Salary for Senior-level / Expert Penetration Tester in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Penetration Tester salary lies between USD 112,000 and USD 199,700 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. 15, 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 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 | 281 jobs Vulnerabilities | 242 jobs OSCP | 213 jobs Cloud | 187 jobs Python | 152 jobs Scripting | 133 jobs Linux | 121 jobs Red team | 119 jobs Security assessment | 117 jobs OWASP | 112 jobs Burp Suite | 108 jobs Metasploit | 104 jobs Exploit | 102 jobs Application security | 100 jobs C | 97 jobs Computer Science | 97 jobs AWS | 92 jobs APIs | 92 jobs GPEN | 90 jobs Nmap | 87 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 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 | 148 jobs Health care | 104 jobs Flex hours | 81 jobs Team events | 65 jobs Competitive pay | 63 jobs Insurance | 42 jobs Equity / stock options | 41 jobs Salary bonus | 41 jobs Flex vacation | 35 jobs Startup environment | 34 jobs Medical leave | 33 jobs Parental leave | 31 jobs 401(k) matching | 25 jobs Conferences | 19 jobs Wellness | 14 jobs Fitness / gym | 9 jobs Gear | 8 jobs Flexible spending account | 7 jobs Transparency | 6 jobs Home office stipend | 5 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. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual achievements. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, or Seattle, companies might offer higher base salaries and more substantial bonuses due to the competitive market. In contrast, regions with a lower cost of living might offer a smaller base salary but could compensate with other benefits. Larger companies or those in highly regulated industries like finance or healthcare might offer additional incentives such as stock options, retirement plans, or comprehensive health benefits.

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, IoT security, or threat intelligence, can also make you more valuable and justify a higher salary. Additionally, contributing to the cybersecurity community through speaking engagements, publishing research, or participating in high-profile projects can enhance your reputation and open doors to higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Penetration Tester positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for expert-level roles. A strong educational background provides a solid foundation in the technical and theoretical aspects of cybersecurity, which is crucial for understanding complex security challenges.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and beneficial 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 your expertise and commitment to staying current with industry standards and practices.

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 or related roles. Experience in various environments, such as cloud, on-premises, and hybrid systems, is often required. Familiarity with a wide range of tools and techniques, as well as experience in conducting comprehensive security assessments, is crucial.

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