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Junior Penetration Testing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Peraton

Penetration Tester / Active Secret

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

... Testing Guide (WTG), etc. * Demonstrated ability to lead a penetration test and guide Senior/Junior Penetration Testers. * U.S. citizenship required. * An active Secret security clearance. * Must ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester / Active Secret

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

... Testing Guide (WTG), etc. * Demonstrated ability to lead a penetration test and guide Senior/Junior Penetration Testers. * U.S. citizenship required. * An active Secret security clearance. * Must ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Conduct testing and analysis to identify vulnerabilities and potential threat vectors in systems ... CPTS), eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (EJPT), GIAC Global Information Assurance ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Conduct testing and analysis to identify vulnerabilities and potential threat vectors in systems ... CPTS), eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (EJPT), GIAC Global Information Assurance ...

Jobtailor

Penetration Tester

Virginia, MN · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Strong ability to mentor junior team members and maintain positive customer relationships throughout engagements. Highest-signal resume keywords * Penetration Testing * Web Application Testing

New

Jobtailor

Senior Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Provide mentoring to junior staff * Support Red Team operations * Develop and refine penetration testing methodologies, tools, and techniques * Advise customers on details of vulnerabilities ...

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Junior Penetration Testing information

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How much do junior penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior penetration testing in the United States is $71,799.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior penetration tester?

Junior Penetration Testers are entry-level cybersecurity professionals who assist in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. They work under the guidance of experienced penetration testers to conduct security assessments, perform vulnerability scans, and document findings. Their main goal is to help organizations strengthen their security by simulating real-world attacks and providing recommendations for remediation. Junior Penetration Testers often use a variety of tools and follow industry best practices to ensure thorough testing. This role is crucial for organizations looking to protect sensitive data and maintain robust security defenses.

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

To thrive as a Junior Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of networking, operating systems, cybersecurity fundamentals, and preferably a relevant degree or certification such as CompTIA Security+ or CEH. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Kali Linux is typically required to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication help you convey technical findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. These skills and qualifications are essential to effectively assess security risks and support organizations in strengthening their defenses against cyber threats.

What are some common challenges a junior penetration tester might face during client engagements, and how can they overcome them?

Junior Penetration Testers often encounter challenges such as limited access to systems, incomplete documentation, or unclear testing scopes during client engagements. Communication is key—regularly clarifying objectives with clients and senior team members helps ensure the testing process stays on track. Additionally, adapting quickly to diverse IT environments and staying current with the latest security tools and techniques are essential. Seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues and leveraging collaborative team structures can greatly enhance learning and confidence in overcoming these hurdles.

What is the difference between Junior Penetration Testing vs Security Analyst?

AspectJunior Penetration TestingSecurity Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH (entry-level)CompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level)
Work EnvironmentHands-on testing, simulated attacksMonitoring, incident response, policy development
Employer UsageCybersecurity firms, IT departmentsOrganizations, government agencies, corporations

Junior Penetration Testers focus on identifying vulnerabilities through simulated attacks, requiring technical certifications like OSCP or CEH. Security Analysts monitor security systems, analyze threats, and develop security policies, often holding certifications like Security+ or CISSP. While both roles are vital in cybersecurity, Junior Penetration Testers are more hands-on with testing, whereas Security Analysts focus on ongoing security monitoring and response.

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Junior Penetration Testing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Penetration Testing job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $71,799 per year, or $34.5 per hour.

Penetration Tester - Cyber Engineer

CACI International, Inc.

Aberdeen, MD • On-site

$189K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 hours ago

Job description

Job Title: Penetration Tester - Cyber Engineer
Job Category: Engineering
Time Type: Full time
Minimum Clearance Required to Start: Secret
Employee Type: Regular
Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 25%
Type of Travel: Continental US
* * *
The Opportunity:
Join Our Dynamic Team of Penetration Testers! Embark on an exhilarating journey with us as you join a vibrant team dedicated to solving intricate, multi-disciplinary challenges across various fields. This is your chance to apply your expertise to groundbreaking problems and dive into new, fascinating topics. You'll not only enhance your skills but also play a crucial role in developing innovative solutions to complex issues.
* These positions are 100% on site on-site in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.
Responsibilities:
Become part of an exceptional team of engineers from diverse backgrounds, all united by a passion for tackling real-world problems. As a junior penetration tester, you'll be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, working hands-on with the latest electronics. Your role will involve performing in-depth assessments and analyses of sophisticated systems using penetration testing and threat-hunting techniques.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Active Secret Clearance with the potential to obtain TS/SCI
- Bachelor's degree in a related field and 5 years of relevant experience
- Professional experience in penetration testing or threat hunting
- Proven ability experience in grey and black box penetration testing
- In-depth understanding of OWASP Top 10, DoD, NSA, or industry-standard Vulnerability and- Penetration Testing Standards
- Proficiency with popular penetration testing tools such as nmap, Wireshark, Burp Suite, Nessus, and similar utilities
- Extensive knowledge of Linux operating systems
- Expertise in exploitation techniques including buffer overflows, fuzzing, SQL injection, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, covert channels, secure tunneling, XSS, privilege escalation, and lateral movement
- Strong grasp of networking, TCP/IP, virtualization, and web services
- Familiarity of interfacing with electronic hardware (e.g. taking apart devices and identifying hardware components)
- Minimum of 2-3 years of exploitation experience
Desired:
- Active TS/SCI
- Certifications such as OSCP, OSCE, GPEN, GWAPT, GXPN, CEH, or CISSP
- Experience in malware analysis or digital computer forensics
- Scripting skills in Bash, Python, Perl, or Ruby
- Systems programming experience
- Keen interest in emerging penetration testing technologies and techniques
- Familiarity with Android operating systems
- Knowledge of UAS/UXS technologies
- Understanding of radios and radio protocols
- Experience analyzing embedded devices
- Development and presentation of proof-of-concepts to demonstrate exploitation techniques
What You Can Expect:
A culture of integrity.
At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you'll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer's missions and driven by a higher purpose - to ensure the safety of our nation.
An environment of trust.
CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You'll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.
A focus on continuous growth.
Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground - in your career and in our legacy.
Pay Range:
There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
The proposed salary range for this position is:
$90,300 - 189,600 USD
CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.

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