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Penetration Testing Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Penetration Tester

Leesburg, VA ยท On-site

$155K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

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 ...

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

SALARIED EXEMPT Location : Hybrid, Washington, DC US Citizenship : Required Summary of Position Role/Responsibilities Quzara LLC, a SBA Certified WOSB, EDWOSB, and 8(a) cybersecurity firm ...

Junior Penetration Tester

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$79K - $108K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

... Penetration Testing will help shape the future of cybersecurity and engineering solutions. Compensation and Benefits: * Competitive salary based on experience. * Comprehensive benefits package ...

Senior Penetration Tester

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$124K - $163K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

... Penetration Testing will help shape the future of cybersecurity and engineering solutions. Compensation and Benefits: * Competitive salary based on experience. * Comprehensive benefits package ...

SME Penetration Tester

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$144K - $187K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

... Penetration Testing will help shape the future of cybersecurity and engineering solutions. Compensation and Benefits: * Competitive salary based on experience. * Comprehensive benefits package ...

Senior Penetration Tester

Middletown, RI ยท On-site

$96.80 - $161.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Penetration Testing: Plan, execute, and report on penetration tests and security assessments on ... The salary range for this position is USD $96,800.00/Yr. - USD $161,500.00/Yr. Actual compensation ...

Senior Penetration Tester

Tampa, FL

$156K - $260K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Plan, scope, and execute penetration testing engagements across a variety of environments ... We offer a competitive total rewards package including base salary determined based on the role ...

Senior Penetration Tester

Middletown, RI ยท On-site

$118K - $128K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Penetration Testing: Plan, execute, and report on penetration tests and security assessments on ... The salary range for this position is USD $118,000.00/Yr. - USD $128,000/Yr. Actual compensation ...

Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 15, 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.

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.
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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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Penetration Tester

Dark Wolf Solutions

Colorado Springs, CO โ€ข Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Dark Wolf is actively seeking an experienced Penetration Tester to join our innovative team. This individual will play a critical role in assessing and enhancing the security of various products, including hardware, software, and embedded systems. This role demands a deep understanding of penetration testing methodologies and advanced exploit development, focusing on identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities across a wide range of technologies. As a Junior Product and Hardware Security Penetration Tester, you will have the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the enhancement of security across a wide range of products. If you possess a strong background in penetration testing and a passion for cybersecurity, we encourage you to apply for this pivotal role. This position is set to be supported in a hybrid work environment out of the DC Metro area. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Conducting comprehensive penetration testing on hardware, software, and network components.
  • Performing advanced vulnerability scanning and assessments on all components.
  • Performing a Cybersecurity evaluation of the product under test to identify vulnerabilities that would negatively impact the Confidentiality, Integrity, or Availability of system data or functionality.
  • Analyzing software, firmware, hardware, and/or RF components within the system.
  • Opining on the impact and level of effort required to exploit the identified vulnerabilities as well as providing information on a high-level remediation strategy.
  • Developing and executing exploits and proof-of-concept (PoC) attacks to demonstrate the impact of identified vulnerabilities.
  • Analyzing and reverse engineering firmware and embedded systems to identify security weaknesses.
  • Testing and assessing the security of secure boot processes and Trusted Execution Environments (TEE).
  • Conducting web application security assessments, focusing on OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities and API security testing.
  • Performing manual verification of vulnerabilities, assessing their risk and exploitability.
  • Engaging in wireless and RF security testing, including penetration testing on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee networks.
  • Utilizing Software Defined Radio (SDR) for protocol reverse engineering and testing.
  • Reporting detailed findings, documenting case details, and providing actionable recommendations for remediation to enhance product security based on system analysis.
  • Planning and executing full-scale, cross-domain vulnerability assessments, network penetration testing, and phishing/social engineering campaigns.
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related field
  • Minimum of 2+ years' experience in three or more specific areas to include: intelligence analysis, network engineering, networking security, penetration testing, red team operations, hardware engineering, software engineering, exploit development, reverse engineering, vulnerability assessment, physical security assessments, or social engineering
  • Proficiency with cloud technology and deployments across Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • Proficiency in the testing and assessment of mobile operating systems, embedded systems, and/or IoT devices
  • Experience in drafting reports, documenting case details, and summarizing findings and recommendations based on system analysis
  • Experience performing advanced vulnerability scanning and assessments on all components
  • Experience conducting web application security assessments, focusing on OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities and API security testing
  • Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong understanding of NIST 800-53 frameworks
  • US Citizenship and an active security clearance at a minimum of the Secret Level
Desired Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with NIST 800-171 Revision 2
  • Proven ability to develop and execute complex exploits and PoC attacks
  • Strong analytical skills and experience in firmware, binary exploitation, and embedded systems testing
  • Advanced knowledge of Software Defined Radio (SDR) and protocol reverse engineering
  • Active professional certifications such as CEH, OSCP, PNPT, GPEN, or similar security/pen testing certifications

The salary range for this position is $130,000.00 - $145,000.00 commensurate on experience and technical skillset.ย 

We are open to considering a variety of levels of experience for these projects and potential for 1099 hourly opportunity.ย 

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.ย 
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification from upon hire.ย