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Hacker Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

CYNET SYSTEMS

Mid-Level Cybersecurity Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$68/hr

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Upon Hire Required. * Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Upon Hire Required. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in the Washington, DC metro area, Cynet Systems ...

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

The ideal candidate is passionate about ethical hacking, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to contribute to protecting critical assets through innovative security testing techniques.

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Tysons, VA · On-site

The ideal candidate is passionate about ethical hacking, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to contribute to protecting critical assets through innovative security testing techniques.

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

The ideal candidate is passionate about ethical hacking, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to contribute to protecting critical assets through innovative security testing techniques.

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Reston, VA · On-site

The ideal candidate is passionate about ethical hacking, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to contribute to protecting critical assets through innovative security testing techniques.

Beyond SOF

Counter-Penetration Officer

Washington, DC · On-site

Stay updated on the latest hacking techniques and security tools. Provide training and awareness programs for employees. Conduct penetration testing on quantum computing systems to identify ...

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Hacker information

See Washington salary details

$19.3K

$91.5K

$178.8K

How much do hacker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for hacker in Washington is $91,460.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,683.00 and $125,618.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do hackers get paid well?

Hackers, particularly ethical or cybersecurity professionals, can earn competitive salaries depending on their skills, experience, and certifications. Salaries for cybersecurity roles often range from moderate to high, especially for those with expertise in penetration testing, network security, or advanced tools. However, illegal hacking activities typically do not result in legitimate income and can lead to legal consequences.

What is a hacker?

A hacker is an individual who uses technical knowledge and computer skills to gain unauthorized access to systems or networks, often by bypassing security measures. Hackers can have various motivations, from curiosity and learning to malicious intent such as stealing data or causing harm. While the term 'hacker' is often associated with cybercriminals, it can also refer to ethical hackers who help organizations identify and fix security vulnerabilities. The cybersecurity industry distinguishes between 'white-hat' (ethical), 'black-hat' (malicious), and 'gray-hat' (mixed intent) hackers. Understanding these distinctions is important for recognizing the different roles hackers play in the digital world.

What are some common challenges ethical hackers face when conducting penetration tests for organizations?

Ethical hackers, also known as penetration testers, often encounter challenges such as limited timeframes to complete thorough assessments, navigating complex and constantly evolving IT environments, and ensuring clear communication with stakeholders who may not be familiar with technical jargon. Additionally, they must carefully document their findings and work within legal and ethical boundaries to avoid disrupting business operations. Collaboration with IT teams is essential to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed effectively and recommendations are implemented.

What is the difference between Hacker vs Penetration Tester?

AspectHackerPenetration Tester
CredentialsMay have certifications like CEH, OSCP, but not alwaysOften holds certifications like CEH, OSCP, CISSP
Work EnvironmentCan be employed or freelance, sometimes in illegal activitiesLegally employed or contracted to test security
Industry UsageUsed broadly, including malicious and ethical contextsPrimarily in cybersecurity and IT security sectors

While both hackers and penetration testers possess technical skills to identify vulnerabilities, hackers may operate illegally or ethically, whereas penetration testers work within legal boundaries to improve security.

What jobs are there for hackers?

Hackers can pursue careers such as cybersecurity analyst, penetration tester, security consultant, or ethical hacker. These roles involve identifying vulnerabilities, testing security systems, and protecting organizations from cyber threats, often requiring knowledge of tools like Kali Linux and certifications such as CEH or CISSP.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hacker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hacker (ethical or cybersecurity specialist), you need a deep understanding of computer networks, programming languages, operating systems, and security protocols, often supported by relevant IT or cybersecurity certifications. Familiarity with tools such as Kali Linux, Metasploit, Wireshark, and vulnerability scanners is typically required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and discretion are essential soft skills that set top professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualities are vital to effectively identify vulnerabilities, protect systems, and ensure organizational security in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

What is a hacker?

A hacker is an accomplished computer user who utilizes their technical skills to solve problems in computing. The term “hacker” has become associated with security hacking, which is the practice of using bugs or other types of technical attacks to circumvent computer security and break into computer systems. Not all hackers, however, break into systems for their own gain. White hat or ethical hackers use their skills to get around security in order to demonstrate problems in security to systems operators. The term “hacking” is also used outside of computer and IT contexts and refers to experimenting with new methods or ideas.

More about Hacker jobs
What are popular job titles related to Hacker jobs in Washington? For Hacker jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Hacker jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Hacker jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Hacker jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Hacker job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Hacker jobs in WA? For Hacker jobs in WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Hacker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hacker job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 66% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 32% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,460 per year, or $44 per hour.

Ethical Hacker/Cyber Hunt Specialist (Senior)

Clear Ridge Defense

Fort George G Meade, MD • On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Clear Ridge Defense is looking for a TS/SCI w/poly cleared professional to serve as our Senior Ethical Hacker/Cyber Hunt Specialist in the Ft. Meade area.
Roles and Responsibilities
You will...
  • Design, build, and execute Red Team / OPFOR actions/operations in cyber range environments
  • Develop and adapt adversary emulation techniques aligned to exercise scenarios and objectives
  • Support full lifecycle range execution: planning, build, execution, validation, and after-action review (AAR)
  • Collaborate closely with Blue Team / defensive stakeholders to enhance training realism and learning outcomes
  • Develop and maintain tooling, tradecraft, and automation to support repeatable operations
  • Contribute to OPAL-style mission packages, scenarios, and technical injects
  • Participate in exercise debriefs and continuously improve tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)

Must-Haves
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills
  • A Top Secret / SCI clearance with polygraph
  • Five or more (5+) years of relevant experience in the Cyber Mission Force (CMF), either working directly or in-support to cyber operations
  • A bachelor's degree in a ComputerScience/IT/engineering related field, or, hold accredited certifications (e.g., OSCP, OSEP, PNPT, GPEN)
  • Experience with Cobalt Strike, Metasploit, PoshC2, and/or Mythic
  • An ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic workplace with unique TTPs

Nice-To-Haves
  • Leadership experience
  • Cyber exercise support experience
  • Cyber threat emulation experience

Additional Information
Ranking #5 in Maryland and #7 in Government Services! And see how we were ranked a 2025 Top Workplace by the Baltimore Sun!
Clear Ridge Defense is the premier service solutions provider supporting the Service and Joint cyberspace operations and intelligence community in three core areas of expertise:
  • Cyber Systems & Software Engineering
  • Cyber Intelligence & Operations Planning
  • Security Risk Analysis, Mitigation & Training

All delivered by highly talented and focused team members that are supported by an unmatched professional and family-oriented culture that leverages and builds on sound, proven principles.
Benefits Snapshot:
  • 100% Fully-Covered Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 100% Fully-Covered Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • 100% Fully-Covered Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Unique Flexible PTO
  • 11 Paid Federal Holidays
  • $500 New Uniform Bonus for Transitioning Military
  • Monthly Tax-Free Cell Phone Stipend
  • Monthly Tax-Free Gym Wellness / Streaming Subscription Stipend to include Amazon Prime, Netflix, Audible, etc.
  • Competitive 401k Matching to plan for retirement
  • Free financial advising from qualified experts
  • Annual $5,000 Training Allotment
  • One-of-a-kind Referral Program:$250/mo indefinitely per successful referral, with no limit to number of referrals
  • Business Development and Client Expansion Bonuses
  • Monthly Company-Paid Socials and Events
  • Access to our Company Swag Store

CRD fully supports Maryland's Equal Pay for Equal Work - Wage Range Transparency law, which mandates employers to provide detailed wage and benefits information in all job postings. The salary range for this position is:
$130,000 - $190,000/ year
Salary ranges provided are subject to the following variables and circumstances, which may impact whether the actual paid salary falls within the range:
  • The contract the employee is assigned to support. For example, this advertised position may support multiple contracts.
  • The negotiated rates between CRD and our client.
  • The option year of the contract the employee is assigned to.
  • Annual performance of the employee and/or the company.
  • If the employee takes on additional company responsibilities.
  • If the company makes a strategic hiring decision (e.g., investment in the employee) for growth opportunities.
  • If the employee does not meet the qualifications fully but a waiver is provided by CRD or our clients.
  • If the employee is assigned a lower-level labor category due to external circumstances than they actually qualify for.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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