As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Tester II in the United States is $101,753 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.
However, a Penetration Tester II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Penetration Tester II'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 II'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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Penetration Tester II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $113,810. While startup companies pay approximate $96,249.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $96,249 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $101,799 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $109,905 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $113,810 |
For Penetration Tester II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 44% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Penetration Tester positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Penetration Tester II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $127,191 | $61.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $122,104 | $59.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $120,069 | $58.0 | 18% |
| Biotechnology | $113,963 | $55.0 | 12% |
| Insurance | $111,928 | $54.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Penetration Tester II'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 II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration Tester III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $130,465 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.
Salaries for a Penetration Tester II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $96,453 in 2023 to around $94,971 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Penetration Tester II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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| 2023 | $96,453 |
| 2024 | $96,400 |
| 2025 | $94,971 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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A Penetration Tester II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Penetration Tester II is $128,341.
The highest pay for Penetration Tester II is $114,286.
The lowest pay for Penetration Tester II is $89,266.
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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Penetration Tester II roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.)
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