When someone is going to pursue a profession, they like to know the actual salary data they can expect throughout their life. While salary may not be the primary reason for choosing a profession, it remains an important factor to consider.
We are focusing on cybersecurity salaries in Spain, but even if you’re not based in this beautiful and sunny country, you can still gain valuable insights into how salaries vary across different job categories. Since Spain is part of the European Union, this post can also highlight the differences between cybersecurity salaries and those in non-cybersecurity industries within the EU.
Talking about salaries or anything related to money remains a taboo topic in Spain. Our British friends handle this matter much better, as in one way or another, in Spain there is the belief that we are infringing on privacy or something similar.
That’s why in this blog post, we will reveal the salaries related to cybersecurity in Spain. By the end of this post, you will have a realistic idea of your financial expectations once you immerse yourself, or even if you are already immersed, in this exciting world of technology.
Current Landscape in the Cybersecurity Industry
Growing Demand:
The frequency of cyberattacks has been increased significantly in recent years. This cyberattack growth intensified notably during the pandemic, reaching its peak in 2021, but remains at very high levels today. Let’s look at an example of the number of ransomware attacks received worldwide in recent years to get a realistic idea of how cyberattacks have increased:
Security
What can we conclude from these cyberattack results? All companies and institutions must protect themselves and invest in cybersecurity to counter the rising threats of cybercrime. This, in turn, drives the growth of the cybersecurity industry, encouraging the creation of new specialized companies and increasing the hiring of professionals in this field.
Investment
What problem arises from such growth in cybercrime? The surge in cyberattacks has led to many unfilled job vacancies in cybersecurity and technology due to a shortage of qualified professionals to meet the increasing demand.
The result? Higher salaries with better benefits for employees.
Don’t believe it? Let’s turn to the stock market data, which doesn’t lie. Let’s examine the performance of one of the leading cybersecurity companies today, Palo Alto Networks, with the ticker symbol PANW.:
As you can see, the cybersecurity company’s investment has been steady and has grown exponentially from 2020 to the present. The stock price is now at $340 USD, compared to the $50 price in 2020. Its market capitalization now reaches $110 billion. You can verify that other leading companies in the industry, like CrowdStrike (CRWD), have also experienced spectacular investment growth in recent years.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Spain
Here is a collection of real cybersecurity salaries obtained from Hackplayers website, where participants shared details such as their education, salaries, bonuses, and years of experience.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Spain Based on Experience
Salary of a Junior Cybersecurity Specialist
Attractive salary from the beginning: With only 1 year of experience, earning a salary of over €30,000 annually is entirely achievable. The salary of a junior cybersecurity professional in Spain can vary greatly based on the company and location..
Salary of Mid-Senior and Senior Cybersecurity Specialist
The more experience you have, the higher the salary: Average compensation increases significantly with years of experience. In other words, we are rewarded as we gain more experience over the years. Salaries range from €44,000 to €74,000 annually for Mid-Senior and Senior profiles. However, we should not set a salary ceiling, as companies will reward us based on the role’s responsibility and our longevity. These figures are definitely very attractive compared to other industries.
Cybersecurity Salaries Based on Role
Significant Salary Differences by Role: Job positions, especially Manager roles, are often closely tied to years of experience. There’s a notable difference in salaries between Level 1 to Level 3 positions, with Level 3 being the highest paid. Specialized technical roles such as Threat Hunter, PenTester, and Auditors also tend to have higher cybersecurity salaries.
Work Model
Do you like remote work? If so, you’re in luck! 87% of participants work remotely, either in a flexible model or 100% remote. Only 17% work in the office.
The flexibility of remote work contributes to a better quality of life for employees, allowing them to balance their personal and professional lives more effectively, reduce commuting times, and work in more comfortable environments.
Total Cybersecurity Salaries vs. Years of Experience
Years of Experience vs Experience: As expected, the more years of experience we have, the higher our salaries will be. However, even with little experience in cybersecurity, you can already earn significantly higher salaries compared to other business areas in Spain.
Cybersecurity Salaries based on Certifications
Do certifications provide added value? Absolutely! While not mandatory, they offer significant economic benefits.
CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional): With an average compensation of €45,000, this certification is important given the growing demand for cloud security. However, it offers a lower salary compared to other advanced certifications.
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) y OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional): Focused on ethical hacking and offensive security, they offer compensations ranging from €49,000 to €52,000 respectively.
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) y CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional): These are among the most valued and best-paid certifications, reflecting the high demand for management and auditing roles in cybersecurity. In other words, greater responsibility leads to higher salaries.
Demand Based on Location
Madrid as the Main Hub of Demand: Madrid and Catalonia have by far the highest demand. However, if you do not reside in either of these regions, you still have a good chance of finding a 100% remote work position.
Cybersecurity Salaries Based on Work Model
Do you think that working remotely will lead to a lower compensation? You are mistaken! Possible reasons for this are:
- Global competition: Companies might be competing for talent on a global scale and therefore offering higher salaries in cybersecurity to attract the best professionals, regardless of their location.
- Savings on infrastructure: Companies can save significant costs on infrastructure and office spaces, allowing them to offer higher salaries in cybersecurity to remote workers in Spain.
- Flexibility and appeal of remote work: Remote work is an attractive option for many professionals, and companies may use higher salaries as an incentive to attract and retain talent.
Cybersecurity Salaries Based on Education
Does having a university degree impact salary? Generally speaking, having a higher level of university education is often associated with higher salaries. However, this doesn’t seem to hold true in this case. This suggests that the shortage of labor in cybersecurity provides opportunities for all types of workers, including those trained in cybersecurity without necessarily having a university degree, which may not be as decisive as in other business areas.
Competitive Cybersecurity Salaries in Spain: Your Path to Professional Success
The field of cybersecurity in Spain offers a multitude of job opportunities with very competitive salaries that increase with experience and specialization. It is important to note that, in the early stages, salaries in cybersecurity are considerably higher than in other professions. Education and certifications are key factors for maximizing salary potential. Remote work is a growing and valued trend, with significant demand concentrated in key regions such as Madrid, Catalonia, and Andalusia.
Are you ready to dive into the cybersecurity industry? Whether you choose cybersecurity as your career or not, at blueDataSec we offer advanced solutions to protect your data from cyberattacks.