Security / Penetration Tester salary in Seattle, United States
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Seattle earns a median of $210k a year gross ($210k), from $170k at p10 to $250k at p90. Seattle pays 1.15× the United States median and 17% above the US median of $180k. About 781,000 people live in Seattle.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in Seattle
Gross annual pay in USD. Junior $160k, lead $320k. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | $130k | $160k | $200k | $160k | |
| Mid-level | $170k | $210k | $250k | $210k | |
| Senior | $220k | $270k | $320k | $270k | |
| Lead | $260k | $320k | $390k | $320k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United States median ($180k) times a 1.15 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in Seattle
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 |
| 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 Seattle
2 Security / Penetration Tester jobs in Seattle · QA hiring in Seattle · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester
Security / Penetration Tester salary in Seattle: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in Seattle?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Seattle is $210k a year ($210k). The p10 is $170k and the p90 is $250k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to Seattle with a city factor of 1.15.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester make in Seattle?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in Seattle earns a median of $270k, with a range of $220k to $320k. Leads reach $320k and juniors start near $160k.
What is an entry-level Security / Penetration Tester salary in Seattle?
A junior Security / Penetration Tester in Seattle earns about $160k a year ($160k), between $130k and $200k. Pay rises to $210k at mid-level.
Is Seattle a good-paying city for Security / Penetration Testers in United States?
Seattle ranks 4th of 62 tracked United States cities for this role, at 1.15x the national median of $180k. It sits in the top third.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in Seattle?
Roughly 72-78% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner: about $150k to $160k a year, or $14k a month. This is not tax advice.
What is the hourly rate for a Security / Penetration Tester in Seattle?
A $210k gross salary equals about $100 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.