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Ethical Penetration Testing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Judge Group, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Beltsville, MD · On-site

$60 - $70/hr

Penetration Testing Tools * Vulnerability Remediation * Operating Systems Expertise: * Deep ... CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) * GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester) * CPT (Certified Penetration Tester ...

Cymertek Corporation

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

... Ethical Hacking, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field • Proficiency in penetration testing tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, or Nessus • Strong ...

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How much do ethical penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for ethical penetration testing in the United States is $119,895.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,000.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is ethical penetration testing?

Ethical penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is the practice of simulating cyberattacks on a computer system, network, or application with the permission of its owner. The goal is to identify security vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. Ethical penetration testers use the same tools and techniques as cybercriminals but report findings so they can be fixed, helping organizations strengthen their security. This process is a critical part of a comprehensive cybersecurity program and helps ensure compliance with industry regulations.

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

To thrive as an Ethical Penetration Tester, you need strong knowledge of network security, operating systems, and common vulnerabilities, typically backed by a degree in computer science or cybersecurity and relevant certifications like CEH or OSCP. Familiarity with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap is essential for simulating and assessing security threats. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are key soft skills for identifying risks and clearly reporting findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders. These competencies ensure that security assessments are thorough, actionable, and help organizations strengthen their defenses against real-world cyber threats.

What are some common challenges faced by ethical penetration testers during client engagements?

Ethical penetration testers often encounter challenges such as limited timeframes to conduct thorough assessments, incomplete or ambiguous scope definitions from clients, and the need to balance effective testing with minimal disruption to live systems. Communication is key—testers must clearly report findings and collaborate with IT teams to remediate vulnerabilities. Additionally, staying current with emerging threats and tools is essential to deliver valuable insights and maintain industry standards.

What is the difference between Ethical Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Analyst?

AspectEthical Penetration TestingVulnerability Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH
Work EnvironmentSimulated attacks on systems to identify security gapsAnalyzing vulnerabilities and assessing risk levels
Industry UsageSecurity firms, IT departments, consultingSecurity teams, risk management, compliance

Ethical Penetration Testers actively simulate cyberattacks to find exploitable weaknesses, while Vulnerability Analysts focus on identifying and prioritizing security flaws through assessments. Both roles require similar certifications and often work within the same industry sectors, but their core activities differ: testing versus analysis.

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Cities with the most Ethical Penetration Testing job openings:

What states have the most Ethical Penetration Testing jobs?

States with the most job openings for Ethical Penetration Testing jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Ethical Penetration Testing jobs look for?

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Ethical Penetration Testing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ethical Penetration Testing job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Penetration Tester

Judge Group, Inc.

Beltsville, MD • On-site

$60 - $70/hr

Other

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Location: Beltsville, MD Salary: $60.00 USD Hourly - $70.00 USD Hourly Description: The Judge Group is currently seeking a Penetration Tester with an active secret clearance to support a classified customer in Beltsville, MD. This position is onsite five days per week.
Core Requirements
  • Active Security Clearance
  • Federal Contracting Experience
  • Familiarity with working in government environments, including compliance with NIST, FISMA, and FedRAMP standards.

Technical Skills
  • Penetration Testing Tools
  • Vulnerability Remediation
  • Operating Systems Expertise:
  • Deep understanding of Windows, Linux, and macOS internals.
  • Scripting & Programming:
  • Experience with Python, PowerShell, Bash, or other scripting languages used in automation and exploit development.
  • Network & Web Application Testing:
  • Ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in networks, APIs, and web applications (e.g., SQLi, XSS, CSRF).
  • Active Directory & Cloud Environments:
  • Experience with AD enumeration and exploitation; familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Certifications (Preferred)
  • HVA Operator Certification strongly desired
  • OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
  • CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
  • GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester)
  • CPT (Certified Penetration Tester)

Soft Skills
  • Strong report writing and communication skills
  • Ability to brief technical findings to non-technical stakeholders
  • Team collaboration and red team/blue team coordination experience

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This job and many more are available through The Judge Group. Please apply with us today!

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