Unlocking 2024 insights: Average CompTIA PenTest+ salary

CompTIA's PenTest+ is an invaluable certification for a penetration testing and vulnerability management career. Pentest certifications continue to grow in popularity as the demand for ethical hackers rises — and the U.S. penetration testing market is expected to triple in size by 2028. Penetration testers think and act like hackers, testing organizations’ systems using the same tools and techniques as cybercriminals and other malicious actors. 

PenTest+ can serve as a springboard for many cybersecurity career paths. It ensures pentest professionals are better prepared to solve various challenges when securing and defending networks in today's complex business computing landscape. 

Dive into the average CompTIA PenTest+ salary, discover why many opt for this career and learn how to prepare for the test.

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Understanding CompTIA PenTest+ certification 

This certification exam tests, validates and establishes the core knowledge of pentesting techniques for the latest attack surfaces, including the cloud, hybrid environments and web applications. It also addresses ethical hacking concepts, vulnerability scanning and code analysis. Its appeal for professionals is that it addresses communication with stakeholders and regulatory requirements in addition to covering tools, techniques and analysis of results. 

It is also compliant with ISO 17024 standards and approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to meet directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements. This makes it a great cert for people wanting to work for the DoD or any organization within its ecosystem. This includes third-party suppliers in the DoD's supply chain that may have to interface with the DoD's network or assets connected to it. 

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is designed for cybersecurity professionals with experience and at least an intermediate level of skills. Candidates who achieve this certification can identify weaknesses, ascertain how they impact a business and help organizations mitigate them. Certified pentesters can also exploit weaknesses to demonstrate to their clients the impact of a breach. 

The primary deliverable of a pentester is a report educating the client on how to best protect their system. In this way, a pentester isn't only hacking to highlight vulnerabilities but also giving their clients actionable roadmaps for more robust cybersecurity. 

The role of a penetration tester 

A penetration tester must first obtain their client's express permission to attack their systems. They then launch a series of attacks, exploiting multiple vulnerabilities and trying to discover ways of subverting the customer's defenses. This may include: 

In this way, pentesters can help make an organization's cybersecurity less vulnerable to threats that traditional tools may not be able to thwart. 

The average salary for CompTIA PenTest+ certified professionals (2024) 

The average penetration tester base salary, according to Payscale.com, is $92,759 per year, but that does not include any potential bonuses or additional compensation. Glassdoor.com reports that the average pentester has a base salary of $106,823 and a total compensation of $125,717, including additional pay. Salary.com puts the average pay for a pentester in the middle but closer to the Payscale's range at $95,788. 

In other words, pentester average salaries range from $92,759 to $125,000, averaging $124,424 per year. 

In the cybersecurity salary negotiation process, it may help to be flexible, considering other factors in your total compensation. It may be helpful to include factors such as: 

Salary by region 

Your location can be a significant factor when it comes to how much money you make as a pentester. Here are the highest-paying cities for penetration testers in the United States, according to Salary.com: 

Salary by experience 

Experience level is an essential factor in determining cybersecurity salary. As per Salary.com's latest figures, this is how experience influences your pay as a pentester: 

Here’s the breakdown by experience according to Payscale.com: 

Salary by industry 

In addition, some industries may pay more than others because penetration testers play a crucial role in their cybersecurity programs. For example, Glassdoor shows: 

Salary by organization 

Keep in mind that the numbers above are merely industry averages. The company you work for is the most significant factor in determining how much you make as a penetration tester. For instance, according to Glassdoor.com: 

Penetration testing as a career choice 

As a certified penetration tester, your career trajectory can land you in various roles. For instance, some standard job titles include: 

Additional factors influencing PenTest+ salaries 

Additional skills and certifications can put you in a powerful position at the negotiating table. These give your potential employer confidence in your abilities and make it easier to justify paying you more money to other stakeholders. 

Some skills that can boost your pay include: 

Preparing for a career in penetration testing 

To boost your skills, you can: 

As you hunt for a penetration testing job, you want to leverage your CompTIA PenTest+ Certification — once you've earned it. This can set you apart from other candidates, inspiring confidence in an employer in your abilities. It's also good to have a clear, diverse portfolio showcasing the kinds of networks and defenses you've penetrated and how you recommended improvements. 

The future outlook for penetration testing professionals 

The future looks bright for penetration testing professionals, primarily because they play a crucial role in diagnosing and fixing network weaknesses. 

A few different trends are driving the pentesting profession, such as: 

Your PenTest+ helps you prepare for these and future trends by arming you with technical and reporting skills. This also puts you in a position to build on your portfolio by incorporating advanced technologies, such as AI, or diversifying your services. 

The impact of certification on your PenTest+ salary 

A career in pentesting, powered by your CompTIA PenTest+ certification, can earn you, on average, about $104,000, but you can make a lot more depending on the company you work for. Pay varies depending on where you work and the amount of experience you bring. Certifications like PenTest+ help validate your skills to employers and can help open doors. This empowers your portfolio, letting employees know you can help them take their cybersecurity to the next level. 

Earn your PenTest+, guaranteed!

Enroll in a PenTest+ Boot Camp and earn one of the industry’s most respected certifications — guaranteed.

Get Pricing

PenTest+ FAQ summary 

Is pentesting a high-paying job? 

Pentesting can be considered a lucrative career with earnings upwards of $184,000. The average salary of $105,000 far exceeds the U.S. national average salary amount, making this in-demand job financially and professionally rewarding. 

How many hours do pentesters work? 

Pentesters work a range of hours because some only work while serving specific clients, while others have full-time jobs. For example, you can work as a contractor—either part- or full-time—for organizations like the Department of Defense or corporations such as Walmart or Google. 

Is pentesting a growing profession? 

Yes, pentest certifications continue to grow in popularity as the demand for ethical hackers rises. The U.S. penetration testing market is expected to triple in size by 2028.

Take advantage of the growing cybersecurity job market. Explore more resources with the PenTest+ Hub, where you can sign up for PenTest+ training and explore other career preparation courses.