CompTIA PenTest+ Salary Guide: What Cybersecurity Pros Really Earn

Key takeaways

A CompTIA PenTest+ salary typically ranges in the six figures, but varies depending on the position, location, industry, and your experience level. 

• According to Glassdoor, penetration testers earn a total median salary of $154,000, with entry-level roles earning $115,000 [1].

• Earning the CompTIA PenTest+ can help you gain entry to high-earning positions like penetration tester, security analyst, and cybersecurity engineer.

• You can increase your penetration tester salary or salary in a related cybersecurity role by targeting high-demand locations and industries, as well as high-paying positions. 

Learn more about possible CompTIA PenTest+ salary details, including the earnings associated with various roles and factors that may impact what you can expect to make. If you want to begin building job-ready cybersecurity skills, including those in artificial intelligence (AI), consider enrolling in the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate. This beginner-friendly, nine-course series takes an average of six months to complete and can help you build a solid foundation in cybersecurity and learn to assess and mitigate vulnerabilities. 

CompTIA PenTest+ salary overview

The CompTIA PenTest+ credential itself doesn’t determine your salary, but it does prepare you for high-paying jobs in cybersecurity. For example, penetration testers earn roughly $154,000 per year, according to Glassdoor [1].

The PenTest+ certification covers penetration testing and cybersecurity protocols. It can help you position yourself for other high-paying jobs, including security analyst, vulnerability assessor, security consultant, and cybersecurity engineer, the salaries of which often exceed six figures. 

Additionally, as organizations continue to face the rising costs of cybersecurity breaches and invest in infrastructure to guard against them, the demand for cybersecurity professionals remains robust. Cybercrime costs an estimated $10.5 trillion worldwide in 2025, a figure predicted to soar to more than $12.2 trillion by 2031 [2]. Additionally, the cost of a data breach averaged $4.4 million in 2025, 9 percent lower than in 2024 [3]. Experts attribute this reduction to faster mitigation efforts in terms of both identification and containment. Earning the PenTest+ certification validates your expertise in proactive cybersecurity and your ability to safeguard your organization against cybercriminals, making you a valued professional. 

Can PenTest+ get you a job? 

Earning a certification like the PenTest+ can help increase your competitiveness in the job market by providing demonstrable proof of your expertise. It’s a well-respected industry credential that validates your job-ready skills in areas such as pen testing, vulnerability management, and testing system defenses. 

CompTIA PenTest+ job opportunities and salary by job role

A CompTIA PenTest+ certification can help you enter the information security field. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates information security jobs will grow at a faster-than-average rate of 29 percent between 2024 and 2034 [3]. 

The credential showcases your broad range of abilities, including planning, complying with regulations and ethics, preparing reports, performing both active and passive information gathering, using cybersecurity reconnaissance tools like Wireshark and Nmap, performing vulnerability scans and validating the results, executing attacks and exploiting vulnerabilities, and offering recommendations for ongoing protective strategies. 

Given the scope of your skills, you may opt to pursue a career as a penetration tester (pen tester) or related roles in the field. Explore a few opportunities in more detail as you consider your potential career path.

Penetration tester

Median total salary: $154,000 [1]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, information systems, or related area of study is common; experience and certification can provide an alternate path

As a pen tester, you will execute penetration testing, from planning to execution to reporting. Common tasks include conducting attacks within legal and regulatory frameworks, analyzing results, and reporting findings to leadership and relevant stakeholders, along with recommendations to protect information, networks, and systems. You'll likely also spend time researching current and emerging hacking strategies and techniques to provide the most effective testing possible.

Security analyst

Median total salary: $125,000 [5]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree at a minimum is common; some employers prefer you have a master’s degree 

In this position, you will likely look for weak points in the company's security measures, viewing networks and systems through the eyes of cybercriminals. As a security analyst, you may conduct tests, including simulated attacks. Other common tasks include performing risk assessments, implementing security measures, educating yourself on current and emerging threats, and developing strategies to mitigate damages in the event of a security breach.

Vulnerability assessor

Median total salary: $139,000 [6]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or information security is common; entry with experience and certification is also possible

Like penetration testers, vulnerability analysts also work to reduce cybersecurity risks by thinking like cybercriminals to protect their company's networks, software, and systems. Additionally, you might establish policies for vulnerability management, train others accordingly, and monitor networks and workstations for security breaches. Common skills you’ll need include penetration testing, vulnerability assessment and management, and programming languages such as Python and C++.

Security consultant

Median total salary: $130,000 [7]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or cybersecurity is common; advanced roles may require a master’s; certification can provide additional credibility

As a security consultant, you will focus on identifying security vulnerabilities in networks, programs, and systems. You'll develop solutions to safeguard systems from hackers, optimize security protections to ensure efficiency, build a security architecture, update security processes and procedures, and communicate findings to stakeholders. 

Cybersecurity engineer

Median total salary: $162,000 [8]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in information security or computer science is common; certification can supplement a degree or provide an alternate pathway to entering the field

In this role, you will create, implement, and maintain security solutions, including intrusion detection systems. In your work as a cybersecurity engineer, you will also detect vulnerabilities, ensure your company remains compliant with all security regulations and policies, and actively prevent cybersecurity breaches. Common skills include ethical hacking, penetration testing, and secure coding.

Factors that influence CompTIA PenTest+ salary

Some significant factors that can influence your salary and the demand for your skills include your experience level, location, and industry. You might also balance your salary requirements with job availability. For example, although areas like Phoenix, Arizona, may not make the list of top-paying cities, it does offer lower costs of living and a strong cybersecurity job market. 

How experience impacts earning potential

Work experience hones your skill set and can often offset any gaps in formal education. Although the impact varies depending on your role and the company you work for, you can generally anticipate your earning potential increasing as you gain professional experience. For example, a pen tester with up to one year of experience earns a median total salary of $115,000, while someone with seven to nine years makes $166,000, according to Glassdoor [4]. Likewise, an entry-level cybersecurity engineer earns $122,000, but those with seven to nine years have salaries of $157,000 [8]. 

How location impacts salary details

Where you work is another factor that significantly influences your salary, particularly in non-executive-level roles. Large metropolitan areas often boast higher wages, but the cost of living in those areas may offset the increase in salary. That’s something to keep in mind as you consider your CompTIA PenTest+ salary potential. For a better idea of how location affects earning power, consider the five highest-paying cities for cybersecurity specialists, according to Zippia [9]: 

• Bellevue, Washington: $113,223

• Washington, DC: $107,944

• Eugene, Oregon: $104,059

• Santa Clara, California: $103,048

• New York, New York: $99,619

Strategies to increase CompTIA PenTest+ salary

Stacking your profile with additional certifications could help further increase your earning potential and marketability. In general, certifications can boost income by up to 30 percent [10]. Pursuing high-paying cybersecurity credentials, such as Google Professional Cloud Architect, Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or CompTIA Security+, could help you earn more while also boosting your career prospects. Other strategies to consider include the following: 

• Look for a high-paying industry: For example, the median total salary for a penetration tester in information technology is $135,275, and $102,657 in government and public administration [4].

• Follow demand: Cybersecurity professionals remain in high demand across all sectors, particularly in information technology and cloud computing, finance, health care, government, and defense. 

• Develop specialized skills: Specializing in in-demand cybersecurity areas may help increase your earning power. For example, an applications security engineer earns a median total salary of $182,000, while a malware analyst earns $127,000 [11, 12]. 

Which CompTIA makes the most money?

If you’re interested in building a career that ultimately earns a high salary, you may want to invest in CompTIA certifications like Security X. This advanced-level credential helps advance your career, showing that you have the skills needed to take on managerial positions, and ultimately a job like chief information security officer (CISO), which has a median total salary of $323,000 [13]. 

Job market demand for PenTest+ certified professionals

Getting an industry-standard credential that validates your cybersecurity skills, including your ability to conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, can make you a more marketable candidate. Furthermore, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals remains high, with an above-average job outlook. 

Still, you may have better odds when looking at positions and openings in high-demand industries and locations. Explore these two additional factors to help make a well-informed decision regarding your career trajectory.

Read more: Are Cybersecurity Jobs in Demand?

High-demand industries

As AI continues its widespread adoption across sectors, it also reshapes the cybersecurity landscape. Along with increased cybercrime and risk, demand for skilled professionals continues in several industries, including the defense industry and the US Army. Other high-demand industries include the following:

• Banking and financial services

• Governmental agencies and departments

• Health care

• Pharmaceuticals

• Manufacturing

• Retail and e-commerce

• Business 

• Information technology

Geographic hotspots for cybersecurity jobs

Some regions and locations boast higher cybersecurity demand than others. Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the hotspots you might consider. A few others, many of which boast a strong academic presence and notable employers driving the demand, include: 

• Austin, Texas: Home to the University of Texas, which conducts advanced research and development in the field of cybersecurity, and significant employers like CrowdStrike and IBM, along with a rich start-up culture

• Raleigh, North Carolina: Home to the Research Triangle (a trio of universities: Duke, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and a hub of innovation, Raleigh is also home to an increasing number of tech companies.

• Chicago, Illinois: Demand for cybersecurity professionals specializing in health care, finance, industrial operations, and logistics fuels job growth here, along with software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies and Fortune 500 companies that need skilled professionals.

• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Once known for its steel, Pittsburgh now has a reputation as a hub for robotics and as home to major employers like Deloitte, BNY Mellon, and Howmet Aerospace.

• Detroit, Michigan: This automotive hub also leads demand for automotive cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and AI-powered security, with growing demand for embedded security.

The salary information above is the median total pay from Glassdoor as of April 2026. These figures include both base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other forms of compensation.

Explore our free cybersecurity resources

Keep up with emerging technologies and trends across all industries, and gain insights into professional pathways with a subscription to Career Chat, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter. Also, consider checking out our cybersecurity-focused resources to help develop your skills and knowledge base: 

• Watch on YouTube: How to Launch a Cybersecurity Career Without a College Degree

• Find your path: Cybersecurity Career Paths: Explore Roles & Specializations

• Hear from an insider: Meet the IT Support Tech Advancing Toward a Cybersecurity Career

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