This article presents an in-depth exploration of Cyber Security Engineer salary trends in Poland, segmented by experience levels, and Poland’s leading technology hubs. It also includes a comparative review of compensation packages in other developed nations, highlighting Poland’s growing importance in the global cybersecurity and IT security landscape.
Introduction: Cyber Security Engineer Salary in Poland
With the rising frequency and complexity of cyber threats, the demand for skilled IT Security Engineers has surged across industries. Poland has become a hotspot for companies seeking top-tier cybersecurity talent at competitive rates. The country’s robust tech ecosystem, availability of skilled engineers, and increasing investments in cloud infrastructure, compliance, and software security make it a strategic location for building and scaling security teams. Whether you’re a recruiter benchmarking salary data or a Security Engineer navigating your career path, understanding current compensation trends in Poland is essential for making well-informed decisions.
In This Guide, We’ll Cover:
- Average Salary Ranges by Experience: Gain a detailed breakdown of Security Engineer salaries in Poland, categorized by experience levels – from entry-level Junior Security Engineers to seasoned Senior and Lead-level professionals. Understand how compensation scales with technical depth and years of experience.
- Salary Variations by Security Domain Specialization: Learn how earnings differ based on specialization within security disciplines such as Cloud Security, Network Security, and DevSecOps.
- Regional Salary Variations: Explore how Security Engineer salaries differ across Poland’s top tech cities – Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, and Poznań based on regional demand.
- International Comparison: Discover how Security Engineer compensation in Poland compares to global markets, including the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. See where Poland stands in the global cybersecurity talent economy.
Whether you’re hiring Security Engineers, growing a cybersecurity team, or planning your own career in IT security, this article offers crucial salary data and industry insights tailored to the Polish and international job markets.
Security Engineer Salaries by Experience Level in Poland
Security Engineer salaries in Poland vary significantly depending on factors such as experience, specialization (e.g., cloud security, cybersecurity, information security), geographic region, and technical expertise. Entry-level Junior Security Engineers typically receive modest compensation as they build foundational knowledge, while experienced Senior and Lead Security Engineers command higher salaries due to their advanced skills and strategic responsibilities. In this section, we break down expected salary ranges across various career stages for Security Engineers in Poland.
Methodology
Our salary benchmarks at Itentio IT Recruitment are based on an extensive review of compensation data from leading Polish tech job platforms such as JustJoinIT, NoFluffJobs, Pracuj.pl, BulldogJobs, the:protocol, inhire.io, and Solid.jobs. We analyzed 394 publicly listed jobs with clearly defined salary ranges in the cybersecurity and IT security domains. This data was validated with real-world insights from interviews, candidate salary expectations, and confirmed offers extended during active recruitment processes. All figures represent gross salary for UoP (employment contracts) or net salary on B2B contract. When referring to the “max” salary, we highlight the average of upper-market ranges rather than extreme outliers.
A. Junior Security Engineer Salary in Poland (0-2 Years of Experience)
Junior Security Engineers typically begin their careers by assisting with basic IT security operations, monitoring systems for vulnerabilities, supporting compliance activities, and learning tools related to SIEM, firewalls, and cloud security platforms. They represent approximately 4% of the market and use this stage to gain hands-on experience in cyber threat detection, security protocols, and basic risk assessment techniques.
- Average Salary Range: 6,000 – 12,000 PLN/month
- Median Salary: 9,200 PLN/month
B. Mid (Regular) Security Engineer Salary in Poland (2-5 Years of Experience)
Mid-level Security Engineers assume greater responsibilities, including conducting penetration tests, designing and enforcing security policies, performing incident response, and managing cloud-based security solutions across AWS, Azure, or GCP. This group forms a substantial part of the workforce – around 37% – and plays a vital role in securing infrastructure, data, and digital assets in fast-paced enterprise environments.
- Average Salary Range: 16,000 – 22,000 PLN/month
- Median Salary: 18,800 PLN/month
C. Senior Security Engineer Salary in Poland (5+ Years of Experience)
Senior Security Engineers lead security architecture design, manage large-scale vulnerability assessments, implement zero trust models, and oversee security automation strategies. They often collaborate with cross-functional teams and executive leadership on regulatory compliance, threat mitigation, and AI-driven security operations. Representing the largest share of the job market at 48%, they are among the most sought-after professionals due to their technical depth and strategic impact.
- Average Salary Range: 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month
- Median Salary: 25,500 PLN/month
D. Lead Security Engineer Salary in Poland (5-7+ Years of Experience)
Lead Security Engineers are responsible for defining an organization’s security roadmap, leading internal security teams, coordinating across business units, and advising on enterprise-wide risk management. Often involved in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), they also mentor junior staff and drive organizational security maturity. Comprising around 11% of the talent pool, these professionals earn the highest salaries due to their leadership role, broad expertise, and influence on business continuity planning and cyber resilience.
- Average Salary Range: 29,000 – 40,000 PLN/month
- Median Salary: 35,200 PLN/month
Summary: Security Engineer Salary in Poland by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Average Salary Range (PLN) | Median Salary (PLN) |
|---|---|---|
| Junior (0-2 years) | 6,000 – 12,000 | 9,200 |
| Mid/Regular (2-5 years) | 16,000 – 22,000 | 18,800 |
| Senior (5+ years) | 22,000 – 28,000 | 25,500 |
| Lead (5-7+ years) | 29,000 – 40,000 | 35,200 |
Security Engineer Salary by Specialization in Poland
The specialization of a Security Engineer significantly influences salary levels in Poland’s IT and cybersecurity sectors. As businesses expand their digital operations and adopt cloud-native technologies, the demand for professionals skilled in Cloud Security, Network Security, and DevSecOps has intensified. Each specialization addresses different security challenges—from safeguarding hybrid cloud environments to embedding security in software development lifecycles—and offers distinct earning potential based on expertise and industry relevance.
A. Cloud Security Engineer Salary in Poland
Cloud Security Engineers are responsible for protecting cloud-based infrastructures across platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Their tasks include configuring security policies, enforcing identity and access management (IAM), implementing encryption, and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. These professionals are particularly valued in industries like finance, e-commerce, and healthcare, where secure data processing is critical.
- Junior Cloud Security Engineer Salary: 6,500 – 12,000 PLN/month
- Mid/Regular Cloud Security Engineer Salary: 17,000 – 22,500 PLN/month
- Senior Cloud Security Engineer Salary: 23,000 – 28,500 PLN/month
- Lead Cloud Security Engineer Salary: 30,000 – 40,600 PLN/month
B. Network Security Engineer Salary in Poland
Network Security Engineers focus on defending corporate networks against threats such as unauthorized access, data breaches, and DDoS attacks. Their responsibilities include managing firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS/IPS), VPN configurations, and network segmentation strategies. With the rise of hybrid workplaces and distributed systems, their role is becoming more important than ever, especially in telecom, manufacturing, and enterprise IT sectors.
- Junior Network Security Engineer Salary: 6,000 – 11,500 PLN/month
- Mid/Regular Network Security Engineer Salary: 16,000 – 21,800 PLN/month
- Senior Network Security Engineer Salary: 22,000 – 28,300 PLN/month
- Lead Network Security Engineer Salary: 29,000 – 40,000 PLN/month
C. DevSecOps Engineer Salary in Poland
DevSecOps Engineers play a pivotal role in integrating security into every stage of the software development lifecycle. These professionals use automated tools to detect vulnerabilities in code, enforce compliance in CI/CD pipelines, and ensure secure deployments in cloud-native and AI-driven applications. They are in high demand within agile development teams and fast-scaling startups that prioritize security-by-design principles.
- Junior DevSecOps Engineer Salary: 6,800 – 12,200 PLN/month
- Mid/Regular DevSecOps Engineer Salary: 17,500 – 23,000 PLN/month
- Senior DevSecOps Engineer Salary: 23,500 – 29,000 PLN/month
- Lead DevSecOps Engineer Salary: 31,000 – 41,000 PLN/month
Summary: Security Engineer Salaries in Poland by Specialisation
| Specialisation | Junior (PLN) | Mid/Regular (PLN) | Senior (PLN) | Lead (PLN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Security | 6,500 – 12,000 | 17,000 – 22,500 | 23,000 – 28,500 | 30,000 – 40,600 |
| Network Security | 6,000 – 11,500 | 16,000 – 21,800 | 22,000 – 28,300 | 29,000 – 40,000 |
| DevSecOps | 6,800 – 12,200 | 17,500 – 23,000 | 23,500 – 29,000 | 31,000 – 41,000 |
Security Engineer Salaries in Major Polish Cities
Salaries for Security Engineers in Poland differ notably depending on the city, reflecting factors like regional demand for cybersecurity talent, cost of living, and the local presence of tech-driven businesses. Key Polish cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław stand out with more competitive compensation packages due to the growing need for professionals skilled in cloud security, network defense, and information security compliance. Below is a breakdown of average salary ranges for Security Engineers based on location and experience level.
A. Security Engineer Salaries in Warsaw
As the financial and technological heart of Poland, Warsaw offers the most attractive salaries for cybersecurity professionals. Demand is especially strong for engineers experienced in AI security, cloud infrastructure protection, and enterprise-grade incident response.
- Junior Security Engineer: 6,000 – 12,000 PLN/month
- Mid-Level Security Engineer: 16,600 – 22,400 PLN/month
- Senior Security Engineer: 23,600 – 28,900 PLN/month
- Lead Security Engineer: 29,000 – 40,000 PLN/month
B. Security Engineer Salaries in Kraków
With its dense concentration of international IT hubs and a thriving startup scene, Kraków continues to be a cybersecurity employment hotspot. Engineers here work on securing large-scale cloud-native applications, DevSecOps pipelines, and regulated data environments for fintech and SaaS businesses.
- Junior Security Engineer: 6,000 – 12,000 PLN/month
- Mid-Level Security Engineer: 16,700 – 22,800 PLN/month
- Senior Security Engineer: 23,000 – 28,700 PLN/month
- Lead Security Engineer: 29,000 – 40,000 PLN/month
C. Security Engineer Salaries in Wrocław
Wrocław’s fast-growing tech ecosystem is home to both startups and global tech enterprises. The city’s Security Engineers are often involved in vulnerability management, penetration testing, and cloud access security brokerage (CASB) implementation.
- Junior Security Engineer: 6,000 – 12,000 PLN/month
- Mid-Level Security Engineer: 16,600 – 22,500 PLN/month
- Senior Security Engineer: 23,400 – 28,900 PLN/month
- Lead Security Engineer: 29,000 – 40,000 PLN/month
D. Security Engineer Salaries in Gdańsk
Gdańsk is rapidly gaining ground as a coastal tech hub, offering attractive work-life balance and strong career paths in software and information security. Local companies increasingly seek Security Engineers for SIEM integration, threat intelligence, and cloud risk assessments.
- Junior Security Engineer: 6,000 – 12,000 PLN/month
- Mid-Level Security Engineer: 16,400 – 22,300 PLN/month
- Senior Security Engineer: 23,300 – 28,800 PLN/month
- Lead Security Engineer: 29,000 – 40,000 PLN/month
E. Security Engineer Salaries in Poznań
Poznań’s emerging tech ecosystem, bolstered by remote-first companies, is creating new opportunities for IT security professionals. The demand is growing for experts in network segmentation, zero trust architecture, and data loss prevention (DLP).
- Junior Security Engineer: 6,000 – 12,000 PLN/month
- Mid-Level Security Engineer: 16,600 – 22,100 PLN/month
- Senior Security Engineer: 22,800 – 28,400 PLN/month
- Lead Security Engineer: 29,000 – 40,000 PLN/month
Summary: Security Engineer Salaries in Poland by City
| City | Junior (PLN) | Mid-Level (PLN) | Senior (PLN) | Lead (PLN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | 6,000 – 12,000 | 16,600 – 22,400 | 23,600 – 28,900 | 29,000 – 40,000 |
| Kraków | 6,000 – 12,000 | 16,700 – 22,800 | 23,000 – 28,700 | 29,000 – 40,000 |
| Wrocław | 6,000 – 12,000 | 16,600 – 22,500 | 23,400 – 28,900 | 29,000 – 40,000 |
| Gdańsk | 6,000 – 12,000 | 16,400 – 22,300 | 23,300 – 28,800 | 29,000 – 40,000 |
| Poznań | 6,000 – 12,000 | 16,600 – 22,100 | 22,800 – 28,400 | 29,000 – 40,000 |
Senior Security Engineer Salaries: Poland vs. Other Developed Countries
Senior Security Engineers in Poland earn competitive local salaries, especially within major cities like Warsaw and Kraków. However, their compensation still trails significantly behind the levels seen in top global tech markets. Below, we compare Polish cybersecurity salaries with those in other developed nations to understand how Poland stands in the global landscape.
A. Senior Security Engineer salary in the USA vs Poland
The United States leads the global cybersecurity job market, offering some of the highest salaries for professionals in information security, cloud security, and threat detection.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- USA (Senior): 13,700 – 21,100 USD/month (Source: Glassdoor, Jobicy)
B. Senior Security Engineer salary in Canada vs Poland
Canada’s rapidly growing digital infrastructure supports robust demand for cybersecurity experts, with salaries well above Polish standards.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- Canada (Senior): 8,500 – 18,800 USD/month (Source: Jobicy, Glassdoor)
C. Senior Security Engineer salary in Switzerland vs Poland
Switzerland is a European powerhouse in IT security roles, offering elite pay for cybersecurity specialists, particularly those working in banking and finance.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- Switzerland (Senior): 13,100 – 23,200 USD/month (Source: Jobicy, Glassdoor)
D. Senior Security Engineer salary in Israel vs Poland
With its status as a cybersecurity innovation hub, Israel pays high wages for engineers experienced in network defense, cloud security, and zero trust architecture.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- Israel (Senior): 9,800 – 14,800 USD/month (Source: Glassdoor, Jobicy)
E. Senior Security Engineer salary in Australia vs Poland
Australia’s vibrant tech ecosystems in Sydney and Melbourne push demand for Senior Security Engineers, especially those familiar with compliance frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- Australia (Senior): 10,800 – 18,600 USD/month (Source: Glassdoor, Jobicy)
F. Senior Security Engineer salary in The United Kingdom vs Poland
In the United Kingdom, particularly in London and Manchester, Senior Security Engineers are well-compensated to protect enterprise systems against rising cyber threats.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- The UK (Senior): 7,400 – 19,400 USD/month (Source: Glassdoor, Jobicy)
G. Senior Security Engineer salary in Germany vs Poland
Germany is home to Europe’s top tech companies, especially in Berlin and Munich. Salaries are strong, particularly for engineers with skills in SIEM, penetration testing, and incident response.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- Germany (Senior): 7,300 – 17,800 USD/month (Source: Glassdoor, Jobicy)
H. Senior Security Engineer salary in The Netherlands vs Poland
The Netherlands, with Amsterdam at its center, offers competitive salaries for security professionals working on cloud security, data privacy, and governance.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- The Netherlands (Senior): 7,200 – 17,600 USD/month (Source: Glassdoor, Jobicy)
I. Senior Security Engineer salary in Norway vs Poland
Norway provides attractive salaries for Senior Security Engineers, especially those involved in critical infrastructure protection and security auditing, though living costs are high.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- Norway (Senior): 12,200 – 18,400 USD/month (Source: Jobicy)
J. Senior Security Engineer salary in Sweden vs Poland
Sweden’s growing demand for cybersecurity professionals keeps salaries above Polish levels, though still below the likes of the US and Switzerland.
- Poland (Senior): 22,000 – 28,000 PLN/month (~5,900 – 7,500 USD/month)
- Sweden (Senior): 11,600 – 17,300 USD/month (Source: Jobicy)
Summary: Senior Security Engineer Salaries in Poland vs. Other Countries
| Country | Average Senior Salary (USD/month) |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | 13,700 – 21,100 USD |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 8,500 – 18,800 USD |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 13,100 – 23,200 USD |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | 9,800 – 14,800 USD |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 10,800 – 18,600 USD |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 7,400 – 19,400 USD |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 7,300 – 17,800 USD |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 7,200 – 17,600 USD |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | 12,200 – 18,400 USD |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | 11,600 – 17,300 USD |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | 5,900 – 7,500 USD |
While Poland’s salaries for Senior Security Engineers remain modest compared to global standards, the country’s growing cybersecurity ecosystem, lower cost of living, and expanding remote opportunities make it an appealing base for professionals looking to build a long-term career in information security.
Practical Advice for For Security Engineers Seeking Competitive Salaries in Poland
To enhance your earning potential as a Cyber Security engineer in Poland, consider implementing the following strategies:
- Security engineers in Poland aiming to maximize their earnings should begin by carefully considering their type of employment contract. Choosing between a traditional employment contract (UoP – Umowa o Pracę) and a B2B contract (self-employment) can significantly impact take-home pay. While B2B contracts typically offer higher net income, they also come with responsibilities such as handling taxes, healthcare, and retirement contributions independently. Conversely, UoP contracts provide greater stability, social security benefits, and paid leave, which may be preferable for professionals prioritizing long-term security and structured benefits. Your choice should reflect your personal and financial goals.
- Building deep expertise in high-demand areas of cybersecurity is crucial. Employers highly value professionals who specialize in fields such as cloud security, network security, application security, or DevSecOps. Proficiency in tools and frameworks like SIEM (e.g., Splunk, ELK), IDS/IPS, firewalls, vulnerability scanning platforms, and container security solutions will make your skill set more attractive. Familiarity with regulatory standards like ISO 27001, NIST, or GDPR compliance is also essential, especially for roles in industries with strict data protection obligations. Security engineers who combine technical knowledge with a strong understanding of risk management and governance are often rewarded with higher salaries.
- Showcasing your capabilities through real-world contributions and hands-on experience can dramatically improve your job prospects. Maintaining a portfolio that includes penetration testing reports, audit documentation, remediation strategies, and secure architecture designs can demonstrate your value to prospective employers. If applicable, contribute to open-source security projects or publish thought leadership content to establish credibility in the field.
- Networking remains a powerful way to uncover new opportunities. Attending cybersecurity conferences, meetups, and online events – especially those focused on cloud security, incident response, or threat intelligence – can connect you with hiring managers, peers, and potential mentors. These connections often lead to job offers or freelance projects that aren’t publicly advertised. Staying engaged with the global InfoSec community through platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and GitHub can keep you visible and relevant.
- Another effective strategy for boosting income is seeking remote roles with international organizations. Many global companies are open to hiring Polish-based security engineers, offering salaries significantly above the local market average. These roles allow you to leverage Poland’s cost of living advantage while earning in stronger currencies, making them an attractive option for experienced professionals.
- Remaining up to date with the fast-moving world of cybersecurity is essential. Earning industry-recognized certifications such as CISSP, OSCP, CISM, CEH, or cloud-specific credentials like AWS Security Specialty or Azure Security Engineer Associate can substantially enhance your professional profile. Continuous learning—whether through courses, hands-on labs, or industry publications—signals to employers that you’re serious about advancing your career and are ready for more senior, higher-paying roles.
By carefully managing employment structure, focusing on in-demand security domains, building a strong professional presence, and staying current with trends and certifications, security engineers in Poland can significantly improve their earning potential and unlock access to competitive roles in both domestic and international markets.
Conclusion
The demand for skilled security engineers in Poland continues to grow as companies across industries prioritize cybersecurity and compliance. Salaries for security professionals vary depending on experience, specialization, and familiarity with in-demand tools and frameworks such as SIEM systems, IDS/IPS, cloud security platforms, and regulatory standards like ISO 27001 or NIST.
While compensation in Poland may not reach the levels seen in tech powerhouses like the United States or Switzerland, it remains competitive when measured against the country’s cost of living—especially in tech hubs like Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław. Security engineers can significantly enhance their earning potential by developing deep expertise in high-priority domains, earning certifications such as CISSP, OSCP, or cloud-specific credentials, and gaining hands-on experience with threat detection, incident response, and infrastructure hardening.
Career prospects can be further strengthened by showcasing practical experience through a strong portfolio, engaging with the InfoSec community, and considering remote roles with global companies that offer international-level compensation. Poland’s maturing tech ecosystem, combined with the global shift toward distributed teams, makes it an attractive base for security engineers seeking career growth and higher salaries.
At Itentio IT Recruitment, we specialize in connecting outstanding cybersecurity talent with forward-thinking employers across Poland and Europe. Whether you’re a security engineer exploring new opportunities or a company seeking trusted professionals to strengthen your security posture, we’re here to help you succeed.
At Itentio IT Recruitment, we specialize in connecting outstanding cybersecurity talent with forward-thinking employers across Poland and Europe. Whether you’re a security engineer exploring new opportunities or a company seeking trusted professionals to strengthen your security posture, we’re here to help you succeed!
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