Security / Penetration Tester jobs in Washington DC, United States
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Washington DC earns a median of $190k a year ($190k gross). Washington DC has about 690,000 residents and is the 20th largest of the 62 United States cities we list. No Security / Penetration Tester listing is based here today; United States has 30, and remote roles can be done from Washington DC.
Security / Penetration Tester roles near Washington DC
No Security / Penetration Tester listing is based in Washington DC today, so these are the nearest in United States, then the levels we place here. Placement pay starts at the higher of the city and national median.
Staff Application Security Engineer
Senior Manager, Application Security
Application Security Engineer II
Cyber Security Engineer (Application Security)
Junior Penetration Tester
Penetration Tester
Senior Penetration Tester
Lead Penetration Tester
"Talent pipeline" cards are the levels we place, not an employer's vacancy. Real postings are labelled "Market listing". How pay is set.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in Washington DC
Gross annual pay in USD. Washington DC is 1.06× the United States median (+6%), which is $180k at mid-level.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | $120k | $150k | $180k | $150k | |
| Mid-level | $160k | $190k | $230k | $190k | |
| Senior | $200k | $240k | $300k | $240k | |
| Lead | $240k | $300k | $360k | $300k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only. Full Security / Penetration Tester salary page for Washington DC.
What a Security / Penetration Tester does in Washington DC
Attacks applications before someone else does, then helps fix what breaks.
- Run web, API and mobile penetration tests against agreed scope
- Triage scanner output and remove false positives
- Write findings with proof of exploit and a fix recommendation
- Add security checks to CI
- Retest fixes and track remediation
Skills and stack employers ask for
Tools named most often
Time zone
Washington DC is on America/New York. A 09:00-17:00 day shares 8 h with US East, 3 h with London and 2 h with Central Europe.
Security / Penetration Tester jobs in other United States cities
Other QA roles in Washington DC
QA jobs, time zone and hiring facts for Washington DC · Security / Penetration Tester role guide · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester
Security / Penetration Tester jobs in Washington DC: FAQ
How much does a Security / Penetration Tester earn in Washington DC?
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Washington DC earns a median of $190k a year ($190k), with a p10 to p90 range of $160k to $230k. Junior pay starts near $150k, senior pay is $240k and leads reach $300k.
Are there Security / Penetration Tester jobs in Washington DC?
No Security / Penetration Tester listing is based in Washington DC today, but United States has 30 and Security / Penetration Tester roles open to remote candidates in the same time zone are common. Tell us your city and we alert you when a local role opens.
How does Washington DC pay compare with the rest of United States?
Washington DC ranks 6th of 62 United States cities we track for Security / Penetration Tester pay, at 1.06x the national median (+6%). The national mid-level median is $180k, so Washington DC is above it. Against the US it is 6% above the US median of $180k.
What skills do Security / Penetration Tester jobs in Washington DC ask for?
Attacks applications before someone else does, then helps fix what breaks. Typical requirements: OWASP Top 10, Burp Suite, Scripting, Threat modelling, Reporting. The tools named most often are Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Postman, Docker.
Can a Security / Penetration Tester work with US or European teams from Washington DC?
Washington DC is on America/New York. A 09:00-17:00 day shares about 8 h with US East, 3 h with London and 2 h with Central Europe. 70% of Security / Penetration Tester roles are remote-friendly.
How do I get a Security / Penetration Tester job in Washington DC with PassRidge?
Tell us your level and stack in the form on this page. A recruiter sends matching roles with the pay shown upfront; it is free for candidates and nothing goes to an employer without your written OK. Our placement range for Washington DC starts at the higher of the city and national median.