Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Francisco, United States
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in San Francisco earns a median of $220k a year gross ($220k), from $180k at p10 to $270k at p90. San Francisco pays 1.22× the United States median and 22% above the US median of $180k. About 828,000 people live in San Francisco.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in San Francisco
Gross annual pay in USD. Junior $170k, lead $340k. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | $140k | $170k | $210k | $170k | |
| Mid-level | $180k | $220k | $270k | $220k | |
| Senior | $230k | $280k | $340k | $280k | |
| Lead | $280k | $340k | $420k | $340k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United States median ($180k) times a 1.22 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in San Francisco
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 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 |
| Austin | 1.02× | $150k | $180k | $230k |
Other QA salaries in San Francisco
5 Security / Penetration Tester jobs in San Francisco · QA hiring in San Francisco · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester
Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Francisco: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Francisco?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in San Francisco is $220k a year ($220k). The p10 is $180k and the p90 is $270k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to San Francisco with a city factor of 1.22.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester make in San Francisco?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in San Francisco earns a median of $280k, with a range of $230k to $340k. Leads reach $340k and juniors start near $170k.
What is an entry-level Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Francisco?
A junior Security / Penetration Tester in San Francisco earns about $170k a year ($170k), between $140k and $210k. Pay rises to $220k at mid-level.
Is San Francisco a good-paying city for Security / Penetration Testers in United States?
San Francisco ranks 1st of 62 tracked United States cities for this role, at 1.22x the national median of $180k. It is the best-paid city we track in the country.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in San Francisco?
Roughly 72-78% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner: about $160k to $170k a year, or $14k a month. This is not tax advice.
What is the hourly rate for a Security / Penetration Tester in San Francisco?
A $220k gross salary equals about $110 an hour on a 40-hour week ($18k a month gross). Contractors typically quote 20-35% above this to cover leave and benefits.
All figures are gross estimates, not offers or advice.