Surging demand for Web3 cybersecurity experts is sending salaries higher at the expense of Web2 specialists with pay in the European Union and Germany in particular beating the UK, new research from post-quantum security company Naoris Protocol has found.
Its analysis shows in the UK Web3 cybersecurity and blockchain roles offer average salaries of AUD144,000 rising to AUD185,250 for top positions. That beats the pay range of AUD103,000 to AUD144,000 for mid-level positions such as cyber security analysts in the UK.
Pay in the UK lags pay in the European Union and Germany, in particular where senior blockchain developers earn between AUD207,000 and AUD310,000.
But the biggest pay gap is between the UK public sector and private sector – senior roles can pay as much as AUD247,000 in the private sector.
By comparison, a cyber security adviser role at the UK’s Ministry of Defence pays around GBP75,200, while Treasury advertised for a head of cyber security with a salary up to AUD118,300.
“This growing pay disparity is not just about money; it’s a battle for talent, with the public sector and traditional tech roles losing ground to high-paying blockchain firms and private companies,” said Naoris Protocol CEO David Carvalho. “This talent drain could expose critical infrastructure to severe cyber risk.”
“The pay gap is partly explained by the scarcity of and demand for experts in blockchain technologies as well as the fast growth of decentralised finance and applications,” he added “However the pay gap poses a real risk to national security, as government agencies struggle to attract and retain skilled cybersecurity professionals.”
Naoris Protocol believes the public sector and Web2 companies need to reassess their compensation structures, invest in upskilling programs, and create pathways that make these roles more attractive.
