Salary for Entry-level / Junior Penetration Tester during 2023

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior Penetration Tester salary lies between USD 44,267 and USD 120,000 globally. 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.

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 Entry-level / Junior Penetration Tester roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with entry-level / junior Penetration Tester job listings are Vulnerabilities, Pentesting and OSCP. 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:

Vulnerabilities | 24 jobs Pentesting | 21 jobs OSCP | 15 jobs CEH | 15 jobs Cloud | 13 jobs Cryptography | 9 jobs OWASP | 9 jobs CISSP | 8 jobs Application security | 8 jobs APIs | 8 jobs GPEN | 7 jobs Linux | 7 jobs Windows | 7 jobs Security assessment | 6 jobs Computer Science | 6 jobs Banking | 5 jobs PHP | 5 jobs SDLC | 5 jobs OSWE | 5 jobs Privacy | 5 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Entry-level / Junior Penetration Tester roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with entry-level / junior Penetration Tester job listings are Career development, Team events and Flex hours. 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 | 18 jobs Team events | 14 jobs Flex hours | 9 jobs Health care | 7 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Insurance | 5 jobs Competitive pay | 4 jobs Startup environment | 3 jobs Equity / stock options | 2 jobs Transparency | 2 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 2 jobs Salary bonus | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an entry-level or junior penetration tester typically consists of a base salary, which is the fixed amount, and may include bonuses and additional remuneration. The base salary is often the largest component and is influenced by factors such as region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like San Francisco or New York may offer higher base salaries compared to smaller cities due to the higher cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. Bonuses can be performance-based or tied to company profits and are more common in larger companies or those in competitive industries like finance or technology. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech startups, or benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development allowances.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from an entry-level position, consider gaining more experience and expertise in specialized areas of cybersecurity. Pursuing advanced certifications, such as the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), can make you more attractive to employers. Networking within the industry, attending conferences, and contributing to open-source projects can also enhance your reputation and open up higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, seeking roles in industries that value cybersecurity highly, such as finance or healthcare, or moving to regions with a higher demand for cybersecurity professionals, can lead to salary increases.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level penetration tester positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity. Some employers may accept candidates with an associate degree or relevant experience, especially if they have strong technical skills and a proven track record in cybersecurity. A solid understanding of computer networks, operating systems, and programming languages is essential, and coursework in these areas can be beneficial.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your qualifications for a penetration tester role. Some of the most recognized certifications include:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Focuses on understanding and using hacking tools and techniques.
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP): Known for its hands-on approach and practical exam.
• CompTIA Security+: Provides a broad overview of security concepts and is often considered a good starting point.
• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN): Offers a more advanced understanding of penetration testing methodologies.

These certifications demonstrate your commitment to the field and your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.

Experience Requirements

For an entry-level position, employers typically look for candidates with some practical experience, which can be gained through internships, co-op programs, or personal projects. Experience with network security, vulnerability assessment, and familiarity with penetration testing tools like Metasploit, Nmap, and Wireshark is often expected. While direct work experience in penetration testing may not be required, a background in IT support, network administration, or software development can be advantageous.

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