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Penetration Tester Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amatriot Group, LLC

Penetration Tester

Rensselaer, NY · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

None Job Type: Full-Time Target Salary Range*: $90,000 - $105,000 *This represents the potential ... Key Responsibilities Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment * Conduct penetration tests ...

Phase2 Technology

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86.80 - $198/hr

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the ... Penetration Tester Key Role: Find possible vulnerabilities while using penetration testing tools ...

SkyePoint Decisions

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$95K - $112K/yr

SkyePoint Decisions is seeking a Penetration Tester to support the Diplomatic Security Cyber ... Salary Range: $95,000-$112,000 The SkyePoint Decisions salary range for this position is a general ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking an experienced Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking an experienced Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Amatriot Group, LLC

Penetration Tester

Rensselaer, NY · On-site

$90 - $105/hr

None Job Type: Full-Time Target Salary Range*: $90,000 - $105,000 *This represents the potential ... Key Responsibilities Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment * Conduct penetration tests ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking an experienced Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Amatriot Group, LLC

$90 - $105/hr

None Job Type: Full-Time Target Salary Range*: $90,000 - $105,000 *This represents the potential ... Key Responsibilities Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment * Conduct penetration tests ...

Convergence-Networks

Penetration Tester

Portland, OR · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

We offer a competitive salary with profit sharing bonuses, and a great PTO plan with 8 additional ... Penetration Testing & Security AssessmentsConduct Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) gathering and ...

Goldbelt, Inc.

Senior Penetration Tester

$90K - $150K/yr

Summary: The Senior Penetration Tester will independently perform penetration testing of ... We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an ...

Judge Group, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Beltsville, MD · On-site

$60 - $70/hr

Beltsville, MD Salary: $60.00 USD Hourly - $70.00 USD Hourly Description: The Judge Group is currently seeking a Penetration Tester with an active secret clearance to support a classified customer in ...

Fortreum

Penetration Tester

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$125 - $155/hr

Familiarity of penetration testing in cloud environments encompassing a variety of technology stacks Posted Salary Range $125,000 - $155,000 annual salary What Fortreum Offers We offer a competitive ...

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Penetration Tester Salary information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do penetration tester salary jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration tester salary 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 average salary of a penetration tester?

The average salary of a penetration tester varies depending on experience, location, and industry. In the United States, entry-level penetration testers typically earn between $60,000 and $80,000 per year, while experienced professionals can make upwards of $120,000 or more annually. Salaries may be higher in major tech hubs and for those with specialized certifications or skills. Additionally, freelance penetration testers may charge hourly or per-project rates that can be quite lucrative.

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

To thrive as a Penetration Tester, you need in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity principles, network protocols, operating systems, and commonly supported certifications like OSCP or CEH. Familiarity with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Wireshark is crucial for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help Penetration Testers explain findings and remediation strategies to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. These skills are vital for accurately assessing security risks and helping organizations protect their systems from real-world threats.

How does team collaboration typically work for penetration testers during an engagement?

Penetration testers often work as part of a small team, collaborating closely with other security professionals, project managers, and sometimes client IT staff. During an engagement, communication is key as testers coordinate attack vectors, share findings in real-time, and ensure efforts are not duplicated. Regular meetings and status updates are common, and testers may also work with developers or system administrators to clarify vulnerabilities and remediation steps. This collaborative structure helps ensure thorough coverage and comprehensive reporting for clients.

What is the difference between Penetration Tester Salary vs Cybersecurity Analyst Salary?

AspectPenetration TesterCybersecurity Analyst
Average Salary$85,000$75,000
Required CertificationsOSCP, CEHCISSP, Security+
Work EnvironmentOffensive security testing, penetration labsMonitoring, incident response, security analysis
Industry UsageCybersecurity firms, tech companies, government

While both roles require cybersecurity knowledge and certifications like CEH, penetration testers focus on offensive security testing to identify vulnerabilities, often working in labs or on client sites. Cybersecurity analysts monitor and respond to security threats, with a broader focus on defense. Salaries for penetration testers tend to be higher due to specialized offensive skills, but both roles are vital in cybersecurity teams.

Is a penetration tester a good career?

A penetration tester is a cybersecurity professional who assesses computer systems for vulnerabilities using tools like Kali Linux and techniques such as ethical hacking. The role offers high demand, competitive salaries, and opportunities for certification, making it a strong career choice for those interested in cybersecurity and problem-solving. Continuous learning and staying updated on security threats are essential for success in this field.

Is it hard to become a penetration tester?

Becoming a penetration tester requires a strong understanding of cybersecurity, networking, and programming, along with relevant certifications like OSCP or CEH. Gaining practical experience through labs, internships, or bug bounty programs is also important, making the path challenging but achievable with dedication and continuous learning.
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Penetration Tester Salary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Penetration Tester Salary job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Penetration Tester

Amatriot Group, LLC

Rensselaer, NY • On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Location: Albany, NY
Security Clearance: None
Job Type: Full-Time

Target Salary Range*: $90,000 - $105,000

*This represents the potential salary range for this position depending on education level, years of experience and/or certifications in addition to other position specific requirements which may impact salary

Position Overview

A Penetration Tester with a focus on Java application security identifies, exploits, and supports remediation of vulnerabilities in Java applications to help guard against cyber threats.

Key ResponsibilitiesPenetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment
  • Conduct penetration tests and vulnerability assessments for Java applications and infrastructure.
  • Identify security flaws in Java code using automated and manual methods.
  • Create and use custom exploits to test application security, simulating attacker tactics.
  • Manipulate URLs, query parameters, and application browser data to identify penetration avenues.
  • Validate and assess browser tokens, cache manipulation, and production versus non-production architecture.
  • Assist in responding to security incidents related to Java vulnerabilities and current published NIST CVEs.
Secure Development and Remediation Support
  • Collaborate with development teams to understand application architecture and identify security weaknesses early.
  • Collaborate with testing teams to integrate security testing with manual and automated testing.
  • Provide guidance on secure coding and vulnerability remediation.
  • Help improve secure development lifecycle processes.
  • Contribute to security policies for Java development and deployment.
Reporting, Communication, and Threat Awareness
  • Clearly document and report findings, including technical details, risk assessments, and recommended solutions.
  • Communicate findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical staff.
  • Stay updated on Java security threats and best practices.
  • Apply familiarity with the MITRE ATT&CK Framework.
QualificationsEducation
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
Experience
  • Minimum of 6 years of development or security experience. [Required]
  • Experience in penetration testing or ethical hacking with a focus on Java application security.
  • Experience with penetration testing tools such as Burp Suite and Metasploit.
  • Familiarity with Fortify on Demand SAST and DAST tools.
Skills
  • Strong knowledge of Java programming and Java security practices.
  • Scripting experience.
  • Proficiency in web application security principles, including OWASP.
  • Knowledge of common web vulnerabilities, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting, and exploit techniques.
  • Strong understanding of cryptography and secure communication protocols, including SSL/TLS.
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • High ethical standards and confidentiality.
  • Familiarity with the MITRE ATT&CK Framework.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Certifications such as OSCP, GWAPT, GXPN, GPEN, LPT, CEH, CISSP, or other industry security certifications.
  • Experience with scripting languages, such as Python or Bash.
  • Experience with secure code review for Java.
  • Familiarity with cloud security testing.
  • Experience with mobile application penetration testing.
  • Knowledge of regulations such as HIPAA.
  • Experience with API testing.

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