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Penetration Testing Va Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Peraton

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Northern VA; Hybrid - flex as long as person can come on-site as/when needed. In this role, you ... Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ...

PingWind

Penetration Tester

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Alexandria, Va Required Clearance: Top Secret Clearance Certifications: Holds or is working toward penetration testing and offensive security certifications appropriate for DoD environments, such as ...

PingWind Inc

Penetration Tester

Alexandria, VA

Alexandria, Va Required Clearance: Top Secret Clearance Certifications: Holds or is working toward penetration testing and offensive security certifications appropriate for DoD environments, such as ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Northern VA; Hybrid - flex as long as person can come on-site as/when needed. In this role, you ... Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ...

PingWind

Penetration Tester

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Alexandria, Va Required Clearance: Top Secret Clearance Certifications: Holds or is working toward penetration testing and offensive security certifications appropriate for DoD environments, such as ...

gTANGIBLE

Penetration Testing Team Lead

Arlington, VA · On-site

Arlington, VA Clearance: Secret Duties and Responsibilities The Penetration Testing Team Lead supports this Transportation Security Administration Information Technology (TSA IT) Task Order (TO) by ...

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How much do penetration testing va jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration testing va 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 penetration testers be replaced by AI?

Penetration testers play a critical role in identifying security vulnerabilities that require human judgment and creativity. While AI tools can assist with automating certain tasks, they are unlikely to fully replace penetration testers, as complex analysis, strategic thinking, and adaptive problem-solving remain essential in cybersecurity assessments.

What is a Penetration Testing VA?

A Penetration Testing VA (Vulnerability Assessment) is an IT professional who evaluates and tests computer systems, networks, or applications to identify and address security vulnerabilities. Their work involves simulating cyber-attacks to discover weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them. They analyze security measures, create detailed reports of their findings, and provide recommendations to strengthen defenses. This role is crucial for organizations seeking to protect sensitive data and maintain robust cybersecurity practices.

Can you make $500,000 a year in cyber security?

Penetration testers and cybersecurity professionals can potentially earn $500,000 annually with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and specialized skills in high-demand areas or senior roles. Achieving this level often requires leadership positions, consulting, or working for large organizations with high-value security needs.

Is there a demand for penetration testing?

There is strong demand for penetration testers, including roles like Penetration Testing VA, as organizations seek to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. The field requires skills in cybersecurity tools, ethical hacking, and certifications such as OSCP or CEH, with job growth driven by increasing cyber threats across industries.

How much do penetration testers make?

Penetration testers in Virginia typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the complexity of the security environment. Entry-level roles may start around $60,000, while experienced professionals with certifications like OSCP or CISSP can earn higher salaries. The role often requires knowledge of security tools, scripting, and network protocols.

What are some common challenges penetration testers in Virginia face when assessing client networks, and how do they typically overcome them?

Penetration testers in Virginia often encounter challenges such as limited access to target systems, strict compliance requirements, and evolving security protocols. To address these, they work closely with clients to clarify testing scope and permissions, stay current with local and federal regulations, and adapt their testing methods to emerging technologies. Effective communication with IT and security teams is crucial, as is thorough documentation to ensure findings are actionable and align with organizational goals.

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

AspectPenetration Testing VaVulnerability Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, CISSPCISSP, CompTIA Security+
Work EnvironmentHands-on security testing, simulated attacksVulnerability assessment, reporting, analysis
Employer & Industry UsageCybersecurity firms, IT departmentsIT security teams, consulting firms

Penetration Testing Va focuses on actively exploiting security weaknesses through simulated attacks, requiring hands-on skills and certifications like OSCP or CEH. Vulnerability Analysts primarily identify and analyze security vulnerabilities, often using scanning tools and reporting findings. While both roles aim to improve security, Penetration Testing Va involves more active testing, whereas Vulnerability Analysts focus on assessment and documentation.

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 networking, cybersecurity principles, and vulnerability assessment, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and certifications such as OSCP or CEH are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you identify security gaps and explain findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders. These capabilities are crucial for safeguarding organizational assets and ensuring robust protection against cyber threats.
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What cities are hiring for Penetration Testing Va jobs? Cities with the most Penetration Testing Va job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Penetration Testing Va jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Penetration Testing Va jobs are:
Penetration Testing Va jobs near you
Infographic showing various Penetration Testing Va job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 80% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.
Penetration Tester

Penetration Tester

Peraton

Arlington, VA • On-site

$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.
EEO
EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

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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

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