Penetration Tester Salary: Your 2026 Guide - Coursera

Penetration Tester Salary: Your 2026 Guide Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on Jul 22, 2026 Share Learn about average penetration tester salaries based on experience, location, industry, and more. 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. IBM Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools professional certificate Intermediate level · 2 month(s) Skills you'll build: Incident Management, Vulnerability Management, Cybersecurity, Information Systems Security, Threat Management, Cyber Security Assessment, Bash (Scripting Language), AI Security, Network Monitoring, Penetration Testing, Incident Response, Vulnerability Scanning, Network Analysis, Anomaly Detection, Network Security, Exploit development, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Detection, Vulnerability Assessments, Linux Administration, Digital Forensics, Network Protocols, Computer Security, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Technical Communication, System Configuration, Technical Writing, Emergency Response, Risk Mitigation, Cyber Security Policies, Security Strategy, Data Persistence, Human Factors (Security), Vulnerability, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Ethics, Cyber Governance, Risk Analysis 4.6 (195 ratings) professional certificate IBM Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools Master key ethical hacking tools in just 2 months. Explore Kali Linux, Wireshark, Metasploit & OpenVAS for pen testing & vulnerability assessment. 4.6 (195 ratings) 18,549 already enrolled Intermediate level Learn More Average time: 2 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Incident Management, Vulnerability Management, Cybersecurity, Information Systems Security, Threat Management, Cyber Security Assessment, Bash (Scripting Language), AI Security, Network Monitoring, Penetration Testing, Incident Response, Vulnerability Scanning, Network Analysis, Anomaly Detection, Network Security, Exploit development, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Detection, Vulnerability Assessments, Linux Administration, Digital Forensics, Network Protocols, Computer Security, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Technical Communication, System Configuration, Technical Writing, Emergency Response, Risk Mitigation, Cyber Security Policies, Security Strategy, Data Persistence, Human Factors (Security), Vulnerability, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Ethics, Cyber Governance, Risk Analysis 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: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate Google Cloud Cybersecurity Professional Certificate IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) Master GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN) Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Cryptography course Intermediate level · 17 hour(s) Skills you'll build: Security Testing, Threat Detection, Test Planning, Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Application Security, MITRE ATT&CK Framework, Brute-force attacks, Exploitation techniques, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cryptography, Cyber Threat Hunting, Vulnerability Scanning, Encryption, AI Integrations 4.6 (2,534 ratings) course Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Cryptography The cost of a security breach averages nearly $5M (IBM) and is increasing every year. So, businesses are always looking for professionals who can anticipate ... 4.6 (2,534 ratings) 116,346 already enrolled Intermediate level Learn More Average time: 17 hour(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Security Testing, Threat Detection, Test Planning, Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Application Security, MITRE ATT&CK Framework, Brute-force attacks, Exploitation techniques, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cryptography, Cyber Threat Hunting, Vulnerability Scanning, Encryption, AI Integrations 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: Read our Career Chat issue: 8 Cybersecurity Certifications for Career Growth Watch on YouTube: Human + AI: The Future of Cybersecurity Learn essential terminology: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses. Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus Start 7-day free trial Start 7-day free trial 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. View all sources Keep reading What Is OSCP Certification and Is It Worth It? 2026 Guide 5 min read · December 4, 2025 What Is Computer Forensics? Types, Techniques, and Careers 7 min read · November 3, 2025 What Is a Cryptographer? 2026 Career Guide 7 min read · December 4, 2025 What Is Access Control? September 22, 2025 What Is Malware? September 11, 2025 What Is InfoSec? Meaning, Jobs, Certification, and More 10 min read · October 24, 2025 Updated on Jul 22, 2026 Share Written by: Coursera Staff Editorial Team Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact... This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals. Opt-Out Request Honored Cookies Preference Center Cookies are small text files downloaded to your device via your web browser when you interact with the Site. Coursera and our approved third parties use cookies for the purposes described below under each of the category headings. 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