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Penetration Tester IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Tester IV in the United States is $149,968 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $162,770
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,820 to $156,669
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $132,491
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Key Factors That Influence Penetration Tester IV Salaries

A Penetration Tester IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Penetration Tester IV'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 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
  • Penetration Testing Manager (10+ years): $139,372
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Penetration Testing Manager10+ years$139,372
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How Do Penetration Tester IVs 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $166,045.
  • California: $165,415.
  • Massachusetts: $163,210.

Top Paying Cities for Penetration Tester IV

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: $189,155
  • San Francisco: $187,084
  • Oakland: $183,141

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

Penetration Tester IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $167,881. While startup companies pay approximate $142,023.

Penetration Tester IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $142,023
Growth Stage 51~500 $150,206
Established 501~5000 $162,118
Enterprise 5000+ $167,881

Penetration Tester IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Penetration Tester IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Penetration Tester positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Penetration Tester IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Penetration Tester IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$179,962$87.020%

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

Understanding how a Penetration Tester IV'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
$140,820
Average $149,968/year
$156,669
$11,735
Average $12,497/month
$13,056
$2,708
Average $2,884/week
$3,013
$68
Average $72/hour
$75
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $156,669 $13,056 $3,013 $75
Average $149,968 $12,497 $2,884 $72
25th Percentile $140,820 $11,735 $2,708 $68

Penetration Tester IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Penetration Tester IV

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Advancement

For a Penetration Tester IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration Tester V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $174,295 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Penetration Tester IV

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

Common company salaries for Penetration Tester IV

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

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FAQ about Penetration Tester IV

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

A Penetration Tester IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Penetration Tester IV is $189,155.

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

The highest pay for Penetration Tester IV is $162,770.

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

The lowest pay for Penetration Tester IV is $132,491.

4. What are the responsibilities of Penetration Tester IV?

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Penetration Tester IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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