Jobs Similar to Penetration Testers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to penetration testers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Computer Network Architects, Information Security Engineers and Information Security Analysts.
Penetration Testers: $116,580 (broader BLS group) · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Penetration Testers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Network ArchitectsSame group | 84% | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Information Security EngineersSame group | 83% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Information Security AnalystsSame group | 83% | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsSame group | 82% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 5 | Digital Forensics AnalystsSame group | 80% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Computer Systems AnalystsSame group | 80% | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersSame group | 79% | $104,300 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Database AdministratorsSame group | 79% | $104,620 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Blockchain EngineersSame group | 78% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Software DevelopersSame group | 78% | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Data Warehousing SpecialistsSame group | 78% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Web AdministratorsSame group | 77% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Computer ProgrammersSame group | 77% | $100,390 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists | 77% | $130,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Web DevelopersSame group | 77% | $92,650 | Training or associate |
| 16 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsSame group | 76% | $140,300 | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Geographic Information Systems Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 76% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Database ArchitectsSame group | 76% | $139,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Computer Hardware Engineers | 75% | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Statistical Assistants | 74% | $50,330 | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Computer Network Architects
84% similar · $134,050 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Information Security Engineers
83% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Information Security Analysts
83% similar · $129,180 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
82% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 5Digital Forensics Analysts
80% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Computer Systems Analysts
80% similar · $105,850 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
79% similar · $104,300 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Database Administrators
79% similar · $104,620 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 9Blockchain Engineers
78% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Software Developers
78% similar · $135,980 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Data Warehousing Specialists
78% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Web Administrators
77% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13Computer Programmers
77% similar · $100,390 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
77% similar · $130,220 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 15Web Developers
77% similar · $92,650 · Training or associate · Same group
- 16Computer and Information Research Scientists
76% similar · $140,300 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
76% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Database Architects
76% similar · $139,500 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 19Computer Hardware Engineers
75% similar · $161,740 · Bachelor's degree
- 20Statistical Assistants
74% similar · $50,330 · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for penetration testers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where penetration testers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists (77)
- Data Scientists (74)
- Remote Sensing Technicians (74)
- Security Management Specialists (74)
- Validation Engineers (73)
- Social Science Research Assistants (72)
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors (71)
- Electrical Engineers (70)
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (67)
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer (66)
Questions about jobs like penetration testers
What jobs are most similar to penetration testers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Computer Network Architects (84% similar), Information Security Engineers (83% similar), Information Security Analysts (83% similar), Computer Systems Engineers/Architects (82% similar) and Digital Forensics Analysts (80% similar).
Do jobs like penetration testers pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than penetration testers where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.