Security Engineer vs Penetration Tester: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Security Engineer
Protect systems, networks, and applications from cyber threats.
Penetration Tester
Conduct authorised attacks on systems to find and report vulnerabilities.
Security Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $0/year (0%) higher than a Penetration Tester. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Security Engineer vs Penetration Tester — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Security Engineer | Penetration Tester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $188,453 | $193,496 | Security $5,043 |
| New York, NY | $140,470 | $140,470 | Security +$0 |
| Seattle, WA | $186,157 | $188,841 | Security $2,684 |
| Austin, TX | $141,154 | $145,769 | Security $4,615 |
| Chicago, IL | $136,578 | $135,251 | Security +$1,327 |
| Boston, MA | $169,875 | $171,501 | Security $1,626 |
| London, UK | £103,925 | £102,480 | Security +$1,445 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$169,373 | CA$166,911 | Security +$2,462 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Security Engineer or Penetration Tester earn more?+
A Security Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Security Engineer is $129,180/year, compared to $129,180/year for a Penetration Tester — a difference of $0 (0%).
Which has better career growth — Security Engineer or Penetration Tester?+
Security Engineer roles are growing at 32% YoY while Penetration Tester demand is growing at 30% YoY. Security Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Security Engineer to Penetration Tester?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Python.
Which is harder to automate — Security Engineer or Penetration Tester?+
Penetration Tester has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 32%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.