SALARY GUIDE

Unlock Your Earning Potential as an Ethical Hacker

From entry‑level pentests to senior red‑team leadership, see how your skills translate into top salaries.

Salary Overview

Compare salaries across experience levels and countries

Entry Level
$70,000
0‑2 years experience
Mid‑Career
$120,000
5‑10 years experience
Senior
$180,000
15+ years experience
Top 10%
$250,000
High performers
Average Salary by Country
United States$120,000
Canada$105,000
United Kingdom£85,000
AustraliaA$115,000
Germany€95,000
India₹2,200,000

40‑Year Career Salary Projection

See how your earning potential grows throughout your career

0y10y20y30y40y$100k$120k$140k$160kYears of Experience

Top Paying Industries

Compare average salaries across sectors

Salary by Industry
Financial Services$130,000
Healthcare$115,000
Technology$125,000
Government & Defense$118,000
E‑commerce$122,000

Salary by Specialization

Explore earning potential in different areas

Penetration Testing
$115,000
Average annual salary
Red Team Operations
$130,000
Average annual salary
Application Security
$120,000
Average annual salary
Cloud Security
$135,000
Average annual salary
Incident Response
$125,000
Average annual salary
Key Factors Affecting Salary
  • Years of experience
  • Geographic location
  • Industry sector
  • Specialization focus
  • Advanced certifications
  • Demand for niche skills

Certification Impact

Boost your earning potential with professional certifications

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
~8% increase
Salary increase potential
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
~12% increase
Salary increase potential
CISSP
~10% increase
Salary increase potential
GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
~9% increase
Salary increase potential
Certified Red Team Professional (CRTP)
~11% increase
Salary increase potential

Global Market Insights

Understand the worldwide salary landscape

Highest Paying
United States
Fastest Growing
India
Most Stable
United Kingdom
Job Market Outlook

The demand for Ethical Hackers is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2035, driven by rising cyber threats, stricter compliance regulations, and increased investment in proactive security testing. Skilled professionals can expect abundant opportunities across sectors, with remote and freelance roles expanding the talent pool.

Ready to Build Your Ethical Hacker Resume?

Start with our AI‑powered resume builder and land your dream role faster.

Get Started

More Salary Guides

Check out Resumly's Free AI Tools