Security Operations Engineer Salary in United Kingdom during 2024

Salary details

The average Security Operations Engineer salary lies between USD 56,250 and USD 75,000 in the United Kingdom. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 24, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Security Operations Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Security Operations Engineer job listings are Cloud, Incident response and SIEM. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Cloud | 195 jobs Incident response | 175 jobs SIEM | 167 jobs Monitoring | 146 jobs AWS | 110 jobs Automation | 104 jobs Computer Science | 104 jobs Python | 98 jobs Compliance | 97 jobs Vulnerabilities | 92 jobs SOC | 87 jobs CISSP | 83 jobs Vulnerability management | 81 jobs Scripting | 81 jobs Azure | 79 jobs NIST | 68 jobs EDR | 68 jobs Firewalls | 65 jobs Linux | 65 jobs Strategy | 63 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Security Operations Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Security Operations Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Team events. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 145 jobs Health care | 132 jobs Team events | 121 jobs Competitive pay | 80 jobs Flex hours | 74 jobs Startup environment | 67 jobs Medical leave | 63 jobs Equity / stock options | 59 jobs Salary bonus | 55 jobs Flex vacation | 48 jobs Insurance | 41 jobs Parental leave | 39 jobs Wellness | 28 jobs 401(k) matching | 27 jobs Home office stipend | 19 jobs Gear | 15 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 12 jobs Fertility benefits | 11 jobs Fitness / gym | 9 jobs Transparency | 8 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United Kingdom, the salary composition for a Security Operations Engineer can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary is composed of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. This base salary can range from 60% to 80% of the total compensation. In addition to the base salary, many companies offer performance-based bonuses, which can account for 10% to 20% of the total salary. These bonuses are often tied to individual performance metrics or company-wide goals. Additional remuneration may include stock options, especially in larger tech companies or startups, and benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and professional development allowances. In regions like London, where the cost of living is higher, salaries tend to be on the upper end of the spectrum, while smaller companies might offer more competitive bonuses or stock options to attract talent.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from the position of a Security Operations Engineer, consider the following steps:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your technical skills and stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity trends and technologies. Specializing in high-demand areas such as cloud security, threat intelligence, or incident response can make you more valuable.

• Certifications: Obtaining advanced certifications can significantly boost your earning potential. Certifications like CISSP, CISM, or CEH are highly regarded in the industry.

• Networking: Engage with professional networks and communities. Attending conferences, webinars, and meetups can open up new opportunities and provide insights into industry standards.

• Leadership Roles: Aim for leadership or managerial roles within your team. Demonstrating leadership skills and taking on additional responsibilities can position you for promotions and salary increases.

• Industry Transition: Consider transitioning to industries that offer higher pay scales for cybersecurity professionals, such as finance, healthcare, or government sectors.

Educational Requirements

For a Security Operations Engineer role, most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cybersecurity. Some positions may accept equivalent work experience in lieu of formal education. Advanced degrees, such as a master's in Cybersecurity or Information Assurance, can be advantageous and may be preferred by some employers, especially for senior roles.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications play a crucial role in the cybersecurity field, and several are particularly beneficial for a Security Operations Engineer:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Recognized globally, this certification demonstrates a deep understanding of cybersecurity practices and principles.

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Focuses on the skills needed to understand and counteract hacking techniques.

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): Ideal for those looking to move into management roles, focusing on managing and governing information security.

• CompTIA Security+: A good entry-level certification that covers foundational security concepts.

• GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC): Validates a practitioner's knowledge of information security beyond simple terminology and concepts.

Experience Requirements

Typically, a Security Operations Engineer is expected to have 3 to 5 years of experience in a related field. This experience should include hands-on work with security technologies, incident response, and threat analysis. Experience in network administration, system administration, or a similar technical role can also be beneficial. Employers often look for candidates who have demonstrated the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and have experience with security information and event management (SIEM) tools.

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