Penetration Tester Salary in 2026
Ethically hack computer systems and networks to find security vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do.
Median Salary
$129,180
$10,765/mo
Entry Level
$83,700
starting pay
Senior Level
$190,700
experienced
Job Growth
+32%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Information Security Analysts (SOC 15-1212, the closest published occupation to Penetration Tester) at a national median of $129,180 per year (mean $132,510), or $62.11 per hour, with 190,650 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Penetration Tester Overview
Ethically hack computer systems and networks to find security vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
191K
5-Year Growth
+22%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$62.11/hr
Monthly Pay
$10,765
Penetration Tester Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Penetration Tester salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Penetration Tester Salary
$154,000
$12,833/month · $5,923/biweekly · $74.04/hr
Penetration Tester Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Penetration Tester field.
Entry-level Penetration Testers earn around $83,700, while the top 10% earn $211,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Penetration Testers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $152,000 | +$22,820 |
| New York | $149,000 | +$19,820 |
| Maryland | $140,000 | +$10,820 |
| Virginia | $137,000 | +$7,820 |
| Texas | $127,000 | $-2,180 |
Top Paying Cities for Penetration Testers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San FranciscoBLS metro | $162,310 | +$33,130 |
| Washington DC | $149,000 | +$19,820 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $140,470 | +$11,290 |
| BaltimoreBLS metro | $138,170 | +$8,990 |
| DallasBLS metro | $133,610 | +$4,430 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Information Security Analysts in that city's metropolitan statistical area (4 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Penetration Tester Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Penetration Tester from entry level to expert.
$83,700
0-2 years
$137,000
3-7 years
$190,700
8-14 years
$231,300
15+ years
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Penetration Tester Salary FAQ
How much does a Penetration Tester make in 2026?
The median salary for a Penetration Tester in the United States is $129,180 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Information Security Analysts (SOC 15-1212); the mean is $132,510. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $83,700, senior professionals around $190,700, and top earners at $231,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Penetration Tester?
A Penetration Tester typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Kali Linux, Burp Suite, Metasploit. Relevant certifications such as OSCP or CEH can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Penetration Testers?
The job market for Penetration Testers is projected to grow by 32% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 191K Penetration Tester positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 22%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Penetration Testers the most?
The highest-paying states for Penetration Testers include Virginia, California, Maryland. In Virginia, the median salary is approximately $137,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Penetration Tester salary?
To increase your Penetration Tester salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Kali Linux and Burp Suite. Pursue certifications such as OSCP. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Washington DC. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $83,700 to $190,700 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Penetration Tester Salary
How we calculate Penetration Tester salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Information Security Analysts (SOC 15-1212), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $129,180, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Information Security Analysts; BLS mean $132,510; BLS hourly median $62.11.
- Entry-level ($83,700) and senior-level ($190,700) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +32% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 190,650 Information Security Analysts jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 22% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Technology sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $129,180; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Penetration Tester compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Penetration Tester job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Technology
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Penetration Tester salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Kali Linux, Burp Suite, Metasploit), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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