Occupations · Computer and Mathematical

Penetration Testers

Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques. Attempt to breach and exploit critical systems and gain access to sensitive information to assess system security.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 15-1299.04

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Amazon Web Services AWS software●Ansible software●Apple iOS●Apple macOS●Bash●C●C#●C++●Docker●GitHub●Go●Google Android●IBM Terraform●JavaScript●Kubernetes●Linux●Microsoft Active Directory●Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP●Microsoft Azure software●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft PowerShell●Microsoft SQL Server●Oracle Java●Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE●PHP●Perl●Python●

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Investigative5.2

Conventional5.2

Realistic3.9

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

TesterHackerRisk TesterCyber TesterCyber AnalystCyber AssessorEthical HackerEmbedded TesterSecurity TesterHardware HackerCertified HackerCertified TesterSecurity EngineerPenetration Tester

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2022

Comparing O*NET release 27.1 (2022-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.

Now listed 38

+Rust programming language+Invicti Acunetix+Management information systems MIS+Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript+IBM Terraform+Database management systems+Docker+ServiceNow+Microsoft Office software+Web server software+Wireshark+Google Android+Rapid7 software+Microsoft SQL Server

No longer listed 1

−Operating system software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

TesterHackerRisk TesterCyber TesterCyber AnalystEthical HackerCyber AssessorEmbedded TesterSecurity TesterHardware HackerCertified TesterCertified Hacker

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
ethical hacker	2529.3	exact
ICT security consultant	2529.6	close

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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