Cyber security jobs salary: Australian pay floors and market benchmarks

What the "cyber security jobs salary" figure actually means

When you search for "cyber security jobs salary" in Australia, you will find a range of numbers. Some come from job advertisements, others from government surveys, and still others from industry reports. But the most important figure to understand is the legal minimum that applies to you. This guide separates the legal floor from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries, so you can compare any offer or role with confidence.

The legal minimum for cyber security workers

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This applies to national-system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Most private-sector cyber security roles fall into this category unless a specific award applies.

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of this rate. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. So if your base salary is the national minimum, your employer must also contribute super to a complying fund.

If you are covered by a modern award, the award rate will be higher than the national minimum. For example, the Professional Employees Award 2020 sets minimum rates for employees who perform professional duties, including some ICT roles. The exact rate depends on your classification level. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these obligations, but does not set the rates.

Survey averages: what the ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia report

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, through the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2023), provides median earnings for occupations. Jobs and Skills Australia publishes these figures for Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists (ANZSCO 2621). Within that group, ICT Security Specialists (262112) have a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,284 and a median hourly rate of $59. These are before tax and before salary sacrifice, and they exclude managers and part-time employees to give a more accurate picture of typical full-time roles.

This median is a market benchmark, not a legal minimum. It tells you what half of full-time ICT Security Specialists earn less than, and half earn more than. The same data shows that 94% of workers in this occupation work full-time, with average hours of 41 per week. The median age is 42, and only 24% are women.

Award rates vs negotiated salaries

It is a common mistake to assume that the Security Services Industry Award 2020 covers cyber security professionals. That award applies to security officers, guards, and related roles in the security services industry. Its minimum rates range from $28.42 per hour (Level 1) to $31.20 per hour (Level 5) for full-time employees. These rates are higher than the national minimum but are not relevant for ICT security specialists.

If your role is professional in nature—for example, you design security architecture, conduct penetration testing, or manage security policies—you may be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 if your employer is in an industry covered by that award. The award has classification levels that match qualifications and experience. However, many cyber security employees are award-free and negotiate their salary directly. In that case, the national minimum is the only legal floor, but market rates are far higher.

Which pay floor applies to you?

To find out which minimum wage applies, start by checking whether a modern award covers your job and your employer. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's tools or read our guide Which minimum wage applies. If you are award-free, the national minimum applies. If you are covered by an award, the award rate is the minimum. An enterprise agreement can set a higher rate. Remember that junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less than the adult rate.

For a full list of current minimum rates, see our Rate tables. These tables include the national minimum, award rates where available, and the casual loading of 25%.

Superannuation is on top

Whenever you see a salary figure, ask whether it includes super. The super guarantee is a separate employer contribution of 12% (from 1 July 2026) on top of ordinary time earnings. A salary package of $100,000 plus super means the employer pays an additional $12,000 into your super fund. The national minimum wage figures quoted here do not include super; the employer must pay super in addition.

The bottom line

A "cyber security jobs salary" can range from the national minimum of $26.44 per hour to well over $100 per hour for senior contractors. The median full-time salary of $2,284 per week is a useful guide, but your actual pay depends on your award coverage, experience, and negotiation. Always confirm the legal minimum that applies to you before accepting any offer.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.