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Cyber security jobs salary: how awards compare to the national minimum wage
Find out how cyber security jobs salary stacks up against the national minimum wage and modern awards, with data from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Bureau of Statistic
The median cyber security specialist earns $127,972 per year, which is about 118 on the Salary Index, well above the national minimum wage and typical award rates.
What does 'cyber security jobs salary' mean?
When people search for 'cyber security jobs salary', they usually want to know what a typical cyber security specialist earns in Australia and how that compares to minimum pay standards. This article explains the pay landscape using the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Fair Work Ombudsman, with a focus on how awards and the national minimum wage relate to these roles.
The national minimum wage and award context
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year. That’s an index of 48.2 on the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year. Modern awards set higher minimum rates for specific industries and occupations. For example, the Security Services Industry Award has minimum rates for security officers, but cyber security specialists are usually classified differently.
Award minima rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. But for many cyber security roles, awards are not the main driver of pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that qualified IT employees—including cyber security specialists—may be covered by the Professional Employees Award if they work in the IT or telecommunications industry. If they work elsewhere, they might be covered by another industry award or be award-free. Unqualified IT employees may fall under the Miscellaneous Award. In practice, many cyber security jobs are award-free, meaning the employer only has to pay the national minimum wage, but market rates are much higher.
What the data says about cyber security jobs salary
According to Jobs and Skills Australia (using ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025), the median cyber security specialist earns $127,972 per year. That’s $2,461 per week or about $66 per hour. This figure is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Around 72,600 cyber security specialists work in Australia, with employment growing by about 3,300 per year.
On the Salary Index, $127,972 divided by the national line of $108,352 gives an index of about 118. That means the typical cyber security specialist earns 18% above the average full-time worker. To put it another way, they earn 2.45 times the national minimum wage.
Awards versus market rates
Even if a cyber security specialist is covered by an award, the award minimum is likely far below the market rate. For example, the Professional Employees Award has classification levels for IT professionals, but the highest rates are still well under $100,000. Most employers pay above award to attract talent. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides list minimum rates, but they are a floor, not a target.
Consider a cyber security analyst in Sydney. The state index for NSW is 101.2 (annualised $109,658), slightly above the national line. A specialist earning the median $127,972 would be well above that. In Tasmania, where the state index is 88.6 ($96,008), the same salary would be even more exceptional. Location matters, but cyber security skills are in demand everywhere.
How super and tax affect take-home pay
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. On a $127,972 salary, that’s $15,356.64 in super contributions. For income tax in 2026–27 (excluding Medicare), the brackets are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A resident with no HELP debt would take home roughly $92,000 after tax and Medicare.
Regional and industry comparisons
The industries page shows that Professional, scientific and technical services (where many cyber security specialists work) has an index of 114.7, close to the cyber security median. Mining leads at 154.7, while Retail trade is 75.9. Cyber security roles in mining or finance may pay even more than the median.
State indexes also vary: Western Australia has an index of 106.9 ($115,825 annualised), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A cyber security job in Perth might offer a premium, but the national median already exceeds all state averages except the ACT (109.9, $119,090).
The bottom line
Cyber security jobs salary is well above the national minimum wage and typical award rates. The median of $127,972 places it comfortably above the national line. Awards may set a legal minimum, but for most cyber security specialists, market demand sets the real pay. If you’re negotiating a salary, use the how the index works page to see where your offer sits against the national benchmark. And remember, super and tax will affect your final take-home amount.
For more on pay standards, see the topics page. If you’re covered by an award, check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides for your minimum entitlements.
Questions people ask
Are cyber security jobs covered by a modern award?
It depends. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, qualified IT employees (including cyber security specialists) are covered by the Professional Employees Award if they work for an employer in the IT industry or telecommunications services industry and perform professional duties. If they work outside those industries, they may be covered by another industry award (e.g., Educational Services) or be award-free. Unqualified IT employees may fall under the Miscellaneous Award. Many cyber security specialists are award-free and paid above the national minimum wage.
How does the median cyber security salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The median cyber security specialist earns $127,972 per year, which is about 2.45 times the national minimum wage annualised figure of $52,255 (from 1 July 2026). On the Salary Index (where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352), the median cyber security salary sits at approximately 118. That means the typical cyber security specialist earns 18% above the national average for full-time workers.
What super and tax apply to a cyber security salary?
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $127,972 salary, that’s an extra $15,356.64 in super. For income tax in 2026–27 (excluding Medicare), the first $18,200 is tax-free, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A resident with no HELP debt would take home roughly $92,000 after tax and Medicare.