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Associate Tester Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

VTG

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA

$150K - $195K/yr

Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND Pen Tester Experience: 3 years OR High School GED + 5 Years Relevant Experience Associates Degree + 4 Years Relevant Experience Masters or Higher + 2 Years Relevant ...

Collabera

Tester

Rockville, MD

Associate's degree in a technical field such as computer science, computer engineering or related ... Net) Experience using testing software such as Selenium/Cucumber/Protractor/Gatling/Loadrunner etc ...

VTG

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$150K - $195K/yr

Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND Pen Tester Experience: 3 years OR High School GED + 5 Years Relevant Experience Associates Degree + 4 Years Relevant Experience Masters or Higher + 2 Years Relevant ...

Steampunk

Salesforce Tester

Mclean, VA · On-site +1

$90K - $130K/yr

CAST (Certified Associate in Software Testing) * International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Certification * Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) * DHS Trusted Tester ...

Steampunk

Salesforce Tester

Mclean, VA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

CAST (Certified Associate in Software Testing) * International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Certification * Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) * DHS Trusted Tester ...

Steampunk

Salesforce Tester

Mclean, VA

$90K - $130K/yr

CAST (Certified Associate in Software Testing) * International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Certification * Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) * DHS Trusted Tester ...

Cyber Defense Technologies

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

CDT is looking for a Penetration Tester to This will be supporting a government customer onsite in ... High School Diploma/GED, Associates Degree and 5 years of relevant work experience. * Bachelor ...

Steampunk

QA Tester

Mclean, VA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

CAST (Certified Associate in Software Testing) * International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Certification * Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) * DHS Trusted Tester ...

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All JobsAssociate Tester JobsAssociate Tester Jobs in Washington, DC

Associate Tester information

See Washington, DC salary details

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How much do associate tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate tester in Washington, DC is $21.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.62 and $20.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by associate testers in their day-to-day work?

Associate Testers often encounter challenges such as balancing tight deadlines with the need for thorough testing, quickly adapting to new software or updates, and effectively communicating bugs or issues to developers. They may also need to manage multiple testing tasks simultaneously while ensuring accurate documentation. Building a collaborative relationship with developers and other QA team members is essential for resolving issues efficiently and learning best practices for continuous improvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate tester?

To thrive as an Associate Tester, you need a keen attention to detail, a basic understanding of software testing principles, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with testing tools like Selenium, JIRA, and basic knowledge of scripting languages is often required. Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively set top performers apart. These skills ensure accurate identification of defects, effective reporting, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality software products.

What is an associate tester?

Associate Testers are entry-level professionals who help ensure the quality and functionality of software, games, or products by executing test cases, identifying bugs, and reporting defects to development teams. They often work under the supervision of senior testers or quality assurance leads, following established testing procedures and documentation standards. Their work is critical in finding issues before a product is released to customers, helping to improve user experience and reliability. Associate Testers may also assist with creating test documentation and reproducing issues reported by users.

What is the difference between Associate Tester vs QA Tester?

AspectAssociate TesterQA Tester
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require basic testing certificationsHigh school diploma; certifications like ISTQB are common
Work EnvironmentEntry-level testing in software development teams, often under supervisionSimilar environment, focusing on quality assurance processes
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across IT, software, and tech companies for entry-level testing rolesWidely used in software development, IT, and tech industries for quality assurance

The main difference between an Associate Tester and a QA Tester lies in experience and scope. Associate Testers are typically entry-level, focusing on basic testing tasks, while QA Testers often have more experience and handle comprehensive quality assurance processes. Both roles are essential in software development, with overlapping skills and environments, but QA Testers usually take on more complex testing responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Tester jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Tester jobs in Washington, DC are:
Associate Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Tester job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,757 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Penetration Tester

VTG

Chantilly, VA

$150K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Overview

VTG is looking for multiple levels (Level 2, 3 & 4) of a Penetration Tester in Chantilly VA and Aurora CO. (Note: position is contingent upon program award and the postions are located in Chantilly VA & Auroro CO)

A Penetration Tester (Pen Tester) is a security professional who reviews and evaluates NRO ISs and recommends changes to the Government that can improve information confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Pen Testers are also responsible for performing security focused services to improve the security posture of NRO ISs.
 
Travel: 25% estimate for pen testers (OCONUS travel 2x per year).

What will you do?
Pen Tester, Level 2 (Intermediate) Functional Description: In addition to being responsible for performing basic reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning in accordance with established testing methodologies; identifies common vulnerabilities that can be potentially exploited, documents and reports findings. Possess basic scripting abilities and an understanding of network fundamentals and vulnerability scanning tools. the Level 2 Pen Tester is responsible for conducting more complex penetration tests, exploring more complex vulnerability analysis including misconfigurations and zero-day exploits, and developing more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Leads penetration tests, mentoring junior testers, and providing technical guidance to stakeholders. Possess expertise in network protocols, application security, social engineering, and advanced scripting.
 
Pen Tester, Level 3 (Senior) Functional Description: In addition to achieved duties described in Level 2, the Pen Tester is responsible for designing and leading complex penetration tests, develops customized tools and methodologies; providing expert guidance on security best practices; identifying complex vulnerabilities, providing strategic security advice, and leading remediation efforts; collaborating with management to develop security policies, training other cybersecurity professionals, and staying abreast of emerging threats. Possess extensive knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, industry standards, and advanced security tools.
 
Pen Tester, Level 4 (Subject Matter Expert) Functional Description: In addition to achieved duties described in Level 3, the Pen Tester will possess additional years of experience as described in Table A.5.5.1.
 
 

Do you have what it takes?
Requirements:
All positions require: TS/SCI with Poly
 
Level 2 Penetration Tester:
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 3 years
OR
High School GED + 5 Years Relevant Experience
Associates Degree + 4 Years Relevant Experience
Masters or Higher + 2 Years Relevant Experience

Level 3 Penetration Tester: 

Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 4 years
OR
High School GED + 9 Years Relevant Experience
Associates Degree + 7 Years Relevant Experience
Masters or Higher + 5 Years Relevant Experience

Level 4 Penetration Tester:

Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 7 years
OR
Masters or Higher + 6 Year Relevant Experience
 

All Level Certifification Requirement: Minimum Security+
Desired: DoD 8140 - CSSP Incident Responder certification:
• CyberSec First Responder (CFR)
• Cisco Cert. Network Assoc. CyberOps (CCNA CyberOps)
• CompTIA Pen Test+
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
• Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
• CCNA Security
• GIAC Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• SCYBER
Level 2 Penetration Tester:
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 3 years
OR
High School GED + 5 Years Relevant Experience
Associates Degree + 4 Years Relevant Experience
Masters or Higher + 2 Years Relevant Experience

Level 3 Penetration Tester: 
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 4 years
OR
High School GED + 9 Years Relevant Experience
Associates Degree + 7 Years Relevant Experience
Masters or Higher + 5 Years Relevant Experience

Level 4 Penetration Tester:
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 7 years
OR
Masters or Higher + 6 Year Relevant Experience

Pay Range: VTG’s estimated starting pay range is $150,000 - 195,000 annually, which is a general guideline for and depending on the geographic location. When extending an offer, VTG also considers work experience, education, skill level, market considerations and may possibly include contractual requirements which may cause an offer to fall outside of this range

Qualifications:
Requirements:
All positions require: TS/SCI with Poly
 
Level 2 Penetration Tester:
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 3 years
OR
High School GED + 5 Years Relevant Experience
Associates Degree + 4 Years Relevant Experience
Masters or Higher + 2 Years Relevant Experience

Level 3 Penetration Tester: 

Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 4 years
OR
High School GED + 9 Years Relevant Experience
Associates Degree + 7 Years Relevant Experience
Masters or Higher + 5 Years Relevant Experience

Level 4 Penetration Tester:

Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 7 years
OR
Masters or Higher + 6 Year Relevant Experience
 

All Level Certifification Requirement: Minimum Security+
Desired: DoD 8140 - CSSP Incident Responder certification:
• CyberSec First Responder (CFR)
• Cisco Cert. Network Assoc. CyberOps (CCNA CyberOps)
• CompTIA Pen Test+
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
• Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
• CCNA Security
• GIAC Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• SCYBER
Level 2 Penetration Tester:
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 3 years
OR
High School GED + 5 Years Relevant Experience
Associates Degree + 4 Years Relevant Experience
Masters or Higher + 2 Years Relevant Experience

Level 3 Penetration Tester: 
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 4 years
OR
High School GED + 9 Years Relevant Experience
Associates Degree + 7 Years Relevant Experience
Masters or Higher + 5 Years Relevant Experience

Level 4 Penetration Tester:
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Higher, AND
Pen Tester Experience: 7 years
OR
Masters or Higher + 6 Year Relevant Experience

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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