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Penetration Testing Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Testing Manager in the United States is $139,372 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,797
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $131,840 to $147,446
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $124,983
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Penetration Testing Manager Salaries

A Penetration Testing Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Penetration Testing Manager'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): $149,968
  • Penetration Tester V (7-10 years): $174,295
  • Penetration Testing Manager (10+ years): $139,372
  • Penetration Testing Senior Manager (10+ years): $170,754
  • Penetration Testing Director (10+ years): $208,252
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Penetration Testing Director10+ years$208,252
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How Do Penetration Testing Managers 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $154,313.
  • California: $153,727.
  • Massachusetts: $151,679.

Top Paying Cities for Penetration Testing Manager

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: $175,790
  • San Francisco: $173,865
  • Oakland: $170,201

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

Penetration Testing Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $156,019. While startup companies pay approximate $131,988.

Penetration Testing Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $131,988
Growth Stage 51~500 $139,593
Established 501~5000 $150,664
Enterprise 5000+ $156,019

Penetration Testing Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Penetration Testing Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 53% above the average. In contrast, Penetration Testing Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Penetration Testing Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Penetration Testing Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$213,893$103.053%
Financial Services$187,157$90.034%
Aerospace & Defense$173,788$84.025%
Internet$167,104$80.020%
Energy & Utilities$160,420$77.015%

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

Understanding how a Penetration Testing Manager'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
$131,840
Average $139,372/year
$147,446
$10,987
Average $11,614/month
$12,287
$2,535
Average $2,680/week
$2,836
$63
Average $67/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $147,446 $12,287 $2,836 $71
Average $139,372 $11,614 $2,680 $67
25th Percentile $131,840 $10,987 $2,535 $63

Penetration Testing Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Penetration Testing Manager

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Advancement

For a Penetration Testing Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration Testing Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $170,754 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Penetration Testing Manager

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

Common company salaries for Penetration Testing Manager

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

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FAQ about Penetration Testing Manager

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

A Penetration Testing Manager'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 Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Penetration Testing Manager is $175,790.

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

The highest pay for Penetration Testing Manager is $154,797.

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

The lowest pay for Penetration Testing Manager is $124,983.

4. What are the responsibilities of Penetration Testing Manager?

Manages a team that performs penetration testing to assess and identify security vulnerabilities of networks, applications, and systems. Implements methodologies to analyze and define risk, identify weaknesses, and drive the development of countermeasures and security improvements. Designs, plans, and executes vulnerability assessment and penetration testing activities. Develops and utilizes the latest tools, techniques, training, and countermeasures for testing system and application vulnerabilities. Directs a variety of manual and automated penetration testing. Leads red/blue team testing and event monitoring. 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. Implements testing policies and procedures that align with the organization's cybersecurity policies, standards, and industry best practices. 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 director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Penetration Testing Manager roles, with salaries approximately 53% 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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