Penetration Tester Salary: Your 2026 Guide

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Learn about average penetration tester salaries based on experience, location, industry, and more.

[Featured Image] A penetration tester works on a laptop in their office.

Key takeaways

  • The median annual penetration tester salary in the United States is $155,000 [1].

  • An entry-level penetration tester salary is $117,000 per year, as of July 2026 [1].

  • Penetration testing is a good career with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasting 16,000 job openings for information security analysts between 2024 and 2034 [2].

Meta, Atlassian, and Amazon Web Services are among the highest-paying companies for penetration testers. Learn more about penetration tester salaries and the factors that determine them.

Afterward, if you’re ready to take your first step toward a career in cybersecurity, enroll in the IBM Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to execute simulated attacks, develop threat mitigation strategies, and report security vulnerabilities in accordance with legal and organizational standards.

What is a penetration tester?

Penetration testers, also known as white hat hackers or ethical hackers, identify vulnerabilities to help organizations secure their systems, data, and devices. Taking proactive measures, also known as offensive security, helps organizations protect against cyberattacks.

What is the salary of a penetration tester?

According to Glassdoor, the median annual salary for penetration testers in the US is $155,000 as of July 2026 [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses. Various factors can influence your salary as a pen tester, including experience, skills, certifications, industry, and location. You can learn more about each of the factors that impact your earning potential in the following sections.

Experience

As you gain more professional experience, your earning power tends to increase. The approximate average base salary you can anticipate based on your years of experience is as follows [1]:

  • Entry-level penetration tester salary (0–1 year): $117,000

  • Junior penetration tester salary (1–3 years): $130,000

  • Mid-level penetration tester salary (4–6 years): $156,000

  • Senior penetration tester salary (7–9 years): $168,000

In-demand skills

Certain skills or specializations can lead to higher pay and increase your competitiveness in the job market. Here are a few commonly requested skills for this role, according to Payscale, alongside average annual salaries [3]:

  • Vulnerability assessment: $104,063

  • Network security management: $79,047

  • Security testing and auditing: $103,222

Read more: What Are the Different Types of Penetration Testing?

Certified penetration tester salary

Earning relevant certifications can increase your income potential, as organizations often value certified professionals who can significantly strengthen their cybersecurity initiatives. Below are some industry-recognized certifications and Professional Certificates worth exploring:

  • GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

Industry

The industry you choose to work in can also influence your annual income. Below is a list of industries that tend to offer high salaries for penetration testers, based on Glassdoor data as of July 2026 [1]:

  • Information technology: $135,275

  • Human resources and staffing: $113,645

  • Management and consulting: $109,495

  • Government and public administration: $102,657

Location

Your income can vary considerably based on your geographic location, with certain cities offering salaries above average. If you're open to relocating, exploring location-specific salary data can help you make an informed decision. However, keep in mind that if you live in a location with a high cost of living, you’ll require a higher salary than you would in a location with a lower cost of living to afford the same lifestyle.

Highest-paying cities for penetration testers

The following are the top-paying cities for penetration testers in the US [4]:

  • Colorado Springs, CO: $145,079

  • McLean, VA: $140,817

  • New York, NY: $132,375

  • Chantilly, VA: $123,194

  • Denver, CO: $121,779

Company

Pay varies between firms based on several factors, including company size, financial health, and your level of experience and expertise. Company policies can further impact pay variations. In essence, the differences in pay between companies are influenced by a combination of factors, and it's vital to consider these elements when evaluating job offers and negotiating your compensation.

Highest-paying companies for penetration testers

The following list highlights salary ranges for top-paying companies in the US as of July 2026, according to Glassdoor [1]:

  • Meta: $153,000–$268,000

  • Atlassian: $139,000–$239,000

  • Amazon Web Services: $138,000–$236,000

  • PayPal: $131,000–$228,000

  • Google: $134,000 to $232,000

Demand for penetration testers

The US BLS predicts a 29 percent increase for information security analysts, a job category that encompasses penetration testers, from 2024 to 2034, with around 16,000 new openings each year [2]. Related job titles to consider include security analyst, ethical hacker, and vulnerability assessment analyst [5].

Explore our free resources to build skills as a pen tester

Subscribe to Career Chat on LinkedIn to keep track of popular skills, tools, and certifications. Learn more about cybersecurity with our other free digital resources:

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Article sources

1. 

Glassdoor. “Salary: Penetration Tester in the United States, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/penetration-tester-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm.” Accessed July 14, 2026.

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