Security / Penetration Tester salary in Bulgaria
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Bulgaria is BGN 96k ($54k), with most offers between BGN 79k and BGN 120k. That is 70% below the US median for the same role. Bulgaria ranks 32 of 36 countries on our pay index. Juniors start near BGN 75k, leads reach BGN 150k.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in Bulgaria
Gross annual pay in BGN. Junior pay is BGN 75k, lead pay is BGN 150k: leads earn 100% more. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | BGN 61k | BGN 75k | BGN 91k | $41k | |
| Mid-level | BGN 79k | BGN 96k | BGN 120k | $54k | |
| Senior | BGN 100k | BGN 120k | BGN 150k | $68k | |
| Lead | BGN 120k | BGN 150k | BGN 180k | $83k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only. p10 and p90 are 0.82× and 1.22× the median. Methodology.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by city in Bulgaria
Sofia pays most at 1.08× the national median. Pay factor 1.00 equals the country median of BGN 96k.
| City | Tier | Pay factor | Mid-level median | p10–p90 | USD | QA jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofia | B | 1.08× (+8%) | BGN 100k | BGN 85k–BGN 130k | $58k | 3 |
| Plovdiv | C | 0.88× (-12%) | BGN 85k | BGN 70k–BGN 100k | $47k | 1 |
| Varna | C | 0.88× (-12%) | BGN 85k | BGN 70k–BGN 100k | $47k | 0 |
City factors are estimates (tier A = largest tech hubs). Remote roles are paid to the employer's pay band, which can differ from the city rate.
From gross to take-home in Bulgaria
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester on BGN 96k gross keeps roughly 74–80% after income tax and social contributions, about BGN 71k to BGN 77k a year.
In Bulgaria, pay is usually quoted as monthly gross salary, often quoted net in job ads. Estimate only: a single earner with no dependants and typical deductions. Bonuses, benefits, pension choices and regional taxes change the result. It is not tax advice.
QA roles open in Bulgaria
No Security / Penetration Tester role is open today. Showing the closest matches from 18 QA listings in Bulgaria.
Data Quality Analyst / Data Tester (Bulgaria/Romania)
Load Test Engineer
Junior QA Engineer
0 listings in Bulgaria show a real posted pay range (0 for Security / Penetration Tester). Others carry a model estimate marked “est.”.
Who hires Security / Penetration Testers in Bulgaria
Employer mix by share of listings (18 listings in Bulgaria). Names are withheld; we show the type of company.
- Software companies33%
- AI companies22%
- Healthtech companies17%
- Fintech companies11%
- Games studios11%
What this estimate rests on
The Security / Penetration Tester baseline uses 22 US posted pay ranges. For Bulgaria, the country index is calibrated on 135 non-US observations in Central & Eastern Europe, so the regional sample is usable but still modest. Evidence score 5 of 8.
Security / Penetration Tester salary and jobs by city in Bulgaria
Security / Penetration Tester salary in Bulgaria: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in Bulgaria?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Bulgaria is BGN 96k a year ($54k). The p10 is BGN 79k and the p90 is BGN 120k. This is an estimate based on posted pay ranges.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester earn in Bulgaria?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in Bulgaria earns a median of BGN 120k ($68k), with a range of BGN 100k to BGN 150k. Leads earn BGN 150k, 100% more than juniors at BGN 75k.
Which city in Bulgaria pays Security / Penetration Testers the most?
Sofia has the highest pay factor at 1.08x the country median, which puts a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester at about BGN 100k ($58k). Varna sits at 0.88x, around BGN 85k.
How does Bulgaria compare with the US for Security / Penetration Tester pay?
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in the US earns a median of $180k. In Bulgaria the equivalent is $54k, which is 70% below the US figure. Bulgaria ranks 32 of 36 countries; the Central & Eastern Europe median for this role is $60k.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in Bulgaria?
Roughly 74–80% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner, which is about BGN 71k to BGN 77k a year on a BGN 96k gross salary. This is a generic estimate, not tax advice: benefits, family status and regional taxes change the result.
How many Security / Penetration Tester jobs are open in Bulgaria?
PassRidge lists no live Security / Penetration Tester listing in Bulgaria today, and 18 QA listings across all roles in Bulgaria. 0 of the Security / Penetration Tester listings and 0 of all listings in the country show a real posted pay range; the rest carry a model estimate.
Other roles in Bulgaria
| Role | Mid-level median | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Manual QA Tester | BGN 44k | $24k |
| QA Automation Engineer | BGN 64k | $36k |
| SDET | BGN 70k | $39k |
| QA Lead / Manager | BGN 59k | $33k |
| Mobile QA Engineer | BGN 56k | $31k |
| Performance Test Engineer | BGN 78k | $44k |
| Game QA Tester | BGN 35k | $20k |
| Accessibility Tester | BGN 52k | $29k |
| Business / Test Analyst | BGN 47k | $26k |
| Data / ETL QA Engineer | BGN 53k | $30k |
| Localization QA Tester | BGN 26k | $14k |
| AI / LLM Evaluation QA | BGN 55k | $31k |
| Release / DevOps Engineer | BGN 77k | $43k |
| Technical Writer (QA / Docs) | BGN 48k | $27k |
World view: Security / Penetration Tester salary by country · Security / Penetration Tester role guide · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester · Salary finder.