Salary for Senior-level / Expert Penetration Tester in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Penetration Tester salary lies between USD 86,000 and USD 170,200 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 Senior-level / Expert Penetration Tester roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Penetration Tester job listings are Pentesting, Vulnerabilities and Cloud. 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 | 66 jobs Vulnerabilities | 65 jobs Cloud | 44 jobs OSCP | 43 jobs Scripting | 35 jobs Compliance | 34 jobs Linux | 33 jobs Windows | 32 jobs Python | 29 jobs Red team | 28 jobs CEH | 28 jobs GPEN | 26 jobs Application security | 26 jobs OWASP | 25 jobs Computer Science | 23 jobs Security assessment | 22 jobs Clearance | 21 jobs Exploit | 21 jobs Burp Suite | 20 jobs Bash | 20 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Penetration Tester roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Penetration Tester job listings are Career development, Health care and Salary bonus. 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 | 42 jobs Health care | 25 jobs Salary bonus | 19 jobs Equity / stock options | 16 jobs Competitive pay | 15 jobs Flex hours | 14 jobs Team events | 13 jobs Flex vacation | 11 jobs Startup environment | 11 jobs 401(k) matching | 10 jobs Wellness | 5 jobs Parental leave | 4 jobs Insurance | 4 jobs Conferences | 3 jobs Medical leave | 3 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 3 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Gear | 1 jobs Transparency | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Penetration Tester in the United States typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's success and individual performance, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in tech companies and startups, particularly in regions like Silicon Valley. In larger corporations or financial institutions, bonuses might be more structured and predictable. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in metropolitan areas like New York or San Francisco tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level Penetration Tester position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as a Security Team Lead or Security Manager. These positions often come with higher pay and additional responsibilities. Specializing in niche areas of cybersecurity, such as cloud security or IoT security, can also make you more valuable and open up higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, obtaining advanced certifications or pursuing further education, such as a master's degree in cybersecurity, can enhance your qualifications and bargaining power. Networking within the industry and attending conferences can also lead to opportunities with higher compensation.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Penetration Tester positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for expert-level roles. A strong foundation in computer science principles, networking, and security concepts is essential. Practical experience and a proven track record in penetration testing can sometimes compensate for formal education, but a degree is often a baseline requirement.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your credentials. Common and respected certifications for penetration testers include:

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

These certifications demonstrate a commitment to the field and validate your skills and knowledge in penetration testing and cybersecurity.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Penetration Tester is expected to have at least 5-7 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a significant portion of that time spent in penetration testing roles. Experience in related areas such as network security, incident response, or security analysis can also be beneficial. Employers look for candidates with a proven track record of identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities in various environments.

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