As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Testing Director in the United States is $208,281 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:
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Penetration Testing Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $218,977 | $18,248 | $4,211 | $105 |
| Average | $208,281 | $17,357 | $4,005 | $100 |
| 25th Percentile | $192,733 | $16,061 | $3,706 | $93 |
BlueOrange Compliance - Dublin, OH
NHC HealthCare Scott - LAWRENCEBURG, TN
Senci Power USA Inc. - OLIVE BRANCH, MS
Focus Staff - RAPID CITY, SD
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration Tester IV | 7+ years | $149,949 |
| Penetration Tester V | 7-10 years | $174,282 |
| Penetration Testing Manager | 10+ years | $139,403 |
| Penetration Testing Senior Manager | 10+ years | $170,780 |
| Penetration Testing Director | 10+ years | $208,281 |
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 Testing Directors. 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:
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $218,977 | $18,248 | $4,211 | $105 |
| Average | $208,281 | $17,357 | $4,005 | $100 |
| 25th Percentile | $192,733 | $16,061 | $3,706 | $93 |
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Penetration Testing Director and their salaries, click below for more details.
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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 $262,705.
The highest pay for Penetration Testing Director is $228,715.
The lowest pay for Penetration Testing Director is $178,577.
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.
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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