As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Vulnerability Tester V in the United States is $174,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.
However, a Vulnerability Tester V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Recruit with AI
A Vulnerability Tester V's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Vulnerability Tester V's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration and Vulnerability Analyst III | 4-7 years | $130,473 |
| Penetration and Vulnerability Analyst IV | 7+ years | $149,968 |
| Vulnerability Tester V | 7-10 years | $174,295 |
| Penetration and Vulnerability Manager | 10+ years | $139,372 |
| Penetration and Vulnerability Senior Manager | 10+ years | $170,754 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Vulnerability Tester Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Vulnerability Tester V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $195,108. While startup companies pay approximate $165,056.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $165,056 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $174,567 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $188,411 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $195,108 |
For Vulnerability Tester V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Vulnerability Tester positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Vulnerability Tester V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $217,862 | $105.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $209,148 | $101.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $209,148 | $101.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $209,148 | $101.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $200,433 | $96.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Vulnerability Tester V's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026For a Vulnerability Tester V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration and Vulnerability Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $139,400 - a projected growth of -20% over your current level.
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Vulnerability Tester V and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Vulnerability Tester V job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Vulnerability Tester V roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
How much do QA testers make? The average salary for Vulnerability Testers in the US ranges from $167,790 to $203,190, with a mid-salary of $185,390. This reflects a higher earning potential compared to general QA testers, highlighting the specialized skills required in vulnerability testing.
One of the highest paid security jobs is a Vulnerability Tester, with a salary range of approximately $167,790 to $203,190 per year. This role is critical in identifying and mitigating security risks, making it essential for organizations to protect their assets and data. Other high-paying positions include Security Architect and Security Operations Engineer.
Vulnerability management is not typically considered entry-level. Many employers expect candidates for vulnerability tester roles to have 1-3 years of experience in information technology, cybersecurity, or computer science. The salary for this position ranges from $167,790 to $203,190, reflecting the expertise required in the field.
The salary for a Vulnerability Tester ranges from ₹1,67,790 to ₹2,03,190 per year, with a mid-range salary of ₹1,85,390.
The salary of a Vulnerability Tester ranges from $167,790 to $203,190, with a mid-range salary of $185,390. This reflects the compensation for professionals in this field, highlighting the potential earnings based on experience and expertise.
The highest salary for a Vulnerability Tester can reach up to $203,190 per year. In comparison, top-paying companies for QA testers offer salaries ranging from approximately $90K to $187K annually. This highlights the significant earning potential for specialized roles like Vulnerability Testers in the tech industry.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
