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Graduate Penetration Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IPsoft Inc.

Security Consultant

Dallas, TX

Code Review Software/Application Penetration Testing Architecture Security Analysis and Threat ... Top graduate in Computer Science, Engineering, Math or related field Compensation & Work Location:

Western Governors University

SOC Analyst II

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$108K - $162K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating ... Advanced experience with penetration testing, threat detection engineering, or digital forensics

Western Governors University

SOC Analyst II

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$108K - $162K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating ... Advanced experience with penetration testing, threat detection engineering, or digital forensics

Western Governors University

SOC Analyst II

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$108K - $162K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating ... Advanced experience with penetration testing, threat detection engineering, or digital forensics

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Graduate Penetration Tester information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do graduate penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate penetration tester 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 are some common challenges faced by graduate penetration testers during their first year on the job?

Graduate Penetration Testers often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing security technologies and learning to effectively document and communicate their findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. They must also develop strong time management skills to balance multiple assessments or projects at once and become familiar with a wide range of systems and environments. Working closely with experienced team members and participating in debrief meetings helps new testers quickly build their technical and soft skills.

What is a graduate penetration tester?

Graduate penetration testers are entry-level cybersecurity professionals who assess the security of computer systems, networks, and applications by simulating cyberattacks. They identify vulnerabilities that malicious hackers could exploit, helping organizations strengthen their defenses. Typically, graduate penetration testers have recently completed a relevant degree or training and work under the supervision of experienced testers to develop their skills. Their work often involves conducting tests, preparing reports, and recommending security improvements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate penetration tester?

To thrive as a Graduate Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of network security, operating systems, and vulnerability assessment, typically backed by a computer science degree or related qualification. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, and knowledge of industry certifications such as OSCP or CEH is highly advantageous. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills help you stand out in this role. These abilities are crucial for identifying security weaknesses, effectively reporting findings, and helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

What is the difference between Graduate Penetration Tester vs Cybersecurity Analyst?

AspectGraduate Penetration TesterCybersecurity Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)CompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level roles)
Work EnvironmentHands-on security testing, simulated attacksMonitoring security systems, incident response
Industry UsageSecurity firms, consulting, internal security teamsOrganizations' security operations centers (SOCs)

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, a Graduate Penetration Tester specializes in identifying vulnerabilities through simulated attacks, requiring skills in ethical hacking. A Cybersecurity Analyst monitors and responds to security threats, focusing on defense and incident management. Both roles often share certifications like Security+ but differ in daily tasks and work environment.

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What job categories do people searching Graduate Penetration Tester jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Penetration Tester jobs are:

Graduate Penetration Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Penetration Tester job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

17D Cyber Capabilities Development Officer BOLC Instructor

CHOISYS TECHNOLOGY INC

Fort Eisenhower, GA • On-site

$44K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Description

Position Summary 

Act as a primary Instructor and Writer for the 170D/17D Cyber Capabilities Developer pipelines (WOBC, WOIC, WOAC, and BOLC-B). This role is highly technical, focusing on the engineering and creation of cyber tools. The instructor must bridge the gap between computer science theory and practical offensive/defensive tool development.

Requirements

Mandatory Qualifications 

  • Education/Certification (One of the following): 
  • Graduate of 170D WOBC or 17D BOLC-B. 
  • Certified Cyberspace Capabilities Developer (CCD) at the Basic, Senior, or Master level. 
  • Professional software development background utilizing distributed version control, 4-layer networking theory, and advanced algorithms. 
  • Technical Stack Expertise: 
  • Languages: 3+ years of expertise in C and Python (specifically for network programming). 
  • Low-Level Development: 1+ year of experience writing x86 Assembly. 
  • Systems: 2+ years of experience in OS concepts, including deep programming interactions with both Linux and Windows. 
  • Security Domain Knowledge: Demonstrated proficiency in Reverse Engineering, penetration testing techniques, and industry-standard toolsets.

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