Cyber security analyst salary: minimum wage and median earnings in Australia 2026

Cyber security analyst salary: legal minimum vs market rate

When researching a cyber security analyst salary in Australia, it's important to distinguish between the legal minimum you must be paid and the typical market rate. This guide explains the pay floors that apply and how they compare with survey averages.

Legal minimum wage for cyber security analysts

Most employees in Australia are covered by a modern award. For cyber security analysts who hold a relevant degree and work in a professional capacity, the Professional Employees Award 2020 is likely to apply. This award sets minimum rates based on classification levels (e.g., Level 1 for graduates). Those minimum rates are higher than the national minimum wage. However, the exact award rates are not included in this guide; you should check the award or use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool for your specific classification.

If no award or registered agreement covers your employment, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. Note that junior employees, apprentices, trainees, and workers with disability may have lower minimum rates. For example, award-free juniors aged under 16 are entitled to $9.73 per hour (casual $12.16).

Employers must also pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is not included in the hourly or weekly minimum figures.

Survey average earnings for ICT Security Specialists

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), via Jobs and Skills Australia, reports median earnings for the occupation group Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists (ANZSCO 2621), which includes ICT Security Specialists (262112). The median full-time weekly earnings are $2,284 per week, and the median hourly rate is $59 per hour. These figures are before tax and do not include superannuation. They are based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023.

This median is a useful benchmark for a typical cyber security analyst salary, but actual pay varies by experience, industry, location, and employer. The median is not a legal minimum; it is a statistical average.

Award rates vs negotiated salaries

Award rates are the legal floor. Many employers pay above award to attract and retain talent. Negotiated salaries can be significantly higher than both the award minimum and the median, especially for senior roles or in high-demand sectors like financial services and public administration. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile shows that ICT Security Specialists commonly work in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Public Administration and Safety; and Financial and Insurance Services.

How superannuation affects total compensation

When comparing a cyber security analyst salary, remember that the super guarantee is an additional employer cost. The minimum super rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. If your base salary is $100,000, your employer pays an extra $12,000 into your super fund. This is not reflected in the hourly or weekly wage figures quoted above.

For more information on which pay floor applies to your situation, see our guide Which minimum wage applies and the Rate tables for current national minimum and junior rates.

Key takeaways

• The legal minimum for a cyber security analyst depends on the applicable award; if award-free, the national minimum of $26.44/h applies.
• The median market rate for ICT Security Specialists is $59/h or $2,284/week (ABS data).
• Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of base salary.
• Always check your award or agreement, as it may set a higher minimum.

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