Digital forensics salary: Insights to boost your career

Digital forensics salary: Insights to boost your career

When looking for cyber security jobs, IT forensics roles could be a good option for those with the right skill set. It’s a rapidly growing industry with cyber crime on the rise, meaning businesses, governments and law enforcement agencies are all in need of digital forensics specialists.

A digital forensics salary will vary depending on location, type of job and level of experience, but can be a lucrative career. With the right education, qualifications and certifications, a role as a digital crime investigator could provide a successful future and an average salary of £45,000.

Average digital forensics salaries across the UK

• Those in senior digital forensics roles often reach the heights of £80,000, depending on their employer.
• The annual average in the US is $77,448 (£61,250) per year, while in Germany, those with the equivalent job title can earn €56,000 (£46,400).

Consultants, who are often very experienced in the field of digital forensics, can command high daily salaries and flexible hours working for organisations that need leadership and direction in this area. Continued professional development and solid career growth could eventually lead to this position and salaries of up to £550 per day.

Where you decide to work will have an impact on your digital forensics salary, with law enforcement, private firms and IT being among the most prominent employers. It’s not just how much money you’ll make, however, as aligning your skills and interests with the right role for you.

Skills to boost a digital forensics salary

To begin your digital forensics career, you need to start thinking about obtaining the right skills and qualifications. These should be a combination of technical and soft skills, as well as industry accreditations that can be combined with hands-on experience.

Among the technical skills you’ll need are:

• Knowledge of forensic tools
• Fundamentals of cyber security
• Aptitude for coding
• Expertise in operating systems like Windows, Linux and macOS
• Understanding of encryption algorithms and techniques
• Ability to identify and analyse malicious software
• Knowledge of cloud storage platforms

Soft skills that are useful in the digital forensics field include:

• Analytical thinking
• Communication
• Attention to detail
• Desire for continuous learning

Some of the certifications that enhance earning potential in a digital forensics investigator job are:

• Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
• Certified Digital Forensics Examiner (CDFE)
• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
• Digital Forensics Essentials (D|FE)

Digital forensics career path

Typical entry-level positions include digital forensics analyst, junior digital forensic investigator, computer forensics technician, digital evidence collector and cyber security analyst. All of these roles represent a good opportunity to put any learning into practice and gain in-person experience.

From here, you’ll be in a strong position to  progress to more senior roles, where your forensic computer analyst salary is likely to be higher. These include:

• Senior digital forensic investigator
• Digital forensics lead
• Forensic manager
• Director of digital forensics
• Senior cyber incident response analyst
• Head of cyber investigations
• Senior digital forensic specialist

Staying updated with technological advancements is crucial to move up the career ladder in this field. Ongoing education and training are required for growth, with each move earned through proven results and quantifiable outcomes.

Tips to maximise your earning potential

Upping your chances of earning more than the average salary in digital forensics means being proactive. Here are three tactics you can use that will help you maximise your earning potential and move up through the ranks more quickly.

Employ strategies to negotiate better pay

• Research market rates for your position
• Highlighting your skills and accomplishments
• Put together a compelling case in advance
• Be confident in your value
• Practicing your negotiation points
• Be open to discuss alternative compensation options

Gain experience through internships and projects

Solid examples of real-life experience can provide the evidence you need to negotiate a higher digital forensics salary. Keep a note of projects to build a portfolio you can turn to when you’re thinking about approaching your boss and the hard work will already have been done for you.

Network within the industry

In-person events are a great opportunity to access better job opportunities through referrals, but not only that, networking increases your visibility within the industry. Your connections will be able to vouch for your skills and experience, improving your reputation and therefore your job prospects. 

Does digital forensics offer job security?

The future of digital forensics doesn’t appear to be waning anytime soon, as the world increasingly relies on digital solutions and cyber security to keep us safe. A big part of that is always likely to be digital crime investigations, as understanding the perpetrators of cyber crime is the best way to stop them in the future.

A career in digital forensics comes with many benefits, including job stability, competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement. Many of the challenges in the field, including staying updated with evolving technologies, are what appeals to prospective IT professionals looking to make digital forensics their speciality.

The route to a rewarding career in digital forensics

Starting a digital forensics career means learning the foundations, developing skills and getting hands-on experience as soon as possible. Junior digital forensics positions can quickly lead to more senior roles if you’re keen to learn from your peers and those above you, commit to continuous professional development and put your networking skills to good use.

Search digital forensics roles for your next career move.