Penetration Testing Engineer Salary in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average Penetration Testing Engineer salary lies between USD 135,500 and USD 212,800 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: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Penetration Testing Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Penetration Testing Engineer job listings are Red team, Pentesting and Network security. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Red team | 13 jobs Pentesting | 13 jobs Network security | 12 jobs AWS | 12 jobs Cryptography | 12 jobs Automation | 12 jobs Python | 12 jobs Scripting | 12 jobs IAM | 12 jobs Computer Science | 12 jobs Audits | 11 jobs CTF | 11 jobs S3 | 11 jobs Lambda | 11 jobs C | 11 jobs Java | 11 jobs JavaScript | 11 jobs Ruby | 11 jobs Rust | 11 jobs EC2 | 11 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Penetration Testing Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Penetration Testing Engineer job listings are Career development, Conferences and Equity / stock options. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 12 jobs Conferences | 12 jobs Equity / stock options | 6 jobs Startup environment | 6 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Penetration Testing Engineer in the United States typically consists of a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary is the fixed component and usually makes up the majority of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual achievements. Additional remuneration might include benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and sometimes equity in the company.

The composition can vary based on several factors:

• Region: Salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
• Industry: Industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology often offer higher salaries due to the critical nature of cybersecurity in these sectors.
• Company Size: Larger companies may offer more comprehensive benefits and higher bonuses, while startups might offer equity as part of the compensation package.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from the position of a Penetration Testing Engineer, consider the following steps:

• Specialize: Develop expertise in niche areas such as cloud security, IoT security, or application security, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into roles like Security Architect or Security Manager, which typically offer higher salaries.
• Consulting: Consider moving into a consulting role, where you can leverage your expertise across multiple projects and potentially earn more.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest security trends and technologies, and pursue advanced certifications or degrees.

Educational Requirements

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field for a Penetration Testing Engineer role. Some positions may accept equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree. Advanced positions might prefer candidates with a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related discipline.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise. Some of the most recognized certifications for penetration testers include:

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

These certifications validate your skills and knowledge in ethical hacking and penetration testing methodologies.

Required Experience

Typically, a Penetration Testing Engineer position requires 2-5 years of experience in cybersecurity or a related field. Experience in network security, system administration, or software development can be beneficial. Hands-on experience with penetration testing tools and methodologies is crucial.

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