As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Tester IV in California is $165,408 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.
However, a Penetration Tester IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Penetration Tester IV Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $172,797 | $14,400 | $3,323 | $83 |
| Average | $165,408 | $13,784 | $3,181 | $80 |
| 25th Percentile | $155,318 | $12,943 | $2,987 | $75 |
KPMG - Los Angeles, CA
KPMG - San Francisco, CA
NetSPI - Ontario, CA
NetSPI - Ontario, CA
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration Tester II | 2-4 years | $112,234 |
| Penetration Tester III | 4-7 years | $143,903 |
| Penetration Tester IV | 7+ years | $165,408 |
| Penetration Tester V | 7-10 years | $192,242 |
| Penetration Testing Manager | 10+ years | $153,738 |
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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
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 $185,008. While startup companies pay approximate $156,461.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $156,461 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $165,482 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $178,660 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $185,008 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $198,490 | $95.0 | 20% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $172,797 | $14,400 | $3,323 | $83 |
| Average | $165,408 | $13,784 | $3,181 | $80 |
| 25th Percentile | $155,318 | $12,943 | $2,987 | $75 |
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 $192,242 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Penetration Tester IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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