Technology60% remote-eligible+8.2% YoY growth

Penetration Tester Salary
by City (2026)

Conduct authorized cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks. National median: $118K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$118K

Top 10% earn

$195K

Entry level

$88K

Salary growth

+8.2%/yr

Penetration Tester salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$145K	$195K	$251K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$139K	$186K	$240K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$131K	$176K	$226K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$130K	$175K	$225K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$130K	$174K	$225K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$130K	$174K	$225K	185	11%
Seattle, WA	$125K	$168K	$216K	150	None ✓
Bellevue, WA	$125K	$168K	$216K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$124K	$166K	$214K	172	9.3%
Washington, DC	$123K	$165K	$213K	152	8.5%
Boston, MA	$121K	$163K	$210K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$121K	$163K	$210K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$120K	$162K	$208K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$120K	$162K	$208K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$119K	$160K	$206K	162	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$119K	$159K	$205K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$119K	$159K	$205K	148	5.75%
Stamford, CT	$117K	$157K	$202K	158	6.99%
Newark, NJ	$116K	$156K	$201K	155	10.75%
Hilo, HI	$116K	$155K	$200K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$114K	$153K	$198K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$113K	$152K	$196K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$113K	$151K	$195K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$112K	$151K	$194K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$112K	$151K	$194K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$111K	$149K	$192K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$111K	$149K	$192K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$109K	$145K	$187K	140	10.75%
Austin, TX	$107K	$144K	$185K	110	None ✓
Chula Vista, CA	$108K	$144K	$186K	138	9.3%
Portland, OR	$107K	$144K	$185K	130	9.9%
Edison, NJ	$108K	$144K	$186K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$108K	$144K	$186K	138	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$104K	$139K	$179K	128	9.3%
Tacoma, WA	$104K	$139K	$179K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$104K	$139K	$179K	118	4.55%
Plano, TX	$101K	$136K	$175K	105	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$101K	$136K	$175K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$101K	$136K	$175K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$101K	$136K	$175K	120	5%
Salt Lake City, UT	$101K	$136K	$175K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$101K	$136K	$175K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$101K	$136K	$175K	192	11%
New Haven, CT	$100K	$134K	$173K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$99K	$133K	$171K	120	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$99K	$132K	$170K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$99K	$132K	$170K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$99K	$132K	$170K	123	None ✓
Durham, NC	$99K	$132K	$170K	100	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$99K	$132K	$170K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$99K	$132K	$170K	106	6.8%
Frisco, TX	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$98K	$131K	$169K	118	5.99%
Hialeah, FL	$97K	$130K	$167K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$97K	$130K	$167K	115	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$97K	$130K	$167K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$97K	$130K	$167K	115	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$97K	$130K	$167K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$97K	$130K	$167K	102	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$97K	$130K	$167K	115	4.25%
Provo, UT	$97K	$130K	$167K	100	4.85%
Frederick, MD	$97K	$130K	$167K	115	5.75%
Hartford, CT	$97K	$130K	$167K	118	6.99%
Portland, ME	$97K	$130K	$167K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$97K	$130K	$167K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$97K	$130K	$167K	115	5.99%
Anchorage, AK	$97K	$130K	$167K	128	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$95K	$128K	$164K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$95K	$128K	$164K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$95K	$128K	$164K	112	4.75%
Irving, TX	$95K	$127K	$164K	97	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$95K	$127K	$164K	118	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$95K	$127K	$164K	105	2.5%
St. Paul, MN	$95K	$127K	$164K	104	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$94K	$126K	$163K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$93K	$125K	$161K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$93K	$125K	$161K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$93K	$125K	$161K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$93K	$125K	$161K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$93K	$125K	$161K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$93K	$125K	$161K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$92K	$124K	$160K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$92K	$124K	$160K	93	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$92K	$124K	$160K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$92K	$124K	$160K	100	2.5%
Charlotte, NC	$92K	$124K	$160K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$92K	$124K	$160K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$92K	$124K	$160K	90	3.07%
Reno, NV	$92K	$124K	$160K	108	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$92K	$123K	$159K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$92K	$123K	$159K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$92K	$123K	$159K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$92K	$123K	$159K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$92K	$123K	$159K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$90K	$121K	$156K	102	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$90K	$121K	$156K	102	6.75%
Arlington, TX	$90K	$120K	$155K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$90K	$120K	$155K	91	None ✓
Denton, TX	$89K	$120K	$154K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$89K	$120K	$154K	100	9.3%
Orlando, FL	$90K	$120K	$155K	100	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$89K	$120K	$154K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$89K	$120K	$154K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$89K	$120K	$154K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$89K	$120K	$154K	100	4.85%
Huntsville, AL	$90K	$120K	$155K	88	5%
Overland Park, KS	$89K	$120K	$154K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$89K	$120K	$154K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	5.75%
North Las Vegas, NV	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$89K	$119K	$153K	98	7.15%
St. Petersburg, FL	$88K	$118K	$152K	105	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$88K	$118K	$152K	98	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$88K	$118K	$152K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$88K	$118K	$152K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$88K	$118K	$152K	102	5.3%
Charleston, SC	$88K	$118K	$152K	105	6.5%
Bakersfield, CA	$87K	$117K	$150K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$87K	$117K	$150K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$87K	$117K	$150K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$87K	$117K	$150K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$87K	$117K	$150K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$87K	$117K	$150K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$87K	$117K	$150K	95	6.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$86K	$116K	$149K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$86K	$116K	$149K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$86K	$116K	$149K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$86K	$116K	$149K	102	None ✓
Midland, TX	$86K	$115K	$148K	92	None ✓
Athens, GA	$86K	$115K	$148K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$86K	$115K	$148K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$86K	$115K	$148K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$86K	$115K	$148K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$85K	$114K	$146K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$85K	$114K	$146K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$85K	$114K	$146K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$85K	$114K	$146K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$85K	$114K	$146K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$85K	$114K	$146K	90	2.5%
Cincinnati, OH	$84K	$113K	$146K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$84K	$113K	$146K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$84K	$113K	$146K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$84K	$113K	$146K	90	5.3%
Pasadena, TX	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$84K	$112K	$144K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$84K	$112K	$144K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$84K	$112K	$144K	93	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$84K	$112K	$144K	82	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$84K	$112K	$145K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$82K	$110K	$142K	85	4.9%
San Antonio, TX	$81K	$109K	$140K	87	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$81K	$109K	$140K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$81K	$109K	$140K	95	None ✓
Louisville, KY	$81K	$109K	$140K	85	5%
Des Moines, IA	$81K	$109K	$140K	88	4.82%
Amarillo, TX	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$81K	$108K	$140K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$80K	$107K	$138K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$79K	$106K	$136K	78	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$79K	$106K	$137K	82	3.99%
Toledo, OH	$79K	$106K	$136K	78	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$79K	$106K	$137K	90	4.25%
Evansville, IN	$79K	$106K	$136K	78	3.23%
New Orleans, LA	$79K	$106K	$137K	92	6%
Shreveport, LA	$79K	$106K	$136K	78	6%
Omaha, NE	$79K	$106K	$137K	88	5.84%
Jackson, MS	$79K	$106K	$136K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$79K	$106K	$136K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$78K	$104K	$134K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$77K	$104K	$134K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$77K	$104K	$134K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$77K	$104K	$134K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$77K	$104K	$134K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$77K	$104K	$134K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$77K	$104K	$134K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$77K	$104K	$134K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$77K	$104K	$134K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$77K	$104K	$134K	88	5.9%
Fort Smith, AR	$78K	$104K	$134K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$78K	$104K	$134K	75	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$75K	$100K	$129K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$75K	$100K	$129K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$75K	$100K	$129K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$72K	$97K	$125K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$72K	$97K	$125K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$70K	$94K	$122K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$66K	$89K	$114K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $118K Penetration Tester salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Penetration Tester Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Penetration Tester is $118,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $88,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $152,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Penetration Testers nationally earn $195,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS; CEH, OSCP certifications. This role is 60% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Penetration Tester compensation is growing at 8.2% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Penetration Testers significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Penetration Tester salary FAQ

How much does a Penetration Tester make?

The median Penetration Tester salary in the US is $118,000 per year — about $57/hour. Most earn between $88,000 (25th percentile) and $152,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Penetration Tester?

Entry-level Penetration Tester positions typically start around $88,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Penetration Testers earn?

The top 10% of Penetration Testers earn $195,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Penetration Testers the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Penetration Tester salary at $195K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Penetration Tester salaries going up?

Yes — Penetration Tester pay is growing about 8.2% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Penetration Tester Salaryby City (2026)