Mostly Resilient
Last Update: 10/7/2026
AI Resilience Score for Penetration Testers:
51.4%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Low
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
High
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
High
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
Most data sources align, with only minor variation. This is a well-supported result.
AI Resilience Report forPenetration Testers
$116,580 median salary•27,000 annual openings•SOC Code: 15-1299.04
Penetration Testers are somewhat more resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 4 sources.
Penetration testing earns a "Mostly Resilient" label because AI is changing how the work gets done rather than eliminating the need for human testers altogether. The most repetitive parts of the job, like scanning systems, writing reports, and running routine scripts, are being heavily assisted by AI (with automation rates of 65 to 72 percent for some tasks), but the judgment calls, like figuring out whether a vulnerability is truly dangerous or mapping out a full attack chain, still need a sharp human mind.
Learn more about how you can thrive in this position
This role is mostly resilient
Penetration testing earns a "Mostly Resilient" label because AI is changing how the work gets done rather than eliminating the need for human testers altogether. The most repetitive parts of the job, like scanning systems, writing reports, and running routine scripts, are being heavily assisted by AI (with automation rates of 65 to 72 percent for some tasks), but the judgment calls, like figuring out whether a vulnerability is truly dangerous or mapping out a full attack chain, still need a sharp human mind.
Read full analysisAnalysis of current AI resilience
Penetration Testers
Updated quarterly
How can Penetration Testers prepare for AI?
Latest AI news for Penetration Testers
These articles provide valuable insights for students pursuing careers as penetration testers. They highlight that while AI can enhance efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and optimizing attack strategies, human expertise is irreplaceable. For instance, one article emphasizes that AI can outperform many professionals in specific tasks, yet it cannot replicate the nuanced judgment and creativity required in complex security challenges. Embracing AI as a tool for resilience in penetration testing will be crucial, as it allows testers to focus on more strategic and innovative aspects of their work.
Will AI Replace Human Pentesters?
www.linkedin.com • 9/20/2026
This research paper offers a thorough examination of AI's impact on penetration testing roles globally. ... Job Market Trends and Impact on ... Read more
Will AI Replace Penetration Testers? Finding Isn't the Job
simbian.ai • 9/20/2026
Aug 24, 2026 — Will AI replace penetration testers? An AI agent outperformed 9 of 10 professionals in a 2025 study. What changed, what did not, ...
The Role of AI in Modern Penetration Testing
arxiv.org • 9/20/2026
Dec 13, 2025 — AI offers promising capabilities for pentesting, by automating repetitive tasks, optimizing attack strategies, and uncovering novel ... Read more
Will AI Replace Cybersecurity? Here’s What We Know
www.wiz.io • 3/19/2026
Explore whether AI will replace cybersecurity professionals and learn why human expertise remains essential for security while AI enhances...
Is AI saving jobs… or taking them?
www.ibm.com • 3/8/2025
Is artificial intelligence coming to take your cybersecurity job, or save it? Like most things AI-related, the answer is complicated.
More Career Info
Career: Penetration Testers
They test computer systems by trying to hack them, helping companies find and fix security flaws to keep information safe.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$116,580
Jobs (2025)
471,200
Growth (2025-35)
+5.1%
Annual Openings
27,000
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Assess the physical security of servers, systems, or network devices to identify vulnerability to temperature, vandalism, or natural disasters.
2
Discuss security solutions with information technology teams or management.
3
Update corporate policies to improve cyber security.
4
Collect stakeholder data to evaluate risk and to develop mitigation strategies.
5
Develop security penetration testing processes, such as wireless, data networks, and telecommunication security tests.
6
Design security solutions to address known device vulnerabilities.
7
Configure information systems to incorporate principles of least functionality and least access.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
