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Penetration Tester Part Time Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Share Penetration Tester The Opportunity : Conduct testing and analysis to identify vulnerabilities ... Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible ...

InstantServe LLC

Senior GIS Full Stack Developer

Remote (Part-Time) Required Skills: • Angular • HTML5, SCSS • Node.js • REST API ... Penetration Testing / Application Security • Experience with environmental, agricultural, or ...

Weekday AI

Cybersecurity SWE - AI Safety

$60 - $90/hr

... penetration testing, vulnerability research, or related areas. * Experience reviewing, grading, or red-teaming technical content. Project Timeline * Start date: Immediate * Commitment: Part-time (15 ...

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Penetration Tester Part Time information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do penetration tester part time jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration tester part time 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.

Will pentesters be replaced by AI?

Penetration testers perform manual security assessments that require critical thinking, creativity, and understanding of complex systems, which AI currently cannot fully replicate. While AI tools can assist in automating vulnerability scanning and analysis, human expertise remains essential for identifying sophisticated threats and designing effective security strategies.

What Does a Part-Time Penetration Tester Do?

Part-time penetration testers evaluate the security of a computer network, website, application, database, or another type of computer system by attempting to breach the network. Unlike full-time employees, part-time penetration testers work thirty hours or less per week. In this role, you assess vulnerabilities in computer systems by attempting to hack into the network using the same techniques as a cyber hacker, and then you report on your findings to your client or employer. You also help respond to a known network threat or security breach. You may work on the staff of a technology firm or within a company's IT department, or you may be an independent contractor who works with many different clients.

Is there a shortage of penetration testers?

There is a high demand for penetration testers due to increasing cybersecurity threats, and the role often requires skills in network security, scripting, and vulnerability assessment. While shortages exist in some regions and specialties, the job market for part-time penetration testers remains competitive with many opportunities for qualified professionals.

How much do freelance penetration testers make?

Freelance penetration testers typically earn between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and project complexity. Annual income can vary widely, often ranging from $50,000 to over $150,000 for experienced professionals working on high-demand projects or with specialized skills.

What are part-time penetration testers?

Part-time penetration testers are cybersecurity professionals who work on a flexible or reduced-hour schedule to assess the security of computer systems, networks, or applications. Their primary role is to simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. Part-time penetration testers may be hired by organizations on a project basis or as freelance consultants, and they typically perform tasks such as vulnerability scanning, exploitation, and reporting. This flexible arrangement is ideal for those seeking work-life balance or supplementing their income while gaining experience in the cybersecurity field.

What is the difference between Penetration Tester Part Time vs Security Analyst Part Time?

AspectPenetration Tester Part TimeSecurity Analyst Part Time
CertificationsOSCP, CEHCompTIA Security+, CISSP (preferred)
Work EnvironmentEngages in simulated attacks, testing security systemsMonitors security alerts, analyzes threats
Industry UsageUsed in cybersecurity firms, consulting, internal security teamsCommon in corporate IT departments, government agencies

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, Penetration Testers Part Time actively identify vulnerabilities through simulated attacks, requiring technical certifications like OSCP or CEH. Security Analysts Part Time monitor and analyze security events, often holding certifications like Security+ or CISSP. The roles differ in daily tasks but complement each other in maintaining organizational security.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Penetration Tester (Part Time), and why are they important?

To thrive as a Penetration Tester (Part Time), you need a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, network protocols, and common attack vectors, typically supported by a degree in computer science or relevant certifications like CEH or OSCP. Familiarity with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap, as well as secure coding practices, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication skills set candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, accurately reporting findings, and helping organizations strengthen their security posture.

Is 30 too late for cyber security?

Age is not a barrier to becoming a penetration tester; many professionals start or transition into cybersecurity careers later in life. Success depends on acquiring relevant skills, certifications like CEH or OSCP, and practical experience, which can be achieved at any age with dedication.

What are some common challenges faced by part-time penetration testers, and how can they effectively manage their workload?

Part-time penetration testers often face challenges such as balancing multiple client projects, staying updated on the latest security threats, and managing tight deadlines. Since the work may be project-based or on-call, strong time management and clear communication with clients and team members are essential. Leveraging automation tools and maintaining organized documentation can help streamline assessments and ensure high-quality results, even with limited hours. Additionally, networking with other security professionals and prioritizing continuous learning are key to staying effective in this dynamic field.
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Penetration Tester Part Time jobs near you
Infographic showing various Penetration Tester Part Time job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 54% In-person, and 46% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.
Penetration Tester (Part Time & Remote)

Penetration Tester (Part Time & Remote)

TestPros

Sterling, VA • Remote

Part-time

Posted 16 days ago

Be an early applicant

Job description

TestPros delivers innovative independent IT assessment solutions to critical challenges facing the nation and the world.  We support the U.S. Federal Government and Commercial clients within the continental USA. TestPros is dedicated to making lives better, safer and more secure.
TestPros is looking for an experienced Penetration Testers to support our IT Security consulting work for various Commercial and Federal consulting services projects.  
Start: Future projects late 2026 or 2027 (not an immediate job opening) 
Type: Part-time consulting
Overview
This role is responsible for the successful delivery of penetration testing in both classic hosted and also in cloud hosted environments.  In this role, the selected candidate will work with our client’s product development teams to plan for, execute, and report on the results of penetration testing. You must be delivery and efficiency focused, with the ability to manage all aspects of a consulting project to include requirements analysis, bid and proposal development, resource planning, process improvement, and customer relationship management.  The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment where personal responsibility and open, direct, respectful communications are highly valued. 
Responsibilities: ​​​

  • Conduct complete penetration tests, report on results, and provide improvement recommendations
  • Ensure customer satisfaction through the delivery of high-quality consulting services across a portfolio of commercial and federal government projects
  • Ability to elicit and understand customer requirements and covert those requirements into a technical services solution
  • Ability to accurately estimate time and cost for each project
  • Foster an environment of continuous learning, innovation and excellence 
  • Work closely with development teams, product managers, and customer success teams to ensure successful delivery of consulting services or product implementation projects and remove roadblocks 
  • Develop, review and approve formal statements of work, change requests, and proposals 
  • Formulate timely reports and documentation to track progress 
  • Effectively collaborate with peers and company leadership to accomplish team, corporate and client objectives 
  • Answer developer, designer, and content contributor questions about IT Security requirements.  
Experience Requirements: 
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in penetration testing
  • Desired certifications – Security+, CEH, GPEN, OSCP, AWS, or equivalent
  • Understanding of OWASP Top 10 and “industry best practices” for penetration testing
  • Understanding of all aspects of Penetration Testing with an emphasis on white box testing, black box testing, internal networks, external networks, web applications, and application/code review
  • Understanding of Pen Test methods such as Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM), Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), FedRAMP Penetration Test Guide, NIST, etc.
  • Proficient with the command line interface of multiple operating systems – Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.
  • Solid understanding of manual scripting and scripting languages- ex. Python, Bash, PowerShell, C/C++, etc.
  • Proficient with using commercial and open source penetration testing tools – ex. Metasploit, Nikto, SQLMAP, Responder, Nessus, Netcat, Burp Suite, etc.
  • Conduct and document vulnerability scans and penetration testing on web-based applications and their underlying hosts
  • Proven ability to perform computer network vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
  • Understanding of risk planning and mitigation strategies
  • Ability to prepare and present documents and briefing materials
  • Advise on new threats to the technologies and environment and provide mitigation steps when applicable
  • Provide security guidance on design, deployment, and architecture of web-based and cloud hosted applications.
  • Participate in technical discussions and collaborate with team members
  • Exceptional communication skills - both orally and written
  • Strong customer service skills
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks at once, while still paying attention to detail 
  • A strong work ethic and self-starter attitude, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment 
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience and advance

Rate: $50-85/hr (1099 or Corp. To Corp.). This range represents a good-faith estimate and is not a guarantee; final compensation is determined by factors such as experience, qualifications, and government contract labor rate requirements and may fall outside the stated range. 
Equal Opportunity Employer
TestPros is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.
Offer Considerations
TestPros considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.
Federal Compliance
As a federal contractor, TestPros is subject to all federal and state mandates and/or other customer requirements.

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