Penetration Tester: Facts, Skills, and Next Paths
$117,242 – $206,540
Avg. Salary
18 paths
Adjacent Paths
62% avg. match
Avg. Match Score
62.8 shared skills
Shared Foundation
The Skill Blueprint for Penetration Tester
The core competencies employers ask for. Use them to strengthen your resume, spot gaps, and compare related career options.
Penetration Testing
technical 100% of live postingsCybersecurity
technical 70% of live postingsLinux Administration
technical 60% of live postingsNetwork Security
technical 10% of live postingsRisk Management
strategic 10% of live postingsPython or R
technical 70% of live postingsJavaScript/TypeScript
technical 10% of live postingsSecurity Fundamentals
technical 40% of live postingsScripting
technical 50% of live postingsWhere Else Can Penetration Tester Skills Take You?
Build toward this role and you may be building toward several others. Explore the paths that share the same foundation.
Adjacent Paths from Penetration Tester
Showing the top 18 of 57 transitions — explore the rest via the Network map.
Why People Explore Penetration Tester
High Impact Visibility
Penetration Testers sit at a critical intersection in the organization. Your work directly ties to key business metrics — making your impact visible across teams and to leadership.
Resume Signal
The skills behind Penetration Tester — Penetration Testing, Cybersecurity, Linux Administration — give you concrete language for resumes, interviews, and adjacent roles.
Option Value
This is a high-demand function where strong performers can advance quickly. With 57+ adjacent paths available, your career options stay open.
Roles With Similar Day-to-Day Work
Ranked by how similar the day-to-day work reads in live job postings — not just shared skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to explore your options?
See how Penetration Tester skills match with every career path in our network.