Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Jose, United States
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in San Jose earns a median of $220k a year gross ($220k), from $180k at p10 to $260k at p90. San Jose pays 1.20× the United States median and 22% above the US median of $180k. About 1 million people live in San Jose.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in San Jose
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 | $200k | $170k | |
| Mid-level | $180k | $220k | $260k | $220k | |
| Senior | $230k | $280k | $340k | $280k | |
| Lead | $280k | $340k | $410k | $340k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United States median ($180k) times a 1.20 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in San Jose
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 |
| 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 Jose
1 Security / Penetration Tester jobs in San Jose · QA hiring in San Jose · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester
Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Jose: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in San Jose?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in San Jose is $220k a year ($220k). The p10 is $180k and the p90 is $260k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to San Jose with a city factor of 1.20.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester make in San Jose?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in San Jose 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 Jose?
A junior Security / Penetration Tester in San Jose earns about $170k a year ($170k), between $140k and $200k. Pay rises to $220k at mid-level.
Is San Jose a good-paying city for Security / Penetration Testers in United States?
San Jose ranks 2nd of 62 tracked United States cities for this role, at 1.20x the national median of $180k. It sits in the top third.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in San Jose?
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 Jose?
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.