TechnologyUpdated Q1 2026

Penetration Tester Salary
in Little Rock, AR

Conduct authorized cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks. Median salary in Little Rock: $97K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$97K
per year
Take-home: $63K

Salary range in Little Rock

Entry level (25th)$72,000
Median (50th)$97,000
Senior (75th)$125,000
Top earner (90th)$160,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Little Rock, Arkansas. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Little Rock

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

18% discount vs national median

Penetration Testers in Little Rock earn approximately 18% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $21,000 discount on annual base salary. Little Rock's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 82 (US avg = 100).

Strong 8.2% annual wage growth

This role's national salaries are growing at 8.2% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Little Rock median reaches $143,849 in five years.

Key facts for Little Rock

Median salary
$97K
annual
Take-home pay
$63K
after fed/state tax
COL index
82
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.9%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$950
per month
YoY growth
+8.2%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Little Rock Penetration Tester to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $97K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Little Rock

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Penetration Tester salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$81K$88K$96K$103K$110K201920212023202520272029
2026
$99K
projected
2027
$102K
projected
2028
$104K
projected
2029
$107K
projected
2030
$110K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$97,000+$0
2028 projected$97,000+$0
2029 projected$97,000+$0
2030 projected$97,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Penetration Tester Salary in Little Rock, Arkansas: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Penetration Tester salary in Little Rock, AR is $97,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Little Rock–AR metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Penetration Tester in Little Rock

Entry-level Penetration Testers in Little Rock with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $72,000 and $97,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $97,000 to $125,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $125,000 to $160,000 or more.

Cost of living in Little Rock for Penetration Testers

Little Rock has a cost of living index of 82 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 18% further in Little Rock than the national average. Arkansas has a 4.9% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Penetration Tester

Bachelor's in CS; CEH, OSCP certifications. This role is 60% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Little Rock-based professionals.

Penetration Tester salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Little Rock (current)$97K82
Fort Smith$89K75
Fayetteville$100K85