📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Penetration Tester Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Very High Demand

Average
$107,380
per year
Median
$101,920
per year
Hourly
$51.62
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$68,705
25th Percentile — Junior$88,725
50th Percentile — Median$101,920
75th Percentile — Senior$133,770
90th Percentile — Top Earners$150,696
💡 Top-earning Penetration Testers in North Carolina make up to $150,696 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$73.1k
2021
$78.9k
2022
$85.2k
2023
$92.1k
2024
$99.4k
2025
$107.4k
2026
📈 Penetration Tester salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 8.0% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Penetration Tester Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $103,085 -4.0% Very High
Raleigh $105,232 -2.0% Very High
Greensboro $96,642 -10.0% Very High
Durham $104,159 -3.0% Very High
Winston-Salem $93,421 -13.0% Very High
🔍
Penetration Tester Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Penetration Testers. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $107,380 per year, North Carolina's Penetration Tester salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $68,705–$88,725, while experienced Penetration Testers can command $133,770–$150,696.

Looking ahead, the Penetration Tester profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 8.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Penetration Tester salary in North Carolina is $107,380 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $118,000.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Penetration Testers the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Penetration Tester employment.
  • At $107,380/year, North Carolina Penetration Tester salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $118,000/year.