ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Penetration Testing Salary Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Booz Allen Hamilton

Application Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$62K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform web application security testing, network penetration testing, and cloud penetration ... Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the ...

Doist

Cleared Senior Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

$165 - $185/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Develop and refine penetration testing methodologies, tools, and techniques to adapt to evolving ... Posted Salary Range$165,000 - $185,000 annual salary. What Fortreum Offers * medical insurance ...

ManTech International

Penetration Testing Lead

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$137K - $244K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

MANTECH seeks a motivated, career, and team-oriented Penetration Testing Lead to support a DHS ... There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester / Secret

Washington, DC · On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Conduct fullspectrum penetration testing across enterprise, cloud, mobile, IoT, and HVA ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Peraton

Jr. Cyber Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$66K - $106K/yr

Support the Penetration Testing (Red Cell) Team. * Assess the current state of the customer ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester / Secret

Washington, DC

$104K - $166K/yr

Conduct fullspectrum penetration testing across enterprise, cloud, mobile, IoT, and HVA ... Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and ...

CACI International, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$113K - $237K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Proactive interest in emerging technologies and techniques related to penetration testing ... There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to ...

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Proficiency in penetration testing tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, or Nessus * Strong ... Excellent Salaries * Flexible Work Schedule * Cafeteria Style Benefits * 10% - 401k Matching ...

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Proficiency in penetration testing tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, or Nessus * Strong ... Excellent Salaries * Flexible Work Schedule * Cafeteria Style Benefits * 10% - 401k Matching ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Conduct testing and analysis to identify vulnerabilities and potential threat vectors in systems ... Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsPenetration Testing Salary JobsPenetration Testing Salary Jobs in Reston, VA

Penetration Testing Salary information

See Reston, VA salary details

$23.4K

$124.7K

$175.3K

How much do penetration testing salary jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration testing salary in Reston, VA is $124,733.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,900.00 and $146,700.00 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.

Is a penetration tester a good job?

A penetration tester is a cybersecurity professional who assesses computer systems for vulnerabilities using tools like Kali Linux and exploits. The role offers high demand, competitive salaries, and opportunities for certification such as OSCP or CEH. It requires strong technical skills, problem-solving ability, and often involves working in a fast-paced environment.

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.

What are popular job titles related to Penetration Testing Salary jobs in Reston, VA?

For Penetration Testing Salary jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Penetration Testing Salary jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Penetration Testing Salary jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Penetration Testing Salary jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Penetration Testing Salary job openings:

Penetration Testing Salary jobs near you

Senior Penetration Tester

Cyber Defense Technologies

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$124K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Overview: CDT is looking for a Senior Penetration Tester to support a government customer onsite in Chantilly, VA. Candidates with OSCP certification are highly recommended to apply.
Clearance: An active Top Secret/SCI with CI poly is required.Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for performing basic reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning in accordance with established testing methodologies
  • Identifies common vulnerabilities that can be potentially exploited, documents and reports findings.
  • Possess basic scripting abilities and an understanding of network fundamentals and vulnerability scanning tools.
  • Conducting more complex penetration tests, exploring more complex vulnerability analysis including misconfigurations and zero-day exploits, and developing more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
  • Leads penetration tests, mentoring junior testers, and providing technical guidance to stakeholders.
  • Possess expertise in network protocols, application security, social engineering, and advanced scripting.
  • Designing and leading complex penetration tests, developing customized tools and methodologies
  • Providing expert guidance on security best practices
  • Identifying complex vulnerabilities, providing strategic security advice, and leading remediation efforts
  • Collaborating with management to develop security policies, training other cybersecurity professionals, and staying abreast of emerging threats.
  • Possess extensive knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, industry standards, and advanced security tools.
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher and 4 year of Pen tester experience.
  • Associate's degree and 9 years of relevant work experience, Bachelor's Degree and 7 years of relevant work experience, Master's degree and 5 year of relevant work experience.
  • Experience in cyber security with a focus on red teaming, penetration testing, or threat hunting.
Why Join Cyber Defense Technologies?
At CDT, we offer a collaborative and inclusive work environment where your expertise in Penetration Testing will help shape the future of cybersecurity and engineering solutions.
Compensation and Benefits:
  • Competitive salary based on experience.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
CDT is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity employer making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
Apply Now:
If you are a proactive Penetration Tester and thrive in dynamic environments, we encourage you to apply and join the CDT team!
Salary Range: $124,000 - $168,000

Apply