Tamhu

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 your tools are worth

Occupation-based, not posting-based: how much employment, pay and projected growth sit behind each tool. It is not a count of job ads.

ToolValueSpread across occupations
C#8816 → 55 occupations since 2015
Python8857 → 132 occupations since 2015
C8751 → 69 occupations since 2015

What your tools are worth

Locked

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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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Which of these skills do you have

Essential skills for this occupation per the ESCO classification, most specific first. The report shows what you have and what separates you from the occupation's profile.

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What you learn$29$49$99
What it pays in your city and industry✓✓✓
Working conditions, preparation, education✓✓✓
What you carry into another occupation✓✓✓
What this job is called in postings✓✓✓
How pay changed over the yearsbrief✓✓
Where the industry changes the number—✓✓
Where the work actually is—✓✓
What appeared and disappeared in the job—✓✓
How long it takes to become competent—✓✓
Where to move next and what to learn—✓✓
What AI is already changing in this job—✓✓
What your tools are worth on the market—✓✓
What to study to get in—✓✓
What the same work pays in Britain——✓
What the same work pays in Canada——✓
Who hires, by name, and at what rates——✓
The money ladder by skill level——✓
Cities that actually sponsor visas——✓
Sections in the report, typically73–7155–16198–23
Who it is forIf you are deciding whether this work is worth your time.If you are in the occupation and deciding where to move next.If you are aiming for an offer abroad.
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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+Microsoft Office software+Wireshark+Web server software+Google Cloud software+Ansible software+Ghidra+Splunk Enterprise+Magellan Firmware+MITRE ATT&CK software+Software development tools+RESTful API+System testing software

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”.

Related jobs

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 occupationISCOMatch
ethical hacker2529.3exact
ICT security consultant2529.6close

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

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