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Penetration Testing Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Performs application and network penetration testing and wireless security assessments. * Applies ... We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an ...

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$95K - $112K/yr

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary Range: $95,000-$112,000 The SkyePoint Decisions salary range for this position is a general ...

Performs application and network penetration testing and wireless security assessments. * Applies ... We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an ...

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary Range: $95,000-$112,000 The SkyePoint Decisions salary range for this position is a general ...

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Performs application and network penetration testing and wireless security assessments. * Applies ... We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an ...

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

Penetration Tester Washington DC Metro Area Dark Wolf is actively seeking an experienced ... pen testing certifications The salary range for this position is $130,000.00 - $145,000.00 ...

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Penetration Testing Salary information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do penetration testing salary jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration testing 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 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 a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, networking, ethical hacking methodologies, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Mastery of tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and knowledge of operating systems like Linux, as well as certifications like OSCP or CEH, are highly valued. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for translating technical findings into actionable recommendations. These abilities are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, safeguarding organizations, and clearly conveying risks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What is the difference between Penetration Testing Salary vs Vulnerability Analyst Salary?

AspectPenetration Testing SalaryVulnerability Analyst Salary
Required CredentialsCertifications like OSCP, CEH, GPENCertifications like CISSP, GIAC, CEH
Work EnvironmentEngages in simulated attacks, penetration testsIdentifies and reports security vulnerabilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by security firms, IT departments, consultingUsed by security teams, risk management, compliance

Penetration Testing Salary and Vulnerability Analyst Salary share similar credentials and work environments but differ in focus. Penetration testers actively exploit vulnerabilities, while vulnerability analysts identify and assess them. Both roles are vital in cybersecurity and often overlap in skills and certifications.

What is the average salary for a penetration tester?

The average salary for a penetration tester varies depending on experience, location, and industry. In the United States, entry-level penetration testers typically earn between $60,000 and $85,000 per year, while more experienced professionals can make $100,000 to $130,000 or more. Senior-level penetration testers and those with specialized certifications may command even higher salaries. Factors such as certifications, technical skills, and the size of the employer also play a significant role in compensation.

What are some common career advancement paths for professionals in penetration testing?

Professionals in penetration testing often advance by specializing in areas such as application security, red teaming, or cloud security, or by moving into leadership roles like security consultant, security architect, or team lead. Many also pursue certifications (such as OSCP or CISSP) to open up higher-level positions. Additionally, experienced penetration testers may transition into roles focused on security strategy, incident response, or even training and mentoring new testers. Career progression typically depends on a mix of technical expertise, hands-on experience, and ongoing learning.
More about Penetration Testing Salary jobs
What cities are hiring for Penetration Testing Salary jobs? Cities with the most Penetration Testing Salary job openings:
What states have the most Penetration Testing Salary jobs? States with the most job openings for Penetration Testing Salary jobs include:
Infographic showing various Penetration Testing Salary job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.
Penetration Tester

$86K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Peraton rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 204 rated it services


Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking an experienced Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of Peratons' Federal Strategic Cyber programs. 

Location: Northern VA; Hybrid - flex as long as person can come on-site as/when needed. 

In this role, you will:

  • Support the Red Cell Team by performing and leading penetration tests to assess the security of customer systems.
  • Identify vulnerabilities and develop recommended remediations to satisfy mandated NIST 800-53 security controls.
  • Report and demonstrate findings to system owners and engineers.
  • Maintain Red Cell infrastructure.
  • Develop or modify tools to automate discovery or exploitation.
Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science and 5 years of relevant experience in Cyber/IT, or a Master's of Science and 3 years of relevant experience in Cyber/IT. In lieu of a degree, 4 years of additional IT security or penetration testing experience may be considered.
  • Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. 
  • Possess one of the following certifications, OR be able to obtain before start date:
    • CCNA Cyber Ops, CCNA-Security, CEH, CFR, Cloud+, CySA+, GCIA, GCIH, GICSP, SCYBER, Security+ CE, SSCP
  • Demonstrated experience with Kali Linux.
  • Demonstrated penetration testing tools experience with Nmap, Burp Suite, Metasploit, etc.
  • Demonstrated ability in evaluating vulnerabilities, performing root cause analysis, and reporting findings utilizing assessment methodologies such as NIST SP 800-115, Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF), OWASP Web Security 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 have the ability to obtain a final Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred:

  • Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance.
  • One of the following certifications or an alternate, verifiable certification demonstrating IT security competence:
    • CompTIA CASP+
    • ISC2 Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP)
    • ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
    • ISC2 Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP)
  • One of the following certifications or an alternate, verifiable certification demonstrating practical penetration testing competence:
    • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
    • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
    • Hack the Box Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS)
    • TCM Security Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT)
    • GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN)
    • Zero Point Security Red Team Ops II
  • Advanced understanding of the following:
    • NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) and the Assessment and Authorization (A&A) process.
    • Security principles such as CIA, IAAAA, access control models, risk management, etc.
    • Networking principles and technologies such as IP routing, TCP/UDP, VPNs, firewalls, NAT, etc.
    • Common network protocols such as SSH, FTP, SMTP, SMB, HTTP, etc.
    • Operating system principles such as process management, device management, user management, file systems, etc.
    • Data processing principles such as encoding, hashing, encryption, etc.
    • Scripting and programming languages such as Bash, Python, PowerShell, JavaScript, etc.
    • Common application vulnerabilities and exploits such as outdated components,
    • permissions misconfigurations, lack of input validation, logging/monitoring failures, etc.
    • Common web application vulnerabilities and exploits such as XSS, SQLi, LFI, file uploads, broken authentication mechanisms, etc.
    • Active Directory (AD) enumeration and attacks such as kerberoasting, AS-REP roasting, abusing misconfigured privileges, crafting golden tickets, etc.
    • Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and navigating IT environments implementing multifactor authentication.
    • Cloud technologies and platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), etc.
Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$86,000 - $138,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017