Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Diego, United States
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in San Diego earns a median of $190k a year gross ($190k), from $150k at p10 to $230k at p90. San Diego pays 1.03× the United States median and 6% above the US median of $180k. About 1.4 million people live in San Diego.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in San Diego
Gross annual pay in USD. Junior $140k, lead $290k. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | $120k | $140k | $180k | $140k | |
| Mid-level | $150k | $190k | $230k | $190k | |
| Senior | $200k | $240k | $290k | $240k | |
| Lead | $240k | $290k | $350k | $290k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United States median ($180k) times a 1.03 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in San Diego
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 |
| Austin | 1.02× | $150k | $180k | $230k |
Other QA salaries in San Diego
30 Security / Penetration Tester jobs in United States · QA hiring in San Diego · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester
Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Diego: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Diego?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in San Diego is $190k a year ($190k). The p10 is $150k and the p90 is $230k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to San Diego with a city factor of 1.03.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester make in San Diego?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in San Diego earns a median of $240k, with a range of $200k to $290k. Leads reach $290k and juniors start near $140k.
What is an entry-level Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Diego?
A junior Security / Penetration Tester in San Diego earns about $140k a year ($140k), between $120k and $180k. Pay rises to $190k at mid-level.
Is San Diego a good-paying city for Security / Penetration Testers in United States?
San Diego ranks 8th of 62 tracked United States cities for this role, at 1.03x the national median of $180k. It sits in the top third.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in San Diego?
Roughly 72-78% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner: about $140k to $150k a year, or $12k a month. This is not tax advice.
What is the hourly rate for a Security / Penetration Tester in San Diego?
A $190k gross salary equals about $91 an hour on a 40-hour week ($16k a month gross). Contractors typically quote 20-35% above this to cover leave and benefits.
All figures are gross estimates, not offers or advice.