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Penetration Testing Senior Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Testing Senior Manager in the United States is $170,789 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $193,850
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $163,674 to $182,860
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $157,196
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View as table View as graph 25% $163,674 10% $157,196 90% $193,850 75% $182,860 $170,789 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Penetration Testing Senior Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $182,860 $15,238 $3,517 $88
Average $170,789 $14,232 $3,284 $82
25th Percentile $163,674 $13,640 $3,148 $79
Check out Penetration Testing Senior Manager Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Penetration Testing Senior Manager Salaries

A Penetration Testing Senior 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 Senior Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Penetration Testing Senior 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): $149,943
  • Penetration Tester V (7-10 years): $174,277
  • Penetration Testing Manager (10+ years): $139,413
  • Penetration Testing Senior Manager (10+ years): $170,789
  • Penetration Testing Director (10+ years): $208,290
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Penetration Tester IV7+ years$149,943
Penetration Tester V7-10 years$174,277
Penetration Testing Manager10+ years$139,413
Penetration Testing Senior Manager10+ years$170,789
Penetration Testing Director10+ years$208,290
$149,943 Penetrati...
$174,277 Penetrati...
$139,413 Penetrati...
$170,789 Penetrati...
$208,290 Penetrati...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Penetration Testing Senior Managers

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: $215,416
  • San Francisco: $213,298
  • Oakland: $208,568

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

Understanding how a Penetration Testing Senior 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 April 01, 2026

Penetration Testing Senior Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Penetration Testing Senior Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration Testing Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $208,290 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Penetration Testing Senior Manager

Salaries for a Penetration Testing Senior Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $153,474 in 2023 to around $148,760 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Penetration Testing Senior Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Penetration Testing Senior Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$153,474
2024
$151,434
2025
$148,760
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $153,474
2024 $151,434
2025 $148,760
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Penetration Testing Senior Manager

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401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Penetration Testing Senior Manager

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

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FAQ about Penetration Testing Senior Manager

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

A Penetration Testing Senior 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 Senior Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Penetration Testing Senior Manager is $215,416.

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

The highest pay for Penetration Testing Senior Manager is $193,850.

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

The lowest pay for Penetration Testing Senior Manager is $157,196.

4. What are the responsibilities of Penetration Testing Senior Manager?

Oversees 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. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

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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