Top Ethical Hacking Job Roles & Salary Expectations in 2024
Introduction
With the rise of cyber threats, ethical hackers have become essential for organizations worldwide. Ethical hackers use their hacking skills legally to identify vulnerabilities and protect sensitive data from cybercriminals. If you're considering a career in ethical hacking, it's important to understand the top job roles, required skills, and salary expectations in 2024.
In this guide, you'll learn:
✔ Top ethical hacking job roles
✔ Key skills & certifications needed
✔ Salary expectations by job role & region
✔ How to start a career in ethical hacking
1. What is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking is the practice of testing security systems to find and fix vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them. Ethical hackers use the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers but follow legal and ethical guidelines.
💡 Key Takeaway: Ethical hackers are often called "white hat hackers" and play a crucial role in cybersecurity.
2. Top Ethical Hacking Job Roles in 2024
🔹 1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
✔ Role: Identifies and fixes security vulnerabilities in systems, applications, and networks
✔ Skills Needed: Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, social engineering
✔ Certification: CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) by EC-Council
✔ Salary: $85,000 – $120,000 per year
🔹 2. Penetration Tester (Pentester)
✔ Role: Conducts simulated cyberattacks on systems to test security defenses
✔ Skills Needed: Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap
✔ Certifications: OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester)
✔ Salary: $90,000 – $140,000 per year
🔹 3. Security Analyst
✔ Role: Monitors and defends systems against cyber threats
✔ Skills Needed: SIEM tools, firewall management, threat intelligence
✔ Certifications: CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH
✔ Salary: $75,000 – $110,000 per year
🔹 4. Red Team Specialist
✔ Role: Simulates real-world attacks to test an organization’s security response
✔ Skills Needed: Advanced hacking techniques, phishing attacks, physical security testing
✔ Certifications: CRTP (Certified Red Team Professional), OSCE
✔ Salary: $100,000 – $150,000 per year
🔹 5. Bug Bounty Hunter
✔ Role: Finds and reports security vulnerabilities in software and applications
✔ Skills Needed: Web application security, exploit development, reverse engineering
✔ Certifications: No formal certifications required, but OSCP & CEH are helpful
✔ Salary: $5,000 – $1,000,000 per year (depending on bug discoveries)
🔹 6. SOC Analyst (Security Operations Center Analyst)
✔ Role: Monitors security incidents and responds to cyber threats
✔ Skills Needed: SIEM tools (Splunk, QRadar), threat hunting, incident response
✔ Certifications: CompTIA Security+, CySA+, CEH
✔ Salary: $65,000 – $100,000 per year
🔹 7. Digital Forensics & Incident Responder
✔ Role: Investigates cybercrimes and responds to security breaches
✔ Skills Needed: Digital forensics, malware analysis, threat intelligence
✔ Certifications: GCFA (GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst), CCFP (Certified Cyber Forensics Professional)
✔ Salary: $80,000 – $130,000 per year
🔹 8. Security Consultant
✔ Role: Provides expert advice on improving cybersecurity measures
✔ Skills Needed: Risk assessment, compliance, security frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST)
✔ Certifications: CISSP, CISM, OSCP
✔ Salary: $95,000 – $150,000 per year
💡 Key Takeaway: Ethical hacking careers offer high salaries and growth opportunities, especially for those with advanced certifications and hands-on skills.
3. Ethical Hacking Salary Expectations in 2024 (by Region)
Salaries vary depending on experience, location, and certifications.
📌 Average Salaries for Ethical Hackers by Region
| Country | Entry-Level Salary | Mid-Level Salary | Senior-Level Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | $70,000 – $90,000 | $100,000 – $140,000 | $150,000+ |
| UK | £45,000 – £60,000 | £70,000 – £90,000 | £100,000+ |
| Canada | CAD 75,000 – CAD 90,000 | CAD 100,000 – CAD 130,000 | CAD 140,000+ |
| India | ₹6 LPA – ₹12 LPA | ₹15 LPA – ₹25 LPA | ₹30 LPA+ |
| Australia | AUD 80,000 – AUD 100,000 | AUD 120,000 – AUD 150,000 | AUD 170,000+ |
💡 Key Takeaway: The USA, UK, and Australia offer the highest salaries, while India has strong growth potential.
4. How to Start a Career in Ethical Hacking
If you’re interested in ethical hacking, follow these steps:
🎯 Step 1: Learn the Basics of Cybersecurity
✔ Study networking, operating systems, and security concepts
✔ Get hands-on experience with Kali Linux, Metasploit, Wireshark
🎯 Step 2: Get Certified
✔ Beginner: CompTIA Security+, CEH
✔ Intermediate: OSCP, GPEN, CISSP
✔ Advanced: OSCE, CRTP, LPT Master
🎯 Step 3: Gain Practical Experience
✔ Work on real-world penetration testing projects
✔ Participate in bug bounty programs (HackerOne, Bugcrowd)
🎯 Step 4: Apply for Ethical Hacking Jobs
✔ Build a strong cybersecurity resume & LinkedIn profile
✔ Apply to companies, government agencies, and cybersecurity firms
💡 Key Takeaway: Certifications + hands-on experience = High-paying ethical hacking jobs
Final Thoughts
Ethical hacking is a high-demand, high-paying career with excellent growth opportunities. Whether you choose to be a pen tester, SOC analyst, red team specialist, or bug bounty hunter, there’s a huge demand for cybersecurity professionals in 2024.
💡 Key Takeaways:
✔ Ethical hacking jobs offer salaries from $75,000 to $150,000+
✔ Certifications like CEH, OSCP, and CISSP boost career prospects
✔ Practical experience is essential for landing high-paying roles
✔ The demand for cybersecurity experts is growing worldwide
🚀 Are you planning to become an ethical hacker? Drop your questions below!