Ethical Hacker Salary in US : Increments, Earnings, Trends, and Top Hiring Companies
Certified Ethical Hacking Salary and Demand Surge
The demand for ethical hackers has surged in recent years, driven by the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and data breaches as well as the growing importance of cybersecurity across various industries. This increase in demand has also influenced the ethical hacking salary, which continues to grow as organizations recognize the value of cybersecurity professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow by 33% between 2020 and 2030. Since ethical hacking is a vital part of this field, there will be numerous opportunities for ethical hackers in the years ahead, along with competitive ethical hacking salaries to attract top talent.
Who Are Ethical Hackers?
Ethical or white-hat hackers are cybersecurity experts who leverage their hacking skills to find and fix vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. They operate within legal guidelines to strengthen defenses and prevent malicious attacks. Reflecting the critical role they play, these professionals enjoy a competitive white hat hacker salary. Read on to find out the requirements expected from these professionals and what you can do to command a higher ethical hacking salary.
What Do Ethical Hackers Do?
Ethical hackers simulate cyberattacks, test systems for weaknesses, and report their findings to help organizations fix vulnerabilities. Their work includes vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and securing networks to prevent breaches. As a result, these professionals play an important role in safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring the security of digital infrastructure. Given the vital nature of their role, the ethical hacking salary is often a key attraction for professionals entering this field.
Ethical Hacker Salary in the U.S.
$112,137 /annum
The average annual ethical hacker salary is $112,137 per annum.
Top U.S. Companies Offering High Cybersecurity Salaries
These Fortune 500 companies rely heavily on cybersecurity professionals to protect their massive data networks from potential cyber-attacks. The financial services, defense, healthcare, and technology sectors are mainly known for recruiting ethical hackers.
Top U.S. Companies Offering High Cybersecurity Salaries
These Fortune 500 companies rely heavily on cybersecurity professionals to protect safeguard their massive data networks from potential cyberattacks. Financial services, defense, healthcare, and technology sectors are mainly known for recruiting ethical hackers.
The Rise of Ethical Hacker
Salary Globally
The ethical hacking salary has been witnessing a steady rise over the past decade, driven by a few key factors including:
Growing Cybersecurity Threats
With cyberattacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, organizations are ramping up their cybersecurity investments. High-profile data breaches, ransomware incidents, and state-sponsored hacking have highlighted the need for robust defenses, in turn, driving the demand for a higher ethical hacking salary for skilled, ethical hackers.
Regulatory Compliance
Governments worldwide are implementing more stringent data protection laws, such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Organizations need robust cybersecurity strategies to comply with these regulations, creating a greater demand for ethical hackers who can help safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance.
Technology Advancement
The rise of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing has given rise to new security challenges. Organizations are increasingly willing to pay higher salaries to ethical hacking professionals who can tackle these emerging threats and stay ahead of the latest advancements.
Shortage of Skilled Professionals
There is a greater need for qualified cybersecurity professionals. In 2022, Kate Behncken, Corporate Vice-President and Global Head of Microsoft Philanthropies, had pointed out the availability of 3.5 million job vacancies in cybersecurity globally. This would create a competitive scenario, wherein ethical hackers with certifications can command higher salaries as companies vie for top talent.
How to Become an In-demand Ethical Hacker Drawing a the Highest Paying Salaries Globally
If you’re interested in advancing your ethical hacking and penetration testing skills, EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) is a top recommendation. It is one of the most recognized and recommended certifications in the cybersecurity space, which not only enhances your expertise but also makes you a top candidate for roles with an attractive ethical hacking salary. Here’s why it’s an excellent choice:
World’s No. 1 Ethical Hacking Course
Core Focus on VAPT
Cutting-Edge Tools
AI in Cybersecurity
Real-World Skills
World’s No. 1 Ethical Hacking Course
Core Focus on VAPT
Core Focus on VAPT
C|EH’s core focus on Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), which includes ethical hacking, penetration testing, and network security skills, opens doors to red team and blue teams too. The C|EH course is designed to teach you to think like a hacker, with an emphasis on the 5 phases of ethical hacking, covering over 550 attack techniques.
Cutting-Edge Tools
Cutting-Edge Tools
The latest version, CEH v13, integrates AI-powered tools and techniques to automate tasks like vulnerability scanning, reconnaissance, and exploitation. AI enhances your efficiency to detect vulnerabilities, analyze large datasets, and automate repetitive hacking tasks. Additionally, you get access to over 4,000 hacking and security tools.
AI in Cybersecurity
AI in Cybersecurity
Mastering how AI is integrated into ethical hacking gives you a competitive edge as the industry moves toward AI-driven cybersecurity. Leverage AI to predict and defend against threats faster than ever, while also learning to hack AI-enabled attack systems.
Real-World Skills
Real-World Skills
With 221 hands-on labs, gain real-world hacking experience through live network practice. C|EH Engage offers live hacking simulations, while C|EH Compete provides access to 12 CTF challenges for ongoing skill development. C|EH includes two exams—a 4-hour knowledge-based test with 125 multiple-choice questions and a 6-hour practical exam with 20 scenarios. Both are ANAB 17024 accredited and US DoD approved. Not just limited to ethical hacker, the C|EH modules are mapped to 45+ cybersecurity job roles.
EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) is the world’s leading ethical hacking certification. This certification covers all the essential techniques, tools, and methodologies required for ethical hacking. Moreover, it is the only ethical hacking certification in the world to harness the power of AI. C|EH equips candidates with cryptography and security testing skills in addition to providing practical training through labs and real-world scenarios, thereby preparing them for a successful career with a competitive ethical hacking salary. As the demand for cybersecurity professionals increases, so does the salary of ethical hackers, reflecting the critical role these experts play in safeguarding organizations. Below, we explore the factors driving the growth of ethical hacking salary and identify top recruiting companies globally.
CEH opens doors to over 45+ job roles and is recognized worldwide.
Increase your opportunities with CEH
- Mid-Level Information Security Auditor
- Cybersecurity Auditor
- Security Administrator
- IT Security Administrator
- Information Security Analyst 1
- Infosec Security Administrator
- Cybersecurity Analyst level 1, level 2, & level 3
- Network Security Engineer
- SOC Security Analyst
- Network Engineer
- Senior Security Consultant
- Information Security Manager
- Senior SOC Analyst
- Solution Architect
- Cybersecurity Consultant
- Cyber Defense Analyst
- Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
- Warning Analyst
- All-Source Analyst
- Cyber Defense Incident Responder
- Research & Development Specialist
- Senior Cloud Security Analyst
- Third Party Risk Management:
- Threat Hunting Analyst
- Penetration Tester
- Cyber Delivery Manager
- Application Security Risk
- Threat Modelling Specialist
- Web Application Penetration Testing
- SAP Vulnerability Management – Solution Delivery Advisor
- Ethical Hacker
- SIEM Threat Responder
- Product Security Engineer / Manager
- Endpoint Security Engineer
- Cybersecurity Instructor
- Red Team Specialist
- Data Protection & Privacy Officer
- SOAR Engineer
- AI Security Engineer
- Sr. IAM Engineer
- PCI Security Advisor
- Exploitation Analyst (EA)
- Zero Trust Solutions Engineer / Analyst
- Cryptographic Engineer
- AI/ML Security Engineer
- Machine Learning Security Specialist
- AI Penetration Tester
- AI/ML Security Consultant
Master 5 phases of ethical hacking framework in CEHv13, also integrated with AI.
Phase 1
Reconnaissance
Gathering information on targets before launching an attack.
Phase 2
Scanning Networks
Identifying active systems, open ports, and vulnerabilities.
Phase 3
Gaining Access
Exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Phase 4
Maintaining Access
Creating backdoors and persistent connections.
Phase 5
Covering Tracks
Erasing evidence of any activities on compromised systems.
Higher Employability
High Demand
C|EH-certified professionals are in demand across various industries including IT, banking, healthcare, and government among others. Organizations are increasingly focused on hiring ethical hackers to safeguard their systems from growing cyber threats.
Global Recognition
The C|EH certification is trusted by companies worldwide, leading to higher employability. Whether you're aiming to become a penetration tester, security analyst, or SOC analyst, C|EH boosts your credibility in the job market.
Competitive Salaries
CEH salary levels are higher due to their specialized skill set in identifying and mitigating cyber threats.
Conclusion
The role of certified ethical hackers has become essential in today’s digital landscape, with a growing need for cybersecurity in all industries. As cyber threats evolve, so do the opportunities and compensation for skilled professionals in this field. As there is an ascending demand for ethical hackers amidst the top global companiesprofessionals with the required skills and certifications can reap very high rewards. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, the position of an ethical hacker is in high demand, and there are no indications that it will witness a decline. Hence, it is a great time to pursue a career in the field of cybersecurity.
Primary Sources for Salaries and Job Role Data
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor ,Cybersecurity Ventures, salary.com , salaryexpert.com, salaryexplorer.com, ambitionbox.com, payscale, Job Street, builtin, worldsalaries.com, salaryexpert.com, Jobstreet, Japan Dev, TechBehemoths
Nucamp,
Accreditations and Recognitions
EC-Council is recommended and endorsed by leading organizations and government bodies in the cybersecurity industry.
American Council on Education (ACE)
A membership organization that leads higher education with a united vision for the future.
ANSI National Accreditation
The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) provides accreditation services in over 75 countries and is the largest accreditation body in North America.
Army Credentialing Assistance
Provides Army soldiers with full tuition and exam cost coverage for IT, cybersecurity, and project management certifications.
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
A partnership between government, academia, and the private sector focused on cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.