Security / Penetration Tester salary in London, United Kingdom
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in London earns a median of £99k a year gross ($130k), from £81k at p10 to £120k at p90. London pays 1.18× the United Kingdom median and 28% below the US median of $180k. About 9 million people live in London.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in London
Gross annual pay in GBP. Junior £77k, lead £150k. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | £63k | £77k | £94k | $97k | |
| Mid-level | £81k | £99k | £120k | $130k | |
| Senior | £100k | £130k | £150k | $160k | |
| Lead | £130k | £150k | £190k | $190k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United Kingdom median (£84k) times a 1.18 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in London
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Cambridge | 0.93× | £64k | £78k | £95k |
Other QA salaries in London
1 Security / Penetration Tester jobs in London · QA hiring in London · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester
Security / Penetration Tester salary in London: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in London?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in London is £99k a year ($130k). The p10 is £81k and the p90 is £120k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to London with a city factor of 1.18.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester make in London?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in London earns a median of £130k ($160k), with a range of £100k to £150k. Leads reach £150k and juniors start near £77k.
What is an entry-level Security / Penetration Tester salary in London?
A junior Security / Penetration Tester in London earns about £77k a year ($97k), between £63k and £94k. Pay rises to £99k at mid-level.
Is London a good-paying city for Security / Penetration Testers in United Kingdom?
London ranks 1st of 20 tracked United Kingdom cities for this role, at 1.18x the national median of £84k. It is the best-paid city we track in the country.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in London?
Roughly 69-75% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner: about £68k to £74k a year, or £5,900 a month. This is not tax advice.
What is the hourly rate for a Security / Penetration Tester in London?
A £99k gross salary equals about £48 an hour on a 40-hour week (£8,200 a month gross). Contractors typically quote 20-35% above this to cover leave and benefits.
All figures are gross estimates, not offers or advice.