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Penetration Testing Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Penetration Testing Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Testing Director in the United States is $208,242 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $100.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $228,684
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $192,744 to $218,942
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $178,634
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Penetration Testing Director Salaries

A Penetration Testing Director'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 Testing Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Penetration Testing Director'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 IV (7+ years): $149,975
  • Penetration Tester V (7-10 years): $174,299
  • Penetration Testing Manager (10+ years): $139,361
  • Penetration Testing Senior Manager (10+ years): $170,746
  • Penetration Testing Director (10+ years): $208,242
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Penetration Tester IV7+ years$149,975
Penetration Tester V7-10 years$174,299
Penetration Testing Manager10+ years$139,361
Penetration Testing Senior Manager10+ years$170,746
Penetration Testing Director10+ years$208,242
View as Graph

How Do Penetration Testing Director 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 Testing Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $230,566.
  • California: $229,691.
  • Massachusetts: $226,630.

Top Paying Cities for Penetration Testing Directors

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: $262,656
  • San Francisco: $259,780
  • Oakland: $254,305

Penetration Testing Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Penetration Testing Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $232,719. While startup companies pay approximate $196,857.

Penetration Testing Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $196,857
Growth Stage 51~500 $208,196
Established 501~5000 $224,720
Enterprise 5000+ $232,719

Penetration Testing Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Penetration Testing Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Penetration Testing Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Penetration Testing Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Penetration Testing Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$270,715$130.030%
Healthcare$260,302$125.025%
Aerospace & Defense$249,890$120.020%
MFG Nondurable$249,890$120.020%
Business Services$239,478$115.015%

Penetration Testing Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Penetration Testing Director'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 September 01, 2026
$192,744
Average $208,242/year
$218,942
$16,062
Average $17,354/month
$18,245
$3,707
Average $4,005/week
$4,210
$93
Average $100/hour
$105
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $218,942 $18,245 $4,210 $105
Average $208,242 $17,354 $4,005 $100
25th Percentile $192,744 $16,062 $3,707 $93

Most common benefits for Penetration Testing Director

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

Common company salaries for Penetration Testing Director

Here are companies hiring for Penetration Testing Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Penetration Testing Director

1. Where can a Penetration Testing Director earn the most?

A Penetration Testing Director'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 Testing Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Penetration Testing Director is $262,656.

2. What is the highest pay for Penetration Testing Director?

The highest pay for Penetration Testing Director is $228,684.

3. What is the lowest pay for Penetration Testing Director?

The lowest pay for Penetration Testing Director is $178,634.

4. What are the responsibilities of Penetration Testing Director?

Directs a team that performs penetration testing to assess and identify security vulnerabilities of networks, applications, and systems. Oversees vulnerability assessment and penetration testing activities. Reviews and analyzes root cause analysis reports and makes recommendations to eliminate risks. Creates and develops methodologies to analyze and define risk, identify weaknesses, and drive the development of countermeasures and security improvements. Develops penetration testing policies and procedures by utilizing the latest tools, techniques, training, and industry best practices. Stays up to date with the latest security threats, techniques, and tools to continuously improve penetration testing methodologies. Has extensive experience using a variety of assessment tools (such as Nmap, BurpSuite, Kali Linux), scripting languages (like Bash, Python, Perl, or Ruby), and cybersecurity frameworks and protocols. 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 senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Penetration Testing Director?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Penetration Testing Director roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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