Salary and Job Outlook for Penetration Testers

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Updated December 8, 2022

Learn more about what salary you can expect as a penetration tester, explore job projections, and find the right industry for you.

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Penetration testers, also called pen testers, help organizations detect potential security risks in computer systems and networks. A career in penetration testing offers higher-than-average salaries in an in-demand field.

Information security analysts perform similar duties to pen testers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that information security analysts earned a median annual salary of $103,590 as of May 2020.

This guide discusses how to become a pen tester, what to expect from this field, and salary and career outlook data.

What Does a Penetration Tester Do?

In comparison to other computer science professionals, a penetration tester specializes in a narrow area of cybersecurity. They help protect their organizations' digital information from attack by finding system weaknesses before an attack occurs, otherwise known as vulnerability testing.

Penetration testers can save their employers from financial damage and loss of public trust that occurs after major data breaches. These professionals think like malicious hackers to find potential vulnerabilities and prevent future attacks.

Penetration testers often work within cybersecurity or information technology (IT) teams. Important penetration testing skills include experience using hacking tools, coding and scripting, and an advanced understanding of vulnerabilities and operating systems.

Strong communication, interpersonal, and report writing abilities also help penetration testers excel in their careers.

How Much Can You Earn as a Pen Tester?

Pen testers can earn high salaries. Payscale reports an average penetration tester salary of $87,440 as of September 2021. This figure significantly exceeds the national median salary for all occupations of $41,950 reported by the BLS as of May 2020.

Entry-level penetration testers make less than experienced professionals. Compensation also varies by education, with penetration testers with higher degrees typically earning more. Other factors that can influence salary include location, industry, and specialization area.

Penetration Tester

Average Annual Salary, 2021

$87,440


Source: Payscale

Penetration Tester Salary by Experience

Penetration tester salaries vary based on level of experience. Penetration testers with 20 or more years of experience make an average of $124,610 annually — about $57,000 more than the average salary for entry-level professionals.

Just gaining 1-4 years of experience can increase a penetration tester's salary significantly, from an average of $67,950 for an entry-level penetration tester to $81,230 for an early career professional.

The table below notes the average base annual salary by years of experience as of August 2021, according to Payscale.


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Penetration Tester Salary by Education

Penetration tester salaries typically increase with education level. For example, advancing from a bachelor's in information security to a master's degree can increase average earnings by $19,000 a year.

Consider the pros and cons of additional education by weighing potential higher salaries with the time and money it takes to earn another degree. Less expensive options include certifications or bootcamps.

Academic programs that cover penetration testing typically offer degrees in computer science, cybersecurity, or information security. The following data represents all respondents who hold these degrees, rather than penetration testers alone.

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Penetration Tester Salary by Location

In addition to education and experience levels, location can also affect your salary. Factors like job demand, cost of living, and population density can all affect a penetration tester's salary. To maximize earning potential, consider jobs in higher-paying areas with lower-than-average cost of living figures.

The following table includes information on the top-paying cities, metropolitan areas, and states for penetration testers and information security analysts. The data for top-paying metro areas and states does not solely represent penetration testers but includes other cybersecurity professionals.

Top-Paying Cities for Penetration Testers

City Average Annual Wage Percent Above the National Average
Washington, D.C. $119,790 38%
Arlington, VA $106,390 23%
Dallas, TX $98,453 14%
Seattle, WA $98,260 13%
Austin, TX $93,700 8%
Source: Payscale, 2021

Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Information Security Analysts

Metropolitan Area Number of Penetration Testers Employed Annual Mean Wage
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 1,870 $147,160
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA 2,590 $136,910
Idaho Falls, ID 210 $130,620
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 8,280 $130,000
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT 160 $128,750
Source: BLS, 2020

Top-Paying States for Information Security Analysts

State Employment Annual Mean Wage
California 10,470 $125,990
New York 6,450 $125,920
New Jersey 4,000 $123,280
Washington, D.C. 1,810 $119,460
Virginia 16,160 $116,920
Source: BLS, 2020
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Job Outlook and Career Prospects for Pen Testers

Penetration testers face an excellent job outlook with growing demand in many industries. The data below is not specific to penetration testers but represents information security analysts — a similar career that encompasses penetration testing.

The BLS projects employment for information security analysts to grow by 33% from 2020-2030. The agency attributes the projected strong demand for penetration testers to the increasing frequency of cyberattacks.

Many businesses, especially banking and healthcare organizations, will need to improve their cybersecurity to protect sensitive customer financial data and patient health information.

Education and experience requirements vary by employer, but most entry-level penetration tester positions require a bachelor's degree at minimum. Penetration testers with relevant work experience can pursue the highest-paying opportunities. Professional certifications can also help candidates stand out.

Information Security Analyst

Change in Projected Employment

+33% from 2020-2030


Source: BLS

Best Locations for Penetration Testers

While penetration testers can find career opportunities throughout the U.S., location can impact your career prospects. Some states, metro areas, and cities offer more relevant positions and higher pay than others. For example, Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Virginia, pay pen testers significantly more than the national average.

Generally, prospective penetration testers can find more cybersecurity jobs in urban areas than rural ones. Below, we discuss the best states for pen testers.

Top States for Pen Testers

Some states offer better opportunities for pen testers than others. Consider salary, population density, cost of living, and job demand in any potential states.

The table below highlights some of the top-employing states for pen testers. We also included states with the greatest projected increase in employment for this field. Virginia and Texas rank in the top two states for both categories. The data below refers to information security analysts, a career that encompasses penetration testing.

Top-Employing States for Information Security Analysts

Top-Employing States Number of Penetration Testers Employed Annual Mean Wage
Virgina 16,160 $116,920
Texas 13,410 $113,400
California 10,470 $125,990
Florida 7,600 $95,190
Maryland 7,090 $111,310
Source: BLS, 2020

States With the Greatest Projected Increase in Employment for Information Security Analysts

State Percent Projected Change, 2018-28 Average Annual Openings
Greatest Projected Percentage Increase
Utah 59% 80
District of Columbia 53% 220
Colorado 50% 510
Virginia 45% 1,930
Nevada 44% 70
Most Projected Average Annual Openings
Virginia 45% 1,930
Texas 38% 1,040
New York 34% 830
Florida 44% 750
California 33% 630
Source: Projections Central, 2018-28

Top Cities for Pen Testers

Some cities and metropolitan regions employ many penetration testers and offer higher-than-average wages. Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria employs the most information security professionals of any metro area. Other top-employing areas include New York-Newark-Jersey City and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington.

When choosing where to apply for pen tester jobs, consider average salary, demand for the profession, cost of living, and population demographics and density. The data below is not specific to penetration testers but represents a career that includes penetration testing.

Top-Employing Metropolitan Areas for Information Security Analysts

Metropolitan Area Number of Information Security Analysts Employed Annual Mean Wage
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-VA-MD-WV 15,750 $117,920
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 8,280 $130,000
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 6,130 $117,480
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH 4,520 $109,220
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 4,370 $112,870
Source: BLS, 2020

Best Industries for Penetration Testers

Major industries that employ penetration testers include computer systems design, management, credit intermediation, and management consulting services. Top-paying industries include electronic shopping and mail-order houses, information services, semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing, and auto repair and maintenance.

The data below refers to information security analysts, a similar cybersecurity career.

Top-Paying Industries for Information Security Analysts

Top-Paying Industries Employment Annual Mean Wage
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses 330 $132,150
Other Information Services 680 $131,050
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing 790 $128,330
Automotive Repair and Maintenance 40 $127,150
Legal Services 660 $125,980
Source: BLS, 2020

Employment by Industry for Information Security Analysts

Industries With Highest Employment Employment Annual Mean Wage
Computer Systems Design and Related Services 36,280 $108,910
Management of Companies and Enterprises 13,330 $104,960
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) 10,880 $110,490
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 7,410 $110,440
Insurance Carriers 5,450 $103,230
Source: BLS, 2020

Upward Mobility for Penetration Testers

Penetration testers can advance into positions with greater responsibilities and higher salaries over time. Penetration tester salaries and job opportunities can also increase with higher education and professional certifications.

The certified information systems security professional certification can help pen testers qualify for better pay and higher positions. Many penetration testers shift from entry-level support positions to more advanced roles to plan and oversee penetration testing projects.

Some pen testers move into other cybersecurity and IT positions as security managers, security architects, and security directors. These roles manage or oversee an organizations' broader cybersecurity efforts.

Learn More About Penetration Testers

What Is a Penetration Tester?

What Is a Penetration Tester?

Learn about what penetration testers do, including daily tasks, required skills, and who they work with on this page.

How to Become a Penetration Tester

How to Become a Penetration Tester

This page explains the requirements for becoming a penetration tester, including typical education and experience.

Day in the Life of a Penetration Tester

Day in the Life of a Penetration Tester

Look at a day in the life of one penetration tester to understand typical responsibilities in this field.

Certifications for Penetration Testers

Certifications for Penetration Testers

This guide explains different certification options for penetration testers and outlines some benefits of earning these credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions About Penetration Testers

How much does a pen tester make?

Penetration tester salaries vary with education level, experience, location, and industry. Payscale reports that penetration testers made an average annual salary of $87,440 as of August 2021.

How much does an entry-level penetration tester make?

Payscale reports that entry-level penetration testers made an average annual salary of $67,950 as of September 2021. Penetration testers earn higher salaries as they gain professional experience.

Is penetration testing a good career?

Penetration testing can be an excellent career choice for individuals with strong computer, IT, and problem-solving skills. The BLS projects much-faster-than-average growth for information security analysts, including penetration testers, from 2020-2030.

What are the education requirements for penetration testing?

Penetration testing requirements usually include relevant experience and education. Employers typically seek candidates with bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity or computer science.

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