Penetration Testers salary in the United States
$55,940
10th
$79,370
25th
$116,580
Median
$157,500
75th
$188,470
90th
National median
$116,580
2025 OEWS
Mean
$122,230
Hourly median
$56.05
Employment
435,370
Top paying locations with published data
| Location | Median | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $184,430 | 16,680 |
| San Francisco, CA | $161,700 | 16,930 |
| Denver, CO | $160,520 | 7,850 |
| Washington, DC | $156,640 | — |
| DC | $156,590 | 17,200 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $148,700 | 350 |
| Boulder, CO | $147,590 | 1,120 |
| MD | $144,680 | 19,060 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $144,680 | 1,000 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $144,580 | 220 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $140,750 | 800 |
| CO | $139,580 | 11,800 |
| VA | $139,030 | 17,000 |
| DE | $137,470 | 860 |
| Seattle, WA | $136,120 | 10,710 |
| Baltimore, MD | $135,600 | 9,010 |
| CA | $134,440 | 80,150 |
| Salinas, CA | $131,730 | 500 |
| Charleston, SC | $131,600 | 1,590 |
| Columbus, OH | $129,940 | 2,410 |
| Austin, TX | $129,470 | 10,100 |
| WA | $128,940 | 14,360 |
| Jackson, MI | $128,570 | 110 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $128,390 | 670 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $127,820 | 870 |
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025. Published survey snapshot, not a real-time market rate.