As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Tester I in the United States is $84,532 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, a Penetration Tester I'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
AI-Powered Talent
A Penetration Tester I'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 Penetration Tester I'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 Tester I | 0-2 years | $84,532 |
| Penetration Tester II | 2-4 years | $101,753 |
| Penetration Tester III | 4-7 years | $130,465 |
| Penetration Tester IV | 7+ years | $149,962 |
| Penetration Tester V | 7-10 years | $174,290 |
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 Penetration Tester Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Penetration Tester I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,548. While startup companies pay approximate $79,960.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $79,960 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $84,570 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $91,304 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $94,548 |
For Penetration Tester I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Penetration Tester positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Penetration Tester I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $101,438 | $49.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $101,438 | $49.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $97,212 | $47.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $92,985 | $45.0 | 10% |
| MFG Durable | $92,985 | $45.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Penetration Tester I'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 July 01, 2026For a Penetration Tester I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration Tester II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $101,753 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Salaries for a Penetration Tester I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $76,778 in 2023 to around $75,796 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Penetration Tester I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $76,778 |
| 2024 | $76,385 |
| 2025 | $75,796 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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 Penetration Tester I and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Penetration Tester I 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.
A Penetration Tester I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Penetration Tester I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Penetration Tester I is $106,620.
The highest pay for Penetration Tester I is $98,788.
The lowest pay for Penetration Tester I is $73,388.
Performs penetration testing to assess and identify security vulnerabilities of networks, applications, and systems. Conducts manual and automated penetration tests including black-box, gray-box, and white-box. Evaluates findings and performs root cause analysis to identify weaknesses, misconfigurations, or other flaws in the environment that could lead to security compromises. Documents testing results and presents suggestions for the development of countermeasures, security improvements, and mitigation strategies. Utilizes a variety of assessment tools, such as Nmap, BurpSuite, Kali Linux and scripting languages like Bash, Python, Perl, or Ruby. Familiar with red team testing protocols and cybersecurity frameworks like OWASP, OSSTMM and PTES. Stays up to date with the latest security threats, techniques, and tools to continuously improve penetration testing methodologies. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science. May require GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT), and/or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certificate. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.
The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Penetration Tester I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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:
