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Remote Penetration Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Security Analyst - Fully Remote

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$1.7K - $2.1K/wk

Remote Role Responsibilities * Review and evaluate AI-generated outputs related to threat analysis ... Background in areas such as SOC analysis, incident response (DFIR), penetration testing, threat ...

Mercor

Security Analyst

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$1.7K - $2.1K/wk

Remote Role Responsibilities * Review and evaluate AI-generated outputs related to threat analysis ... Background in areas such as SOC analysis, incident response (DFIR), penetration testing, threat ...

Mercor

Senior Security Analyst

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$1.7K - $2.1K/wk

Remote Role Responsibilities * Review and evaluate AI-generated outputs related to threat analysis ... Background in areas such as SOC analysis, incident response (DFIR), penetration testing, threat ...

Mercor

Information Security Analyst

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$1.7K - $2.1K/wk

Remote Role Responsibilities * Review and evaluate AI-generated outputs related to threat analysis ... Background in areas such as SOC analysis, incident response (DFIR), penetration testing, threat ...

Mercor

AI Safety Expert - Red Teaming

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$20 - $22/hr

Remote Role Responsibilities * Red team conversational AI models and agents. Conduct jailbreaks ... Cybersecurity skills: penetration testing, exploit development, reverse engineering. * Socio ...

Mercor

AI Safety Expert - Red Team

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$20 - $22/hr

Contract Compensation: $20-$22/hour Location: Remote Role Responsibilities * Red team ... Background in Cybersecurity : penetration testing, exploit development, reverse engineering.

Mercor

AI Safety Expert - Red Team

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$20 - $22/hr

Contract Compensation: $20-$22/hour Location: Remote Role Responsibilities * Red team ... Background in Cybersecurity : penetration testing, exploit development, reverse engineering.

Capio Group

Development Lead

Sacramento, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $130K/yr

Capio Group is looking for an experienced Development Lead! Full-time employee - Remote Salary ... Performing security and penetration testing of all infrastructure and application components.

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All JobsPenetration Testing JobsRemote Penetration Testing JobsRemote Penetration Testing Jobs in California

Remote Penetration Testing information

See California salary details

$22.2K

$118.3K

$166.3K

How much do remote penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote penetration testing in California is $118,325.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,700.00 and $139,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Remote Penetration Tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of computer networks, cybersecurity principles, and common vulnerabilities, often supported by a degree in computer science or related certifications like OSCP or CEH. Familiarity with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and various operating systems is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear written communication skills help you effectively discover, document, and explain security findings to clients. These competencies are crucial for accurately identifying risks and helping organizations strengthen their security posture.

Is there a demand for penetration testing?

There is strong demand for penetration testers, including those in remote roles, as organizations prioritize cybersecurity and vulnerability assessments. Skilled professionals with knowledge of tools like Kali Linux, Metasploit, and certifications such as OSCP are especially sought after in the industry.

Will pentesters be replaced by AI?

Remote penetration testers perform manual and creative security assessments that AI currently cannot fully replicate. While AI tools can assist with vulnerability scanning and data analysis, human expertise is essential for identifying complex threats, interpreting results, and developing effective security strategies. The role of pentesters is expected to evolve with technology, but not be entirely replaced by AI.

What is the difference between Remote Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Assessment Specialist?

AspectRemote Penetration TestingVulnerability Assessment Specialist
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENOSCP, CEH, CISSP
Work EnvironmentHands-on testing, simulated attacksScanning, identifying vulnerabilities
Industry UsageCybersecurity firms, IT departmentsSecurity teams, consulting firms

Remote Penetration Testing involves actively exploiting vulnerabilities to assess security defenses, while Vulnerability Assessment Specialists focus on identifying and prioritizing security weaknesses without exploiting them. Both roles require similar certifications and often work in overlapping environments, but penetration testers perform more in-depth, simulated attack scenarios to evaluate security robustness.

What are some common challenges faced by remote penetration testers, and how can they be addressed?

Remote penetration testers often encounter challenges such as limited access to physical infrastructure, varying levels of client preparedness, and potential communication barriers with on-site teams. To address these issues, it's important to establish clear communication channels, use secure remote access tools, and maintain detailed documentation of testing activities. Building strong relationships with client IT staff and staying up-to-date with remote testing best practices can also help ensure effective and successful engagements.

How much do remote penetration testers make?

Remote penetration testers typically earn between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the complexity of the projects. Senior professionals with advanced skills and certifications like OSCP or CISSP can earn higher salaries, especially when working for specialized firms or as freelancers.

Do penetration testers work remotely?

Many penetration testers work remotely, especially those in freelance or consulting roles, utilizing tools like VPNs, remote access software, and security testing platforms. Remote work allows flexibility, but some employers may require on-site presence for certain assessments or client interactions.

What is remote penetration testing?

Remote penetration testing is a security assessment process where cybersecurity professionals, also known as ethical hackers, attempt to find and exploit vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems, networks, or applications from an offsite location. This simulates a real-world cyberattack to help organizations identify and fix security weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. Remote penetration testing is often conducted over the internet, making it a flexible and efficient option for businesses to assess their security posture without requiring onsite visits.
What are the most commonly searched types of Penetration Testing jobs in California? The most popular types of Penetration Testing jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Penetration Testing jobs in California? For Remote Penetration Testing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Penetration Testing jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Penetration Testing jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Remote Penetration Testing jobs? Cities in California with the most Remote Penetration Testing job openings:
Remote Penetration Testing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Penetration Testing job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,325 per year, or $56.9 per hour.
Security Analyst - Fully Remote

Security Analyst - Fully Remote

Mercor

San Francisco, CA • Remote

$1.7K - $2.1K/wk

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Cybersecurity Expert
Type: Contract
Compensation: $1,750–$2,150 per completed task
Location: Remote

Role Responsibilities

  • Review and evaluate AI-generated outputs related to threat analysis, vulnerability assessment, and security architecture recommendations.
  • Create realistic scenarios based on cybersecurity workflows such as incident response runbooks, threat hunting queries, and penetration testing reports.
  • Annotate, label, and validate data across cybersecurity use cases like CVE classification accuracy and SIEM alert triage.
  • Provide structured feedback on AI accuracy in areas such as cybersecurity frameworks (NIST CSF, MITRE ATT&CK) and threat intelligence standards (STIX/TAXII).
  • Collaborate asynchronously with research teams to refine evaluation frameworks for cybersecurity AI.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • 3+ years of professional experience in cybersecurity at an enterprise organization, MSSP, consultancy, or government/defense environment.
  • Background in areas such as SOC analysis, incident response (DFIR), penetration testing, threat intelligence, or security architecture.
  • Strong analytical thinking and ability to translate security operations into structured evaluation tasks.
  • Clear written communication and attention to detail.

Preferred

  • Professional certifications like CISSP, CISM, CEH, OSCP, GIAC certifications, Security+.

Compensation & Legal

  • Task Completion Pay: Competitive and based on task quality.
  • Performance Bonus: Weekly bonus incentive for top performers.
  • Hourly Opportunity: Transition to hourly compensation for sustained quality.

Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)

  • Upload resume
  • AI interview based on your resume
  • Submit form

Resources & Support

  • For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
  • For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.