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Penetration Tester III Salary in the United States

How much does a Penetration Tester III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Tester III in the United States is $130,473 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

However, a Penetration Tester III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $155,198
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $123,208 to $143,415
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $116,594
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Penetration Tester III Salaries

A Penetration Tester III'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.

How Experience Level Affects Penetration Tester III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Penetration Tester III'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:

  • Penetration Tester I (0-2 years): $84,535
  • Penetration Tester II (2-4 years): $101,754
  • Penetration Tester III (4-7 years): $130,473
  • Penetration Tester IV (7+ years): $149,968
  • Penetration Tester V (7-10 years): $174,295
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Penetration Tester I0-2 years$84,535
Penetration Tester II2-4 years$101,754
Penetration Tester III4-7 years$130,473
Penetration Tester IV7+ years$149,968
Penetration Tester V7-10 years$174,295
View as Graph

How Do Penetration Tester IIIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $144,460.
  • California: $143,912.
  • Massachusetts: $141,994.

Top Paying Cities for Penetration Tester III

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $164,566
  • San Francisco: $162,764
  • Oakland: $159,334

Penetration Tester III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Penetration Tester III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $146,057. While startup companies pay approximate $123,561.

Penetration Tester III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $123,561
Growth Stage 51~500 $130,680
Established 501~5000 $141,044
Enterprise 5000+ $146,057

Penetration Tester III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Penetration Tester III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Penetration Tester positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Penetration Tester III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Penetration Tester III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$195,710$94.050%

Penetration Tester III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Penetration Tester III'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, 2026
$123,208
Average $130,473/year
$143,415
$10,267
Average $10,873/month
$11,951
$2,369
Average $2,509/week
$2,758
$59
Average $63/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $143,415 $11,951 $2,758 $69
Average $130,473 $10,873 $2,509 $63
25th Percentile $123,208 $10,267 $2,369 $59

Penetration Tester III Salary Growth & Career Path

Penetration Tester III

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Advancement

For a Penetration Tester III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration Tester IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $149,968 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Penetration Tester III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Penetration Tester III

Here are companies hiring for Penetration Tester III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Penetration Tester III

1. Where can a Penetration Tester III earn the most?

A Penetration Tester III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Penetration Tester III is $164,566.

2. What is the highest pay for Penetration Tester III?

The highest pay for Penetration Tester III is $155,198.

3. What is the lowest pay for Penetration Tester III?

The lowest pay for Penetration Tester III is $116,594.

4. What are the responsibilities of Penetration Tester III?

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 Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). May require SANS/ GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN). May require SANS/ GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT). Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Penetration Tester III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Penetration Tester III roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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