Do you have a sound understanding of programming languages, networking protocols, and cybersecurity principles? Penetration testing might be a great career for you. Penetration testers have strong analytical skills for assessing and mitigating threats. Adhering to legal guidelines and ethical conduct are critical requirements because penetration testing involves prodding systems without causing any damage or unauthorized access. If these things interest you, this role might be a great fit for you. It is lucrative too, considering the high pen-testing salary. Let me walk you through the skills required to become a penetration tester, the penetration tester's salary, and everything else you need to thrive in this field.
Who is a Penetration Tester?
An individual who specializes in evaluating the safety of computer networks, software programs, and hardware is referred to as a penetration tester. They replicate actual attempts at breaching cybersecurity using various tools and methods so that they can identify vulnerability points before they are exploited with malicious intent.
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Penetration Tester Salary in 2024
A pen tester salary varies depending on experience levels and location factors like regional differences in salary scales between countries across the globe (depending on the cost of living) associated with tax rates applied locally by governments where companies operate that may influence how much each employee earns per year. However, there might also be some other reasons why this difference in salary for penetration testers exists (e.g., education requirements, etc.).
A mid-level professional penetration tester's pay is about USD 90k to USD 120k per annum. Entry-level penetration testers' salaries are somewhere around USD 60k to USD 80k annually, up until they gain more experience in such roles over time.
ZipRecruiter
Time Frame | Average Salary |
Per Hour | USD 51 |
Per Month | USD 8339 |
Per Year | USD 117,775 |
Source: Indeed
Acquiring specific skill sets will allow them to command a higher salary of a penetration tester over time. The government, banking, and technology sectors often pay better security tester salary. Additionally, learning Cyber Security courses online or having certifications like Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) can lead to the well-paid salary of the penetration tester.
Penetration Tester Salary: Based on Experience
Let’s look into penetration testing job salary based on experience levels.
1. Beginner
Depending on the region and the company, a junior pen tester's salary ranges from USD 50,000 to USD 80,000. These people are usually certified ethical hackers (CEH) and have 0 – 2 years of experience in their field. (Source: Payscale) If you want to increase your prospective salary, professional certifications like Certified Ethical Hacker Certification (CEH) can be helpful.
2. Intermediate
Mid-level penetration testers with two to five years of experience can expect to earn about USD 90,000 to USD 120,000 per annum. In this category, advanced qualifications such as the OSCP could yield higher pay.
3. Advanced
Senior pen testers salary who have more than five years of experience and expertise can get a salary of at least USD 150,000 or more, depending on various factors. These factors include qualification, the industry sector (government, finance, technology, etc.), and so on. The salary of a licensed penetration tester can be high up the scale, too.
Penetration tester Salary: Based on Location
Here’s is a general overview of the average pen tester salary based on different locations:
A. India
The salary of penetration testers in India is contingent on qualifications and experience.
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (INR) |
Bangalore | TCS, Infosys, Wipro | INR 9,20,000 |
Hyderabad | Experian, TCS, Infosys | INR 9,60,000 |
New Delhi | Ministry of Defense, TCS, Claranet | INR 7,50,000 |
Source: Ambitionbox
B. US
Penetration tester average salary in the US ranges between USD 60,000 and USD 200,000 per year based on experience, location, etc.
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (USD) |
Washington, D.C | Allied Universal, Admiral Security, Coast National Security | USD 117,000 |
Seattle | Allied Universal, Amazon, Northwest Security Services | USD 131,000 |
San Francisco | US Department of Homeland Security, Allied Universal, Andrew International Security, Services | USD 130,000 |
Source: Indeed
C. UK
In the UK, pen tester jobs typically pay between GBP 25,000 and GBP 90,000 per annum. Senior pen tester salaries can go beyond that, making it a lucrative job in the UK.
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (GBP) |
Birmingham | Concept, BBC, PWC | GBP 51, 500 |
Lanchester | Concepts, Google, KPMG | GBP 52,000 |
London | Meta, Capgemini, Morgan Stanley | GBP 60,000 |
Source: Indeed
D. Australia
In Australia, penetration testers earn anywhere between AUD 80,000 to AUD 150,000 on average. Senior pen tester salaries are significantly higher than that of beginners owing to their experience.
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (AUD) |
Canberra | Microsoft, Fortinet | AUD 125,000 |
Sydney | IT Alliance, KPMG | AUD 215,000 |
Melbourne | Ernst Young, Wipro, PWC | AUD 103,000 |
Source: Indeed
E. Canada
The average salaries of penetration testers in Canada are based on various factors.
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (CAD) |
Ottawa | IBM, Export Development Canda, Deloitte | CAD 114,500 |
Vancouver | Microsoft, Translink, Deloitte | CAD 98,500 |
Toronto | Google, Wipro, Lancesoft | CAD 117,500 |
Source: Indeed
F. Singapore
The average salaries of penetration testers in Singapore are based on various factors listed below.
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (SGD) (Per month) |
Bukit Merah | CSIT, PWC, TCS | SGD 13,150 |
Kallang | Tech Rise People, TCS, Dexian Asia Pacific | SGD 8700 |
Singapore city | JP Morgan & Chase, DBS bank, Wipro | SGD 7000 |
Source: Indeed
Factors Affecting Penetration Tester Salary
1. Location
While considering penetration tester salaries, location is one of the vital factors due to varying costs of living and demand for cybersecurity expertise. For example, in India, companies such as top IT organizations in Bangalore, Mumbai, or Delhi pay their employees anywhere between INR 6,00,000 and INR 15,00,000 per year (Source: ZipRecruiter).
In the United States, average earnings for pen testers may range from USD 80,000 to USD 150,000 annually (Source: Indeed) depending on their level and the city involved, such as San Francisco, New York City, and Washington D.C. Likewise, larger cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh can also offer an annual salary ranging from GBP 30, 000 to GBP 55, 000 (Source: Glassdoor) to individuals based on their pay scale in the UK.
2. Industry / Employer / Company
The employer’s name also greatly impacts these wages, which also differ based on industry. For instance, the government, technology, and finance sectors are often more lucrative because cyber security plays a major role in these industries, so these employees are highly compensated. Major companies, including Google, Microsoft, and financial institutions, offer premium rates that attract talented penetration testers and sometimes even retain them within their staff. The salaries can go up to USD 170,000 (Source: Indeed) or more, depending on the company you are working for.
3. Experience
Another important factor affecting how much a pentester makes is the experience level. Entry-level people who engage in ethical hacking generally make less money than senior-level specialists who have been involved in this sphere for several years. For example, in the US, freshers could start with USD 80,000 per year, intermediate professionals can earn about USD 110,000 per year and senior pen testers are paid around USD 170,000 or more.
4. Demand and Supply
A shortage of skilled penetration testers compared to talent has been the key driver behind higher compensation. For this reason, companies are willing to spend more on qualified individuals who can ensure security for their systems and data since cybercrime is continuously evolving. As a result, demand is increasing, which has translated into high pay, particularly in areas where cybersecurity experts are scarce. This has also led to an increase in freelance pentester salary.
5. Credentials / Certifications
The remunerations of a penetration tester can be highly affected by certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). In addition, these professionals receive a better salary because they have made their name in the industry and possess unique skills.
6. Skills
Salary impacts could also arise from advanced technology proficiency in cryptography, network security, and penetration testing tools. Therefore, people who know several programming languages, are skilled in reverse engineering and exploit creation earn way more network penetration tester salary than ave rage.
The following skills can boost the salary of penetration testers by over 45%
- GitHub
- Ansible
- Docker
- Azure
How to Improve Penetration Tester Salary?
1. Skills
Improving one’s technical expertise within areas of network security or cryptography and cyber security software will increase the penetration tester’s salary. Competence in operating systems, fluency in programming languages, and familiarity with state-of-the-art protection devices can make you a great pick for potential employers.
2. Certifications
it is possible for a penetration tester salary to increase significantly through obtaining credentials recognized by the industry like CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), or OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional). CISA training classes can also add to your skills and credibility, which in turn will increase your salary.
Demonstrating competency through certificates makes someone come across as a professional that any firm looking for authoritative cybersecurity experts would want to hire. They also show commitment towards continuous professional development, making them even more attractive to employers seeking competent cybersecurity practitioners.
3. Degrees
Earning additional degrees within computer science, cybersecurity, or related fields can enable one to land higher penetration tester salary jobs when entering the penetration testing career. By possessing master’s or even Ph.D. degrees, employers appreciate that an individual has specialized knowledge and understands how to conduct research, thereby enhancing one’s earning potential.
4. Experience
Hands-on experience through internships, entry-level positions, and practical projects is crucial for developing a career and raising the pen tester’s salary. As they accumulate years of experience and a track record of finished assignments, Penetration Testers become appealing candidates for positions with high remuneration. Thus, participating in capture-the-flag events, attending industry conferences, and having a mentor, among other ways of advancing careers, helps improve skills and expertise, leading to increased pay.
Why Are Penetration Testers Paid So Much?
Penetration testers receive high salaries since they play a crucial role in guarding secret information and systems against cyber crimes. Their special abilities and vulnerability identification expertise help prevent potentially devastating security breaches, which may save organizations millions of dollars from possible damages. Another reason for the increase in cyber security penetration tester salaries is the lack of a skilled workforce, which is against the increasing demand for cybersecurity experts.
Conclusion
Let me sum this up for you. Several elements impact the pay of penetration testers, such as industry, location, experience, supply and demand dynamics, certifications, and talents. You should factor these things when looking into the cybersecurity job market for better-paying jobs.
Penetration testers can position themselves well to progress in the cybersecurity field and get higher wages if they concentrate on developing core competencies, acquiring certifications, pursuing advanced degrees, and obtaining some invaluable experience. Furthermore, continuing education, keeping up with changes in the sector, and connecting with peers and experts can result in long-term wage growth along with career success.
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