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Penetration Tester Contract Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SOSi

Penetration Tester III

Washington, DC · On-site

Overview SOSi is seeking a Penetration Tester III to support proactive cyber defense activities in ... May be requested to work evenings and weekends to meet program and contract needs. Working at SOSi ...

Goldbelt, Inc.

Senior Penetration Tester

$90K - $150K/yr

Overview Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful award of a contract ... Summary: The Senior Penetration Tester will independently perform penetration testing of ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site +1

$86K - $198K/yr

Share Penetration Tester The Opportunity: Conduct testing and analysis to identify vulnerabilities ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

Penetration Tester LOCATION Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA

$86K - $198K/yr

Penetration Tester The Opportunity: Conduct testing and analysis to identify vulnerabilities and ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

LV8D Solutions

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

The role of Penetration Tester (Pen Tester)* is a security professional who reviews and evaluates ... This position is dependent on a contract seat being awarded. About LV8D Solutions LV8D Solutions is ...

LV8D Solutions

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

The role of Penetration Tester (Pen Tester)* is a security professional who reviews and evaluates ... This position is dependent on a contract seat being awarded. About LV8D Solutions LV8D Solutions is ...

Foxhole Technology

Senior Penetration Tester

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

... awarded contract. The ideal candidate will have experience working in a network security ... Ensure all staff are trained and knowledgeable of the penetration testing tools and in the ability ...

CACI International, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$113K - $237K/yr

Penetration Tester Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester II

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$60K - $180K/yr

M9 Solutions is seeking a Penetration Tester II to work on-site in support of a government contract for a client located in Chandler, AZ or Washington, DC . An active Secret clearance is required.

Peraton

Penetration Tester / Secret

Washington, DC · On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is currently seeking to hire an experienced Penetration Tester for its ... and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester III

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$60K - $180K/yr

M9 Solutions is seeking a Penetration Tester III to work on-site in support of a government contract for a client located in Chandler, AZ or Washington, DC . An active Secret clearance is required.

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester III

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$60K - $180K/yr

M9 Solutions is seeking a Penetration Tester III to work on-site in support of a government contract for a client located in Chandler, AZ or Washington, DC . An active Secret clearance is required.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPenetration Tester Contract Jobs

Penetration Tester Contract information

See salary details

$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do penetration tester contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration tester contract 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 the difference between Penetration Tester Contract vs Penetration Tester Full-Time?

AspectPenetration Tester ContractPenetration Tester Full-Time
CredentialsCertifications like OSCP, CEH often requiredSame certifications typically required
Work EnvironmentProject-based, temporary assignmentsPermanent employment, ongoing projects
Employer & Industry UsageConsulting firms, cybersecurity agenciesIn-house security teams, corporations
Search & Comparison IntentFreelance opportunities, short-term rolesLong-term career, stability

In summary, Penetration Tester Contract roles are project-based and often involve short-term assignments with consulting firms, while Penetration Tester Full-Time positions offer permanent employment within organizations. Both roles typically require similar certifications and skills, but differ mainly in employment type and work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by penetration testers working on a contract basis?

Contract penetration testers often encounter challenges such as limited access to internal information, the need to quickly understand a client's environment, and tight project deadlines. They must adapt rapidly to different security policies and toolsets with each new engagement, while maintaining clear communication with diverse client teams. Building trust and delivering concise, actionable reports within the contract timeframe are essential for success and future opportunities.

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

To thrive as a Penetration Tester Contractor, you need a strong understanding of network security, vulnerability assessment, and ethical hacking, typically backed by a degree in computer science or cybersecurity and relevant certifications like OSCP or CEH. Familiarity with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap, as well as experience with various operating systems, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective client communication are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate identification of security gaps and clear reporting, helping organizations effectively strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

What is a penetration tester contract?

A Penetration Tester Contract is a temporary or project-based agreement where a cybersecurity professional is hired to simulate cyberattacks on an organization’s systems, networks, or applications. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities and security weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them. Contractors typically deliver detailed reports on their findings and recommend remediation steps. These contracts can vary in length and scope depending on the organization's needs and the complexity of the systems being tested.

What does a penetration tester contract do?

A contract penetration tester assesses the effectiveness of security for a computer network, website, software, or application. You perform your duties on a contract basis and work with various clients. A penetration tester finds, defines, and tries to exploit a vulnerability in their client’s cybersecurity system. In this career, your responsibilities not only include hacking into your client’s network or system, but also reporting on the potential vulnerability and helping the client improve their practices so that they can protect themselves against such a cyber threat when an actual hacker tries to penetrate their defenses.

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Penetration Tester Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Penetration Tester Contract job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. 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.

Penetration Tester III

SOSi

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Founded in 1989, SOSi is among the largest private, founder-owned technology and services integrators in the defense and government services industry. We deliver tailored solutions, tested leadership, and trusted results to enable national security missions worldwide.
Job Description
Overview
SOSi is seeking a Penetration Tester III to support proactive cyber defense activities in alignment with our customer. This role is responsible for conducting penetration testing and red team activities, assessing security posture across enterprise environments, and supporting identification, validation, and reporting of vulnerabilities to improve cyber defense resilience.
Responsibilities
• Conduct penetration testing across enterprise systems, applications, and network environments
• Perform red team activities to evaluate security controls and identify exploitable weaknesses
• Support continuous penetration testing activities to assess evolving threats and vulnerabilities
• Conduct testing of IoT, mobile, and cloud environments
• Support High Value Asset (HVA) security assessments
• Apply testing methodologies and frameworks including MITRE ATT&CK, OSSTMM, OWASP, NIST, PTES, and ISSAF
• Identify, document, validate, and report vulnerabilities and recommended remediation actions
• Support cyber defense operations through coordination with security engineering, vulnerability management, and incident response teams
Qualifications
  • Experience:
    • Five (5) to seven (7) years of penetration testing experience
    • Management or team lead experience
    • Experience performing continuous penetration testing
    • Experience conducting red team operations
    • Experience performing IoT, mobile, and cloud penetration testing
    • Experience supporting High Value Asset (HVA) assessments
    • Experience applying MITRE ATT&CK, OSSTMM, OWASP, NIST, PTES, and ISSAF methodologies
  • Education:
    • Bachelor's Degree
  • Certifications:
    Required:
    • GPEN or GXPN
    • CISA AES HVA Lead or Technical Lead, or ability to obtain
      • Plus one of the following:
      • GRTP
      • CRTL
      • OSCP
      • CRTP
      • CMWAPT
      • CEPT
      • CPT
      • LPT
  • Clearance/Suitability: Secret (active)

Additional Information
Work Environment
  • Normal office conditions with potential to perform duties in deployed locations.
  • Core hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 0600 - 1700.
  • May be requested to work evenings and weekends to meet program and contract needs.

Working at SOSi
All interested individuals will receive consideration and will not be discriminated against for any reason.

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