Security / Penetration Tester salary in Houston, United States
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Houston earns a median of $180k a year gross ($180k), from $140k at p10 to $210k at p90. Houston pays 0.97× the United States median. About 2.3 million people live in Houston.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in Houston
Gross annual pay in USD. Junior $140k, lead $270k. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | $110k | $140k | $170k | $140k | |
| Mid-level | $140k | $180k | $210k | $180k | |
| Senior | $180k | $220k | $270k | $220k | |
| Lead | $220k | $270k | $330k | $270k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United States median ($180k) times a 0.97 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in Houston
Employers in United States usually quote annual base salary for employees, hourly rates for 1099 and W2 contracts.
A generic estimate for a single mid-level earner, not tax advice.
Security / Penetration Tester pay in other United States cities
| City | Pay factor | p10 | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 1.22× | $180k | $220k | $270k |
| San Jose | 1.20× | $180k | $220k | $260k |
| New York | 1.15× | $170k | $210k | $250k |
| Seattle | 1.15× | $170k | $210k | $250k |
| Boston | 1.08× | $160k | $200k | $240k |
| Washington DC | 1.06× | $160k | $190k | $230k |
| Los Angeles | 1.05× | $160k | $190k | $230k |
| San Diego | 1.03× | $150k | $190k | $230k |
Other QA salaries in Houston
30 Security / Penetration Tester jobs in United States · QA hiring in Houston · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester
Security / Penetration Tester salary in Houston: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in Houston?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Houston is $180k a year ($180k). The p10 is $140k and the p90 is $210k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to Houston with a city factor of 0.97.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester make in Houston?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in Houston earns a median of $220k, with a range of $180k to $270k. Leads reach $270k and juniors start near $140k.
What is an entry-level Security / Penetration Tester salary in Houston?
A junior Security / Penetration Tester in Houston earns about $140k a year ($140k), between $110k and $170k. Pay rises to $180k at mid-level.
Is Houston a good-paying city for Security / Penetration Testers in United States?
Houston ranks 15th of 62 tracked United States cities for this role, at 0.97x the national median of $180k. It sits in the top third.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in Houston?
Roughly 72-78% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner: about $130k to $140k a year, or $11k a month. This is not tax advice.
What is the hourly rate for a Security / Penetration Tester in Houston?
A $180k gross salary equals about $87 an hour on a 40-hour week ($15k a month gross). Contractors typically quote 20-35% above this to cover leave and benefits.
All figures are gross estimates, not offers or advice.