Salary for Mid-level / Intermediate Penetration Tester during 2023

Salary details

The average mid-level / intermediate Penetration Tester salary lies between USD 53,000 and USD 92,000 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 Mid-level / Intermediate Penetration Tester roles

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

Pentesting | 28 jobs OSCP | 24 jobs Vulnerabilities | 21 jobs Cloud | 19 jobs Application security | 16 jobs AWS | 14 jobs OWASP | 13 jobs Scripting | 13 jobs Exploit | 11 jobs OSWE | 11 jobs Burp Suite | 10 jobs NIST | 9 jobs Python | 9 jobs GCP | 9 jobs Security assessment | 8 jobs Azure | 8 jobs Red team | 7 jobs Linux | 7 jobs Exploits | 7 jobs Metasploit | 6 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Mid-level / Intermediate Penetration Tester roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Penetration Tester job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Health care. 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 | 21 jobs Flex hours | 14 jobs Health care | 11 jobs Competitive pay | 9 jobs Startup environment | 8 jobs Fitness / gym | 6 jobs Team events | 6 jobs Insurance | 6 jobs 401(k) matching | 5 jobs Conferences | 4 jobs Salary bonus | 4 jobs Flex vacation | 3 jobs Parental leave | 2 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 2 jobs Equity / stock options | 1 jobs Wellness | 1 jobs Travel | 1 jobs Gear | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a mid-level penetration tester typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The fixed base salary is the most significant component, often accounting for 70-85% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary widely depending on the company and industry, ranging from 5-15% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, is more common in larger companies or tech-focused industries and can add another 5-10% to the total compensation. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a mid-level penetration tester position, consider pursuing advanced certifications such as the Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Gaining expertise in specialized areas like cloud security or IoT security can also make you more valuable. Additionally, taking on leadership roles or project management responsibilities can demonstrate your ability to handle more complex tasks, potentially leading to promotions or salary increases. Networking within the industry and attending conferences can also open up opportunities for higher-paying positions.

Educational Requirements

Most mid-level penetration tester positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some employers may accept equivalent work experience in lieu of a formal degree, especially if you have a strong portfolio of relevant projects or skills. A master's degree in cybersecurity or a related discipline can be advantageous and may lead to higher starting salaries or faster career advancement.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field. Common and beneficial certifications for penetration testers include:

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

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

Required Experience

Typically, a mid-level penetration tester is expected to have 3-5 years of experience in cybersecurity or a related field. This experience should include hands-on work with penetration testing tools and methodologies, as well as a solid understanding of network security, application security, and threat modeling. Experience with scripting or programming languages, such as Python or Bash, is often required to automate tasks and develop custom testing tools.

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