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Graduate Penetration Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Citadel

Director, Member Marketing

Exton, PA

Lead testing and optimization efforts to improve engagement, satisfaction, and product penetration ... post graduate studies a plus). * 7-10+ years of experience in performance, lifecycle, or CRM ...

Point Loma Nazarene University

$34.03 - $36.06/hr

... undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant ... penetration testing, cyber threat intelligence, IT risk management, or vendor security assessment

Citadel

Director, Member Marketing

Exton, PA · On-site

Lead testing and optimization efforts to improve engagement, satisfaction, and product penetration ... post graduate studies a plus). * 7-10+ years of experience in performance, lifecycle, or CRM ...

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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 Jul 4, 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 are graduate penetration testers?

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, and why are they important?

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.

More about Graduate Penetration Tester jobs
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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Full Time, and 91% Part Time. Highlights an 83% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Exploitation Analyst (EA) with Security Clearance

The Swift Group

Annapolis Junction, MD • On-site

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

For the OPS Consulting team, 'the power to help' means helping our clients, helping serve the mission, helping our employees and their families, and helping the community. Headquartered in Hanover, MD. OPS Consulting has over two decades of experience specializing in the most mission-critical operations. We are thought leaders and innovators. The ingenuity of our developers, engineers, cyber experts, linguists, and analysts are dedicated to empowering our clients, fulfilling The Mission, and remaining trusted leaders and advisers in national security and technology solutions. We are seeking Exploitation Analysts (EA) to join a growing team supporting mission-focused work in locations including Annapolis Junction, MD, Honolulu, HI, Bluffdale, UT, Dayton, OH, Denver, CO and San Antonio, TX. Responsibilities: * Apply understanding of adversary networks, network defenses, and cyber operational capabilities to support exploitation planning and operational execution.
  • Analyze cyber and network data to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate operational opportunities, and support mission objectives.
  • Develop exploitation plans and adapt operational approaches as mission requirements evolve.
  • Support cyber operations through network analysis, vulnerability analysis, operational planning, and exploitation-focused activities.
Analyze network traffic, systems, and communications data to support cyber operational objectives. Requirements: Experience in computer or information systems design, development, and/or analysis roles.
  • Experience may include hardware/software engineering, programming, computer or network security, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, information assurance, systems engineering, and/or network and systems administration.
  • Experience applying cyber operational knowledge to adversary networks, network defenses, and operational capabilities.
  • Understanding of network protocols, cybersecurity concepts, and cyber operational environments.
  • Completion of military cyber training such as JCAC may count toward relevant experience requirements.
  • Foreign language proficiency may be considered toward experience requirements where applicable. Recent ILR scores are required to substantiate language proficiency.
  • Degree in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field such as: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Information Assurance, Computer Security
  • 18 semester hours of military training/coursework in networking, computer science, or cyber topics may be considered equivalent to an Associate's degree.
Level 1 * Associate's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience OR
  • Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience
Level 2 * Associate's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience OR
  • Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience OR
  • Master's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience OR
  • Doctorate plus 2 years of relevant experience
Level 3 * Associate's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience OR
  • Bachelor's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience OR
  • Master's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience OR
  • Doctorate plus 4 years of relevant experience
Level 4 * Associate's degree plus 13 years of relevant experience OR
  • Bachelor's degree plus 11 years of relevant experience OR
  • Master's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience OR
  • Doctorate plus 7 years of relevant experience
US citizenship and an active TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance required Desired Experience: Relevant certifications and training may include: Security+
  • Network+
  • CEH
  • JCAC graduate

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