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How to Become a Penetration Tester: Top Entry-Level Jobs
- Learning Saint
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
Introduction:
Cybersecurity has become one of the most in-demand fields globally, and penetration testing sits at the heart of it. Organizations today face constant cyber threats, making ethical hackers essential for identifying vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them. If you’re wondering how to become a penetration tester, the journey often begins with the right entry-level roles.
A penetration tester (also known as an ethical hacker) legally simulates cyberattacks to find security weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications. This role is highly technical, challenging, and rewarding—both financially and professionally. However, beginners often make the mistake of aiming directly for a “Penetration Tester” job title without building foundational experience.
This guide focuses on how to become a penetration tester by starting with top entry-level jobs, building skills step by step, and transitioning into a full-time ethical hacking role.
Who Is a Penetration Tester? Role, Responsibilities & Scope
Before you become a penetration tester, it’s important to understand what the role truly involves. A penetration tester is responsible for identifying, exploiting, and reporting security flaws in an organization’s digital infrastructure—ethically and legally.
Key Responsibilities:
Conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration tests
Simulating real-world cyberattacks
Identifying misconfigurations and insecure code
Writing detailed technical reports
Suggesting remediation and security improvements
Scope of Penetration Testing:
Network Penetration Testing
Web Application Testing
Mobile Application Security
Cloud & Infrastructure Security
Social Engineering (in some cases)
Understanding these responsibilities early helps beginners choose the right entry-level job aligned with their long-term goal to become a penetration tester.
Why Entry-Level Jobs Matter in a Penetration Testing Career
One of the most common misconceptions is that penetration testing is an entry-level role. In reality, it is a mid-level to advanced cybersecurity position. This is why entry-level jobs are crucial if you want to learn how to become a penetration tester the right way.
Why You Need Entry-Level Experience:
Builds real-world exposure to security operations
Strengthens fundamentals like networking and system security
Helps you understand enterprise environments
Makes your resume credible for ethical hacking roles
Most successful penetration testers start in roles like SOC Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, or Vulnerability Analyst. These roles act as stepping stones and significantly increase your chances to become a penetration tester faster.
Essential Skills Required to Become a Penetration Tester
To become a penetration tester, you need a strong combination of technical expertise and analytical thinking.
Technical Skills:
Networking Fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, firewalls)
Operating Systems (Linux & Windows internals)
Web Technologies (HTML, JavaScript, APIs)
Scripting & Programming (Python, Bash, basic SQL)
Security Concepts (OWASP Top 10, CVEs, vulnerabilities)
Non-Technical Skills:
Problem-solving mindset
Attention to detail
Ethical responsibility
Communication & report writing
Entry-level jobs help you sharpen these skills daily, preparing you to eventually become a penetration tester capable of handling real-world attacks.
Educational Background & Certifications for Beginners
There is no single degree required to become a penetration tester, but a structured learning path helps significantly.
Educational Background:
Computer Science
Information Technology
Cybersecurity
Self-taught learners with hands-on labs
Beginner-Friendly Certifications:
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker – foundational level)
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Network+
Google Cybersecurity Certificate
eJPT (Junior Penetration Tester)
These certifications improve your chances of landing entry-level jobs and demonstrate your commitment to becoming a penetration tester.
Top Entry-Level Jobs to Become a Penetration Tester
This is the most important section for beginners learning how to become a penetration tester.
1. Junior Penetration Tester
Assists senior testers
Conducts basic vulnerability scans
Learns reporting and methodology
2. Cybersecurity Analyst
Monitors systems for threats
Investigates security incidents
Builds strong defensive knowledge
3. SOC Analyst (Level 1)
Works in a Security Operations Center
Handles alerts, logs, and incident response
Ideal foundation for offensive security
4. Information Security Analyst
Implements security policies
Performs risk assessments
Works closely with compliance teams
5. Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
Scans systems for vulnerabilities
Analyzes CVEs and weaknesses
Perfect bridge role to penetration testing
These roles provide real exposure and are the fastest path to become a penetration tester.
Internships & Apprenticeships in Ethical Hacking
If you’re a fresher or student, internships are one of the best ways to start learning how to become a penetration tester.
Benefits of Internships:
Hands-on security testing experience
Exposure to tools and methodologies
Networking with professionals
Higher chances of full-time conversion
Look for:
Cybersecurity internships
Ethical hacking internships
SOC or security analyst internships
Even unpaid or short-term internships can add massive value when your goal is to become a penetration tester.
Tools You Should Know Before Applying for Entry-Level Roles
Before applying for entry-level cybersecurity jobs, you should be comfortable with common security tools.
Must-Know Tools:
Nmap
Burp Suite
Metasploit
Wireshark
Nessus / OpenVAS
Kali Linux
Hands-on experience with these tools—via labs and practice platforms—makes it much easier to get hired and eventually become a penetration tester.
How to Gain Hands-On Experience Without a Job
You don’t need a job to start practicing penetration testing.
Practice Platforms:
TryHackMe
Hack The Box
PortSwigger Web Security Academy
OverTheWire
Other Methods:
Bug bounty programs
Home labs using VirtualBox
Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges
These platforms simulate real-world attacks and are highly valued by recruiters hiring for entry-level roles.
Building a Strong Resume for Entry-Level Penetration Testing Jobs
Your resume plays a critical role in how to become a penetration tester.
Resume Tips:
Highlight hands-on labs and tools
Mention certifications and projects
Add GitHub or lab profiles
Focus on security-related experience
A well-structured resume can help you secure entry-level roles that directly lead to becoming a penetration tester.
How to Prepare for Penetration Tester Interviews
Once you start applying for entry-level roles or junior security positions, interview preparation becomes a critical step in how to become a penetration tester. Employers don’t just test theoretical knowledge—they evaluate your mindset, methodology, and ethical understanding.
What Interviewers Commonly Ask:
Basics of networking (TCP/IP, DNS, ports, firewalls)
Web vulnerabilities (SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF)
Difference between vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
Your approach to testing a web application or network
Tools you’ve used and why
How to Prepare Effectively:
Practice explaining attack steps clearly
Understand OWASP Top 10 thoroughly
Be ready to discuss labs, CTFs, or real projects
Learn how to write and explain security reports
Showing structured thinking and ethical awareness often matters more than knowing every exploit, especially for candidates aiming to become a penetration tester.
Career Path: From Entry-Level Roles to Penetration Tester
Understanding the long-term career path helps you stay motivated and focused on how to become a penetration tester.
Typical Career Progression:
IT Support / Network Engineer (optional)
SOC Analyst / Cybersecurity Analyst
Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
Junior Penetration Tester
Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker
Senior Penetration Tester / Red Team Specialist
Each role builds skills that prepare you for advanced offensive security responsibilities. This step-by-step growth is the most realistic way to become a penetration tester in today’s competitive job market.
Salary Expectations for Entry-Level Penetration Testing Jobs
Salary is a major motivation for many aspiring ethical hackers. While entry-level roles don’t pay as much as senior penetration testing jobs, they still offer strong earning potential.
Average Salary Estimates (Entry-Level):
SOC Analyst (L1): Competitive starting pay with growth potential
Cybersecurity Analyst: Higher than general IT roles
Junior Penetration Tester: Above-average security salaries
As you gain experience, certifications, and hands-on skills, salaries increase rapidly. Within a few years, professionals who become penetration testers often earn significantly more than traditional IT roles.
Common Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid
Many learners struggle in their journey because they misunderstand how to become a penetration tester.
Common Mistakes:
Skipping fundamentals like networking and Linux
Relying only on certifications without practice
Avoiding entry-level security jobs
Copying exploits without understanding them
Ignoring report writing and communication skills
Avoiding these mistakes early will save you years of frustration and help you become a penetration tester faster and more confidently.
Final Roadmap: How to Become a Penetration Tester Successfully
To summarize, here is a clear and realistic roadmap for beginners.
Step-by-Step Roadmap:
Learn networking, Linux, and security basics
Practice using labs and CTF platforms
Earn beginner cybersecurity certifications
Apply for entry-level security roles
Gain real-world experience and document your work
Transition into junior penetration testing roles
Continue learning advanced attack techniques
Becoming an ethical hacker is not about shortcuts—it’s about consistency, curiosity, and ethical responsibility. If you follow this roadmap, you’ll have a clear path on how to become a penetration tester and successfully build a long-term cybersecurity career.
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