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Certified Ethical Hacker Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Ethical Hacker make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Ethical Hacker in the United States is $72,663 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Certified Ethical Hacker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,185
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,767 to $79,741
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,847
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Certified Ethical Hacker Salaries

A Certified Ethical Hacker'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Ethical Hacker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Ethical Hacker'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $69,636
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $70,090
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $71,604
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $73,965
  • Expert (over 8 years): $75,599
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Ethical Hacker$69,636
Intermediate Level Certified Ethical Hacker$70,090
Senior Level Certified Ethical Hacker$71,604
Specialist Level Certified Ethical Hacker$73,965
Expert Level Certified Ethical Hacker$75,599
View as Graph

How Do Certified Ethical Hacker 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 Certified Ethical Hackers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $80,452.
  • California: $80,147.
  • Massachusetts: $79,079.

Top Paying Cities for Certified Ethical Hackers

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: $91,650
  • San Francisco: $90,646
  • Oakland: $88,736

Certified Ethical Hacker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Ethical Hacker roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Financial Services, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Certified Ethical Hacker positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Ethical Hacker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Certified Ethical Hacker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$87,196$42.020%

How Education impacts a Certified Ethical Hacker's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Ethical Hackers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Certified Ethical Hacker with a Associate's Degree is between $73,962 and $80,919).

Certified Ethical Hacker Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Ethical Hacker
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 18.8%
High School 18.8%
Associates 8.8%
Bachelors 54.1%
Masters 16.6%
Doctorate 1.7%
View as Graph

Certified Ethical Hacker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Ethical Hacker'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
$61,767
Average $72,663/year
$79,741
$5,147
Average $6,055/month
$6,645
$1,188
Average $1,397/week
$1,533
$30
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,741 $6,645 $1,533 $38
Average $72,663 $6,055 $1,397 $35
25th Percentile $61,767 $5,147 $1,188 $30

Most common benefits for Certified Ethical Hacker

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

Common company salaries for Certified Ethical Hacker

Here are companies hiring for Certified Ethical Hacker and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Certified Ethical Hacker

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Ethical Hacker?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Ethical Hacker roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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