Penetration Testers Salary in Los Angeles, CA
In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Penetration Testers in Los Angeles, CA have a median annual salary of $109,700, with 20,060 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $49,720 at the 10th percentile to $203,490 at the 90th percentile.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22
Salary overview
Median annual salary
$109,700
Data year: 2025
Hourly median
$52.74
Employment
20,060
Source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS
Salary distribution
$49,720
10th
$72,340
25th
$109,700
Median
$163,210
75th
$203,490
90th
Local compared with national
Los Angeles, CA
$109,700
Median annual · 2025
United States
$116,580
Median annual · 2025
The Los Angeles, CA median is 5.9% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $6,880).
Top skills
- 1.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.4
- 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
- 3.WritingImportance 4.0
- 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
- 5.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.9
- 6.ProgrammingImportance 3.9
- 7.Active LearningImportance 3.6
- 8.Systems EvaluationImportance 3.6
- 9.MonitoringImportance 3.5
- 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.5
- 11.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.5
- 12.SpeakingImportance 3.4
Career information
Education and experience
- Experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
- Job zone
- 4
Technology used
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Ansible software
- Apple iOS
- Apple macOS
- Bash
- C
- C#
- C++
- Database management systems
- Docker
- Firewall software
- Ghidra
- GitHub
- Go
- Google Android
Common tasks
- Test the security of systems by attempting to gain access to networks, Web-based applications, or computers.
- Document penetration test findings.
- Identify security system weaknesses, using penetration tests.
- Write audit reports to communicate technical and procedural findings and recommend solutions.
- Gather cyber intelligence to identify vulnerabilities.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of hacking trends.
- Keep up with new penetration testing tools and methods.
- Identify new threat tactics, techniques, or procedures used by cyber threat actors.
- Conduct network and security system audits, using established criteria.
- Develop security penetration testing processes, such as wireless, data networks, and telecommunication security tests.
Related careers
Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Quality Control Analysts
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Database Architects
- Computer Network Architects
- Intelligence Analysts
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Digital Forensics Analysts
- Security Managers
- Security Management Specialists
Penetration Testers salary in other locations
- Penetration Testers Salary in San Jose, CAMedian $184,430
- Penetration Testers Salary in San Francisco, CAMedian $161,700
- Penetration Testers Salary in Denver, COMedian $160,520
- Penetration Testers Salary in Washington, DCMedian $156,640
- Penetration Testers Salary in DCMedian $156,590
- Penetration Testers Salary in Hagerstown, MDMedian $148,700
- Penetration Testers Salary in Boulder, COMedian $147,590
- Penetration Testers Salary in MDMedian $144,680
- Penetration Testers Salary in Lexington Park, MDMedian $144,680
- Penetration Testers Salary in Charlottesville, VAMedian $144,580
- Penetration Testers Salary in Bridgeport, CTMedian $140,750
- Penetration Testers Salary in COMedian $139,580
Other occupations in Los Angeles, CA
- Radiologists Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $488,670
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $433,520
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- General Internal Medicine Physicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $303,980
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $301,240
- Nurse Anesthetists Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $282,930
- Dentists, All Other Specialists Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $241,090
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