in the UK
With 2,603 firms currently providing cybersecurity products and services in the UK (an increase of over 20% from 2025), it's unsurprising that there is so much demand for cybersecurity professionals:
- 3,339 unique job postings for IT and cybersecurity roles were posted in the UK between 1st January 2026 and 30th April 2026, which Adzuna rates as 'HIGH' compared to the average for all occupations in this location.
- 4,207 new job postings appeared over this time, which, again, Adzuna rates as showing 'HIGH' demand
- After a slight slow-down going into February, we are seeing an expected increase in line with the start of the economic year in April.
Information and communication, and finance industries are among the top hiring IT and cybersecurity professionals
- The demand for cyber and IT security professionals continues to increase across diverse sectors in 2026. As the number of cyber attacks affecting all types of businesses rises, organisations are feeling the critical importance of having security professionals within their workforce.
- As technology evolves and the need for effective and certified security professionals expands, cyber and IT security plays a pivotal role in protecting systems and data, and identifying and responding to threats across various growing fields.
This data is from 1st January 2026 to 30th April 2026.
Top benefits for IT and cybersecurity roles include flexible working and life insurance
- This work benefits data is calculated from 2,669 (63.4%) of the overall unique job postings from January 2026 to April 2026 - these 2,669 postings contained salary and benefits data.
- 2,403 (57.1%) unique postings offered at least one benefit.
38.2% of IT & cybersecurity roles offer hybrid or completely remote working
- 38.2% of cyber and IT security job roles were listed on Adzuna as remote (6.8%) OR flexible (31.4%) roles
- 61.8% required on-site work
- 6.8% were fully remote
The South East sees most demand for IT cyber and security roles
- London leads data job demand with cyber and IT security job openings on Adzuna, reflecting its status as a major business hub. According to the UK government's latest sectoral analysis, 33% of the nation's cybersecurity offices are based in Greater London.
- The South East follows with 13% of cybersecurity employment based in this region, and the North West thereafter with 10%.
- Despite only 2% of UK-based cybersecurity employment being in the North East, the mean advertised salaries in core cyber roles for this region is still far higher than the national average at £55,200.
Where does this data come from and what does it mean?
To create this report, we've partnered with Adzuna, one of the UK's biggest job search engine platforms and an extremely comprehensive source of job market data. We have also included additional insight's from the UK government's latest cybersecurity sectoral analysis.
Based on millions of job postings, the Adzuna Intelligence database gives us a better understanding of job or specific role demand in the cyber and IT security sector.
It also helps us identify trends related to salary, geographic location within the UK, the kinds of benefits that are being offered to cyber and IT security professionals, and much more.
These insights into the cybersecurity job market provide an overview of 1st January 2026 to 30th April 2026.
The purpose of this? To give you insight into the job market that can guide your career choices as well as your decisions about training and development within the cybersecurity sector, ensuring better alignment with market demands.
The following cyber and IT security job titles were included when collecting the data for this report:
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