Security / Penetration Tester salary in Cardiff, United Kingdom
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Cardiff earns a median of £76k a year gross ($96k), from £62k at p10 to £92k at p90. Cardiff pays 0.90× the United Kingdom median and 47% below the US median of $180k. About 372,000 people live in Cardiff.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in Cardiff
Gross annual pay in GBP. Junior £59k, lead £120k. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | £48k | £59k | £71k | $74k | |
| Mid-level | £62k | £76k | £92k | $96k | |
| Senior | £79k | £97k | £120k | $120k | |
| Lead | £96k | £120k | £140k | $150k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United Kingdom median (£84k) times a 0.90 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in Cardiff
Employers in United Kingdom usually quote annual salary for permanent roles, day rates for contract roles.
A generic estimate for a single mid-level earner, not tax advice.
Security / Penetration Tester pay in other United Kingdom cities
| City | Pay factor | p10 | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 1.18× | £81k | £99k | £120k |
| Edinburgh | 1.00× | £69k | £84k | £100k |
| Birmingham | 0.97× | £67k | £82k | £99k |
| Manchester | 0.96× | £66k | £81k | £98k |
| Belfast | 0.95× | £65k | £80k | £97k |
| Glasgow | 0.95× | £65k | £80k | £97k |
| Leeds | 0.94× | £65k | £79k | £96k |
| Bristol | 0.93× | £64k | £78k | £95k |
Other QA salaries in Cardiff
4 Security / Penetration Tester jobs in United Kingdom · QA hiring in Cardiff · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester
Security / Penetration Tester salary in Cardiff: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in Cardiff?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Cardiff is £76k a year ($96k). The p10 is £62k and the p90 is £92k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to Cardiff with a city factor of 0.90.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester make in Cardiff?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in Cardiff earns a median of £97k ($120k), with a range of £79k to £120k. Leads reach £120k and juniors start near £59k.
What is an entry-level Security / Penetration Tester salary in Cardiff?
A junior Security / Penetration Tester in Cardiff earns about £59k a year ($74k), between £48k and £71k. Pay rises to £76k at mid-level.
Is Cardiff a good-paying city for Security / Penetration Testers in United Kingdom?
Cardiff ranks 10th of 20 tracked United Kingdom cities for this role, at 0.90x the national median of £84k. It pays close to or below the national median.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in Cardiff?
Roughly 69-75% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner: about £52k to £57k a year, or £4,500 a month. This is not tax advice.
What is the hourly rate for a Security / Penetration Tester in Cardiff?
A £76k gross salary equals about £37 an hour on a 40-hour week (£6,300 a month gross). Contractors typically quote 20-35% above this to cover leave and benefits.
All figures are gross estimates, not offers or advice.