5 of the Best Types of Penetration Testing Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Penetration Testing jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Penetration Testing Jobs

• Penetration Testing Manager

  Salary range: $111,000 - $150,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Penetration Testing Freelance

  Salary range: $96,000 - $141,000

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Entry Level Penetration Testing

  Salary range: $96,000 - $141,000

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Junior Penetration Testing

  Salary range: $48,500 - $80,000

  Junior Penetration Testing is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Junior Penetration Testing jobs pay between $48,500 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Junior Penetration Testing job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Penetration Testing Internship

  Salary range: $33,500 - $46,500

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.