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Penetration Tester V Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Tester V in the United States is $174,295 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $186,524
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $162,766 to $180,696
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $152,269
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Penetration Tester V Salaries

A Penetration Tester V'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 V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Penetration Tester V'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 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
  • Penetration Testing Senior Manager (10+ years): $170,754
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Penetration Testing Senior Manager10+ years$170,754
View as Graph

How Do Penetration Tester Vs 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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $192,979.
  • California: $192,247.
  • Massachusetts: $189,685.

Top Paying Cities for Penetration Tester V

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: $219,838
  • San Francisco: $217,431
  • Oakland: $212,849

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

Penetration Tester V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $195,113. While startup companies pay approximate $165,061.

Penetration Tester V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $165,061
Growth Stage 51~500 $174,572
Established 501~5000 $188,416
Enterprise 5000+ $195,113

Penetration Tester V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Penetration Tester V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Penetration Tester positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Penetration Tester V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Penetration Tester V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$217,869$105.025%
Biotechnology$209,154$101.020%
Internet$209,154$101.020%
Software & Networking$209,154$101.020%
Financial Services$200,439$96.015%

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

Understanding how a Penetration Tester V'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
$162,766
Average $174,295/year
$180,696
$13,564
Average $14,525/month
$15,058
$3,130
Average $3,352/week
$3,475
$78
Average $84/hour
$87
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $180,696 $15,058 $3,475 $87
Average $174,295 $14,525 $3,352 $84
25th Percentile $162,766 $13,564 $3,130 $78

Penetration Tester V Salary Growth & Career Path

Penetration Tester V

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Advancement

For a Penetration Tester V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration Testing Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $139,372 - a projected growth of -20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Penetration Tester V

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

Common company salaries for Penetration Tester V

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

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FAQ about Penetration Tester V

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

A Penetration Tester V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Penetration Tester V is $219,838.

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

The highest pay for Penetration Tester V is $186,524.

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

The lowest pay for Penetration Tester V is $152,269.

4. What are the responsibilities of Penetration Tester V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Penetration Tester V roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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