Penetration Tester Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Penetration Tester salary lies between USD 102,500 and USD 179,000 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Penetration Tester roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Penetration Tester job listings are Pentesting, Vulnerabilities and OSCP. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Pentesting | 591 jobs Vulnerabilities | 475 jobs OSCP | 453 jobs Cloud | 374 jobs Python | 334 jobs Scripting | 284 jobs Burp Suite | 255 jobs OWASP | 238 jobs Application security | 236 jobs Security assessment | 228 jobs Metasploit | 226 jobs Linux | 225 jobs Red team | 215 jobs Exploit | 209 jobs Computer Science | 197 jobs CEH | 196 jobs GPEN | 196 jobs Nmap | 194 jobs AWS | 190 jobs PowerShell | 171 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Penetration Tester roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Penetration Tester job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 336 jobs Health care | 206 jobs Flex hours | 159 jobs Team events | 138 jobs Competitive pay | 126 jobs Equity / stock options | 92 jobs Insurance | 92 jobs Salary bonus | 82 jobs Medical leave | 81 jobs Flex vacation | 72 jobs Startup environment | 71 jobs Parental leave | 69 jobs Gear | 63 jobs Conferences | 51 jobs 401(k) matching | 50 jobs Wellness | 40 jobs Fitness / gym | 17 jobs Home office stipend | 16 jobs Flexible spending account | 14 jobs Transparency | 9 jobs

Salary Composition for Penetration Testers

The salary composition for penetration testers in the United States can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary is composed of a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City, the base salary might be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. In contrast, regions with a lower cost of living might offer a smaller base salary but compensate with bonuses or other benefits.

Industries such as finance, healthcare, and government often offer competitive salaries due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle. Larger companies may provide more comprehensive benefits packages, including bonuses tied to company performance, while smaller companies or startups might offer equity or stock options as part of the compensation package.

Steps to Increase Salary

To increase your salary further from a penetration tester position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of cybersecurity, such as cloud security, IoT security, or application security. Specialized skills can command higher salaries.
• Advanced Certifications: Pursue advanced certifications like Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) to enhance your credentials.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Security Team Lead or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), which typically offer higher salaries.
• Consulting: Consider moving into a consulting role, where you can leverage your expertise to advise multiple organizations, often at a higher pay rate.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest cybersecurity trends and technologies to remain competitive and justify salary increases.

Educational Requirements

Most penetration tester positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. Some employers may accept candidates with equivalent experience or an associate degree, especially if they possess relevant certifications and practical skills. Advanced degrees, such as a master's in cybersecurity, can be advantageous and may lead to higher-level positions or increased salary potential.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your employability and salary prospects. Some common and helpful certifications for penetration testers include:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• CompTIA PenTest+

These certifications demonstrate your technical skills and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Required Experience

The typical experience required for a penetration tester role ranges from 2 to 5 years in cybersecurity or a related field. Employers often look for candidates with hands-on experience in network security, vulnerability assessment, and ethical hacking. Experience with specific tools and technologies, such as Metasploit, Nmap, and Burp Suite, is also highly desirable. Entry-level positions may be available for those with strong educational backgrounds and relevant certifications, but practical experience is crucial for advancing in this career.

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