Penetration Tester
Hack systems legally to find vulnerabilities before malicious actors do, protecting organizations from cyber attacks
About the profession
Penetration Testers simulate cyber attacks against organizations' networks, applications, and systems to identify vulnerabilities before real attackers exploit them. They use the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers but with authorization. They work for security consulting firms, tech companies, and government agencies.
How to Get Started
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Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
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Jump to Learning Path →Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Junior Pentester → Pentester → Senior Pentester/Red Team Lead → Director of Offensive Security
Where are you on this career path?
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Salary Growth
4
Levels
0K
Top Salary
10+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Conduct basic vulnerability assessments and scans Assist senior testers on penetration testing engagements Learn common attack techniques and tools (Burp Suite, Metasploit, Nmap)…
Skills used in this career
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Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1-2: $60,000 - $82,000 Year 10+: $140,000 - $200,000+
💰 Salary Range
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Related Reading
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