AB
October 26, 2026 | Alberta
Cybersecurity specialists (NOC 21220) in Alberta earned an average of $46.94 an hour, or $94,202 a year, in the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, the latest wage data on ALIS. Two related IT occupations, user support technicians and computer network and web technicians, had starting wage averages of $31.39 and $34.28 an hour. These are survey averages, not guaranteed pay. Here's what ALIS shows by occupation, region, and industry, and how to read it if you're planning a career change.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Alberta by Role
ALIS reports wages by occupation. Here are three occupations connected to cybersecurity work in Alberta:
| Role (NOC 2021) | Career Stage | Starting Wage | Average Wage | Top Wage | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User support technicians (22221) | Entry level | $31.39 | $38.75 | $42.36 | $76,883 |
| Computer network and web technicians (22220) | Entry to mid-level | $34.28 | $40.59 | $47.84 | $81,233 |
| Cybersecurity specialists (21220) | Advanced, with experience | $40.28 | $46.94 | $51.30 | $94,202 |
Here's what the comparison shows:
- Cybersecurity specialists have the highest figures of the three. Their starting, average, and top wages are all higher. ALIS's Systems Security Analyst profile notes that most employers prefer applicants with several years' experience and relevant certifications.
- The ranges overlap. Top-paid network technicians average $47.84, slightly above the cybersecurity specialist average of $46.94.
- Each row is a different occupation. The table compares jobs. It doesn't show what anyone earns when moving from one role to another.
What ALIS Starting, Average, and Top Wages Mean
ALIS reports three pay levels for every occupation:
| ALIS Wage | What ALIS Measures |
|---|---|
| Starting wage | Average pay offered for entry-level positions |
| Average wage | Average pay across all employees in the occupation |
| Top wage | Average pay offered to top-paid employees |
All three are averages from an employer survey, not guaranteed pay for graduates of any program. Actual pay may be lower or higher, depending on the employer, region, role, and your experience. ALIS also reports an average yearly salary, and its hourly figures cover both full-time and part-time employees.
Cybersecurity Pay by Region in Alberta
Calgary and Edmonton pay almost the same. ALIS's regional wage data is most complete for network technicians:
| Region | Starting Wage | Average Wage | Top Wage | Data Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $34.28 | $40.59 | $47.84 | High |
| Edmonton | $34.53 | $41.11 | $48.44 | High |
| Calgary | $34.96 | $40.93 | $48.57 | Good |
| Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake | $39.39 | $45.47 | $50.35 | Lower |
| Athabasca-Grande Prairie | $27.94 | $36.62 | $44.96 | Lower |
| Red Deer | $33.49 | $36.85 | $40.05 | Lower |
| Lethbridge-Medicine Hat | $29.01 | $35.61 | $42.23 | Lower |
Here's what the regional data means:
- Calgary vs Edmonton: The averages are only $0.18 apart. Calgary employers were more likely to have recruited network technicians in the past two years (42%, compared with 30% in Edmonton).
- Outside the two big cities: Averages range from $35.61 to $45.47, but they come from smaller samples, so treat them as rough guides.
- Cybersecurity specialists: ALIS reports regional wages only for Calgary and Edmonton, and both estimates carry lower or lowest reliability. The provincial average is the safer benchmark.
ALIS's survey methodology notes that reliability drops at the regional and industry level, even with just over 6,100 survey responses. For hiring outlooks by region, see how cybersecurity demand looks in Alberta.
Which Industries Pay Cybersecurity and Network Roles the Most?
Public administration pays the most among industries with reliable ALIS data. Here are the network technician figures for industries rated high or good reliability:
| Industry | Starting Wage | Average Wage | Data Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration | $41.95 | $49.72 | High |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $39.10 | $42.89 | Good |
| All industries | $34.28 | $40.59 | High |
| Educational Services | $32.34 | $39.49 | Good |
Public administration also leads the reliable figures for user support technicians ($41.49 average). It's the only industry ALIS reports separately for cybersecurity specialists, at a $50.57 average with high reliability.
Our takeaway: network technicians in public administration averaged $49.72, more than cybersecurity specialists across all industries ($46.94). In ALIS's averages, industry can matter as much as job title.
What the Numbers Mean for Your Plan
Your starting point decides which figures matter most:
| Your Situation | What the ALIS Data Suggests |
|---|---|
| New to IT | Starting wages for entry-level positions averaged $31.39 for user support and $34.28 for network technicians. Actual offers may be lower or higher. |
| Comparing occupations | Use average wages, which cover all employees in each occupation. |
| Living outside Calgary or Edmonton | Check your region on ALIS, since network technician averages ranged from $35.61 to $45.47. |
| Open to any employer | Public administration had the highest reliable averages for support and network roles. |
| Comparing job offers | Ask about benefits and overtime, since ALIS wages leave these out. |
What the Data Doesn't Show
Read these figures with three limits in mind:
- Pay beyond wages: ALIS figures exclude overtime, tips, benefits, profit shares, and bonuses.
- Timing: The figures are from 2023. The Government of Alberta is now conducting the 2026 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, so newer numbers are on the way.
- Who is counted: The data describes people working in each occupation, not graduates of any training program. Your pay will depend on the role, employer, region, and your experience. ALIS also notes that salaries for systems security analysts vary with education, experience, and the duties they perform.
How CDI College Can Help You Prepare Careers in Cybersecurity
CDI College's Cybersecurity Specialist Diploma Program in Edmonton and Calgary is built around the computer network and web technician occupation (NOC 22220), with a security specialization on top:
- Length: 76 weeks (1,595 hours), including a 175-hour practicum at a job site or a 175-hour capstone project
- IT foundation: PC support, networking, Windows, servers, Linux, secure cloud environments, PowerShell, Python, and Cisco networking
- Security phase: Security+, Risk Identification and Mitigation, Cybersecurity Essentials, Cybersecurity Analyst CySA+, Penetration Testing, and Advanced Security
- AI foundations: Student Success Strategies and IT Fundamentals introduce AI applications and limitations, generative AI tools, basic prompt engineering, and AI ethics and privacy in cybersecurity
- Certification exams: Helps you prepare for exams in six areas: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CySA+, and PenTest+, plus Cisco CCNA
- Career preparation: A Career and Employment Strategies course covering job search and mock interviews
Contact your campus for program availability and delivery options. For the full pathway, read our guide on how to become a cybersecurity specialist in Alberta.
Final Thoughts
ALIS data shows how pay differs across three cybersecurity-related occupations in Alberta, with average wages from $38.75 an hour for user support technicians to $46.94 for cybersecurity specialists. Region and industry make a difference too. These are 2023 survey averages, not guaranteed pay, so use them as a guide and watch for the 2026 survey results.
Request more information about CDI College's Cybersecurity Specialist program, admission requirements, financial options and start dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Cybersecurity Analysts Make in Canada?
Nationally, Job Bank lists a median of $49.52 an hour for cybersecurity specialists (NOC 21220), the group that includes analysts, as of November 19, 2025. Our national wage guide compares it with support and network roles.
Do Management Roles in Cybersecurity Pay More?
Management roles may offer higher pay. Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20012), including cybersecurity managers, averaged $62.22 an hour in Alberta in 2023. The NOC requires several years of experience, including supervisory experience.
Do Cybersecurity Jobs Include Benefits?
Most do. Nationally, Job Bank reports that 96.2% of cybersecurity specialists receive at least one non-wage benefit. ALIS wage figures leave out benefits, overtime, and bonuses, so total compensation can be higher.
