Penetration Tester Salary Overview
The Penetration Tester is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $104,200. Compensation typically ranges from $61,300 for entry-level positions to $168,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Penetration Tester in the US earns between $61,300 and $168,600 per year, with a median of $104,200.
Penetration Tester Salary by Experience
Entry-level penetration testers earn around $67,730, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $140,670 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $69,814 | $34/hr | $54,817 |
| Mid | $104,200 | $50/hr | $75,862 |
| Senior | $142,754 | $69/hr | $98,912 |
| Lead | $153,174 | $74/hr | $105,065 |
Penetration Tester Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Penetration Tester in each US state.
Pay for penetration testers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,045 | $7,971 | $76,646 | 26.4% |
| Alaska | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
| Arizona | $104,200 | $14,538 | $2,240 | $7,971 | $79,451 | 23.8% |
| Arkansas | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,359 | $7,971 | $77,332 | 25.8% |
| California | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,828 | $7,971 | $75,862 | 27.2% |
| Colorado | $104,200 | $14,538 | $3,925 | $7,971 | $77,766 | 25.4% |
| Connecticut | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,002 | $7,971 | $76,689 | 26.4% |
| Delaware | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,646 | $7,971 | $76,044 | 27.0% |
| District of Columbia | $104,200 | $14,538 | $6,016 | $7,971 | $75,675 | 27.4% |
| Florida | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
| Georgia | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,062 | $7,971 | $76,629 | 26.5% |
| Hawaii | $104,200 | $14,538 | $7,669 | $7,971 | $74,022 | 29.0% |
| Idaho | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,197 | $7,971 | $76,494 | 26.6% |
| Illinois | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,021 | $7,971 | $76,670 | 26.4% |
| Indiana | $104,200 | $14,538 | $3,178 | $7,971 | $78,513 | 24.7% |
| Iowa | $104,200 | $14,538 | $3,960 | $7,971 | $77,731 | 25.4% |
| Kansas | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,282 | $7,971 | $76,408 | 26.7% |
| Kentucky | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,042 | $7,971 | $77,649 | 25.5% |
| Louisiana | $104,200 | $14,538 | $3,847 | $7,971 | $77,843 | 25.3% |
| Maine | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,913 | $7,971 | $75,778 | 27.3% |
| Maryland | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,780 | $7,971 | $76,911 | 26.2% |
| Massachusetts | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,990 | $7,971 | $76,701 | 26.4% |
| Michigan | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,190 | $7,971 | $77,500 | 25.6% |
| Minnesota | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,635 | $7,971 | $76,056 | 27.0% |
| Mississippi | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,319 | $7,971 | $77,371 | 25.7% |
| Missouri | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,131 | $7,971 | $77,560 | 25.6% |
| Montana | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,040 | $7,971 | $76,650 | 26.4% |
| Nebraska | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,565 | $7,971 | $77,126 | 26.0% |
| Nevada | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
| New Hampshire | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
| New Jersey | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,511 | $7,971 | $77,179 | 25.9% |
| New Mexico | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,111 | $7,971 | $77,580 | 25.5% |
| New York | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,476 | $7,971 | $76,214 | 26.9% |
| North Carolina | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,115 | $7,971 | $77,575 | 25.6% |
| North Dakota | $104,200 | $14,538 | $1,747 | $7,971 | $79,944 | 23.3% |
| Ohio | $104,200 | $14,538 | $2,177 | $7,971 | $79,514 | 23.7% |
| Oklahoma | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,459 | $7,971 | $77,231 | 25.9% |
| Oregon | $104,200 | $14,538 | $8,592 | $7,971 | $73,098 | 29.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $104,200 | $14,538 | $3,199 | $7,971 | $78,492 | 24.7% |
| Rhode Island | $104,200 | $14,538 | $3,714 | $7,971 | $77,977 | 25.2% |
| South Carolina | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,041 | $7,971 | $76,649 | 26.4% |
| South Dakota | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
| Tennessee | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
| Texas | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
| Utah | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,845 | $7,971 | $76,845 | 26.3% |
| Vermont | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,936 | $7,971 | $76,754 | 26.3% |
| Virginia | $104,200 | $14,538 | $5,475 | $7,971 | $76,215 | 26.9% |
| Washington | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
| West Virginia | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,447 | $7,971 | $77,244 | 25.9% |
| Wisconsin | $104,200 | $14,538 | $4,435 | $7,971 | $77,256 | 25.9% |
| Wyoming | $104,200 | $14,538 | $0 | $7,971 | $81,691 | 21.6% |
Top Cities for Penetration Tester Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for penetration testers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $114,620 |
| San Francisco, CA | $114,620 |
| New York, NY | $114,620 |
| Dallas, TX | $114,620 |
| Boston, MA | $114,620 |
Calculate Penetration Tester Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Penetration Tester
Becoming a penetration tester typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Penetration Tester Career Outlook
Employment of penetration testers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Penetration Tester Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for penetration testers in the US is $104,200, with a typical range from $61,300 to $168,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for penetration testers include CA, VA, NY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level penetration testers can expect to earn around $67,730 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a penetration tester can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for penetration testers is approximately $50.10, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.