October 9, 2026
If you're thinking about moving into cybersecurity, pay is one of the first things you'll want to check. The challenge is that salary figures online can mix technician, analyst, and specialist roles into one number, which makes it hard to know what applies to you.
This guide uses BC government labour market data for the occupation group that matches technician-level roles. It explains what the numbers can and can't tell you and shows where job openings are forecast across the province.
How Much Does a Cybersecurity Technician Make in BC?
The provincial median wage for computer network and web technicians (NOC 22220) in British Columbia is $31.25 an hour, according to WorkBC's career profile for computer network and web technicians. WorkBC lists the source as the B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from the latest Job Bank wage data. CDI College aligns the Cybersecurity Technician with AI diploma with NOC 22220.
| Wage Level (BC, 2025 Data) | Hourly Rate | Annual Estimate* |
|---|---|---|
| Low | $20.00 | $41,600 |
| Median | $31.25 | $65,000 |
| High | $49.04 | $102,003 |
*Annual estimates are our own calculation (hourly rate x 40 hours x 52 weeks), before tax and deductions. They're for comparison only. Neither WorkBC nor Job Bank publishes them as salary figures.
In practice, the median is the midpoint of reported wages across everyone in the occupation, including people with many years of experience. It isn't a starting wage, and the published data doesn't show what someone new to the field earns.
Why Salary Sites Show Different Numbers for Cybersecurity Technicians
There's no stand-alone National Occupational Classification (NOC) code called "cybersecurity technician." Job titles like cybersecurity technician, network security analyst, and IT security support analyst are grouped into broader occupations, and different sources group them differently.
Two occupation groups come up most often in BC cybersecurity searches:
- NOC 22220, computer network and web technicians: example titles include network administrator, LAN administrator, network support technician, and system administrator. WorkBC lists a diploma or certificate in network or system administration, technology support, or a related field as required.
- NOC 21220, cybersecurity specialists: WorkBC's cybersecurity specialist profile lists a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer security, or a related field, or a college program in information technology or network administration.
When a salary page blends these groups or relies on self-reported job postings, its figure can look quite different from the government data above. Before you rely on any salary number, check which occupation it describes and where the data came from.
Where Are the Job Openings in BC?
WorkBC forecasts 4,520 job openings for computer network and web technicians in BC from 2025 to 2035, based on the B.C. Labour Market Outlook. WorkBC also labels the occupation a "High Opportunity Occupation."
| Region | Forecast Openings (2025 to 2035) | Share of BC Total** |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland/Southwest | 3,330 | About 74% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 690 | About 15% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 300 | About 7% |
| Cariboo, Kootenay, North Coast and Nechako, Northeast (combined) | 200 | About 4% |
**Shares are our own calculation from WorkBC's regional figures.
For comparison, the same outlook forecasts 820 openings for cybersecurity specialists (NOC 21220) over the same period. That means the forecast for the technician-level network occupation is more than five times larger in BC. If you're comparing training pathways, factor in that difference in scale alongside wages.
Which Industries Hire Computer Network Technicians?
Most forecast openings are in one sector. WorkBC's top industries for NOC 22220 job openings from 2025 to 2035 are:
- Professional, scientific, and technical services: 2,820 openings (about 62% of the total, our calculation)
- Health care and social assistance: 270
- Educational services: 250
- Public administration: 240
- Finance, insurance, and real estate: 170
This matters for your job search. Professional, scientific, and technical services includes IT service and consulting firms, so a large share of opportunities may be with companies that support other organizations' networks, not only with in-house IT teams.
What the Wage Data Doesn't Tell You
The provincial wage figures are useful, but they have limits that are easy to miss:
- No breakdown by experience: the published table shows low, median, and high wages, not wages by years in the field.
- No breakdown by certification: WorkBC notes that certification isn't required for NOC 22220 but may help job prospects. It doesn't report a wage difference for certified workers.
- No regional wage split: WorkBC shows openings by region, but its wage table covers the whole province.
- Hours vary: WorkBC says computer network technicians usually work 40 hours a week and may work evenings, weekends, or on call when support is needed outside office hours.
If you're changing careers, a practical step is to compare the low and median figures with your current income and to plan for the time you'll spend in training. Treat the high figure as a picture of the top of the occupation, not as a target timeline. For the steps from training to certification, see our guide to becoming a cybersecurity technician in BC.
How the Cybersecurity Technician with AI Program Fits These Roles
CDI College's cybersecurity technician training in BC is a 75-week diploma program with 1,590 hours of training, including a mandatory 210-hour (six-week) practicum at a job site. CDI College aligns the diploma with NOC 22220, the same occupation group used for the wage data above. Training covers networking, Windows and Linux server administration, secure cloud environments, PowerShell and Python scripting, and security topics such as threat analysis, incident response, and penetration testing.
| Program Detail | Details |
|---|---|
| Credential | Cybersecurity Technician with AI diploma |
| Length | 75 weeks full time, 1,590 hours |
| Practicum | 210 hours (six weeks), mandatory |
| Exam Preparation | Helps students prepare for CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CySA+, PenTest+, and Cisco CCNA exams |
| AI Focus | Responsible use of generative AI for threat analysis, scripting, diagnostics, and help desk tasks, with critical review of AI output |
The diploma doesn't award industry certifications. Students write those exams separately, and the providers issue the certifications. To plan your path, see which certifications beginners should know, how Security+, CySA+, and PenTest+ differ, and how Network+ and CCNA compare for cybersecurity.
Final Thoughts
The BC median wage for computer network and web technicians is $31.25 an hour based on 2025 data, and most forecast openings are in the Mainland/Southwest region and in technical services firms. The most useful thing you can do with salary data is read it carefully: before you make a training decision, check the occupation code, the year, and what the number leaves out.
Request more information about admission requirements, financial options, and start dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Cybersecurity Technician the Same as a Cybersecurity Specialist?
No. Technician-level network roles fall under NOC 22220, while cybersecurity specialists are NOC 21220. Each group has its own wages, education requirements, and job openings forecast in BC.
Do Certifications Increase a Cybersecurity Technician's Salary in BC?
Published BC wage data doesn't show a pay difference by certification. WorkBC says certification isn't required for NOC 22220 but may help job prospects.
Where in BC Are Most Computer Network Technician Jobs?
The Mainland/Southwest region has about 74% of the 4,520 openings WorkBC forecasts from 2025 to 2035, followed by Vancouver Island/Coast at about 15%.
