Penetration testers face an excellent job outlook with growing demand in many industries. The data below is not specific to penetration testers but represents information security analysts — a similar career that encompasses penetration testing.
Are penetration testers in demand?
As technology becomes a bigger part of more individual industries, the demand for penetration testers grows. However, because it's such a specialized job, you'll often have a steady amount of competition for job openings specific to penetration testing, especially at the entry level before you have work experience.
Is penetration testing hard to learn?
While Network Pentests are complex and require a lot of moving parts, they aren't that hard to learn about. Once you learn the basic knowledge of how to move around the network, the rest comes with experience - just like everything else!
How much do penetration testers get paid?
As of May 2021, PayScale reports that the median annual penetration tester salary is around $86,000. A host of factors impact the salary, including education, experience, job type and job location. For example, penetration testers with 10 to 20 years of experience in the field can earn more than $120,000 yearly.
What qualifications do you need to be a penetration tester?
Penetration tester skills and experience Increasingly, though, employers are seeking candidates with a bachelor's degree in information security or related computer science degrees. Some more advanced positions require a master's degree.May 4, 2021
Is penetration testing a stressful job?
They're captivated by the technology stack, the vulnerabilities, and the tools at their disposal. But, at the same time, they find the task of pen testing itself aggravating and stressful. A real pain.
Do you need a degree to be a penetration tester?
Entry-level penetration tester requirements include both education and experience. A bachelor's degree increasingly serves as the minimum necessary level of schooling. Candidates then build penetration tester skills by working in entry-level IT positions, including system or network security and administration roles.Nov 3, 2021
Is penetration testing a good career?
If you're a good fit, you'll find penetration testing to be a rewarding career in more ways than one. Financially, you start out as an entry-level professional with an average salary of around $70,000 and by mid-career, the salary average has crested $100,000.
Is it hard to be a penetration tester?
The industry is expected to grow another 29% by 2030, with increasing reliance on technology in the workplace driving demand for qualified professionals. However, pen testing can be a competitive field, so despite its wealth of job openings, it can be difficult to get an initial foothold at the entry level.