Introduction:
1、Who are the Highest Paid Ethical Hackers in the World?

2、How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Employee in India
Who are the Highest Paid Ethical Hackers in the World? ♂
Ethical hacking essentially involves a regulated attempt to obtain unauthorized access to computer systems to explore security vulnerabilities using different hacking tools and techniques and resolve them before any malicious attacker takes advantage of it. For example, an organization's valuable data could be hacked to tarnish its reputation, leading to heavy monetary losses. That's where ethical hacking comes to the rescue.
An ethical hacker is a security expert who conducts these assessments with the organization's prior approval to test and enhance the system's security defenses and prevent data breaches. They probe the system thoroughly to determine the existing vulnerabilities and then come up with solutions to improve the system's security so it can withstand or divert any malicious cyber-attacks.
Ethical hackers have witnessed tremendous growth over the last couple of years and are in demand. Besides, the income range of ethical hackers is quite impressive, with organizations ready to pay a huge sum to maintain their system security. This guide will discuss the highest paid ethical hacker, the skillset needed to be a successful ethical hacker, the reasons behind their rising demand, and more. So, let's dive in.
According to surveys, ethical hackers receive the highest paycheck at companies in San Francisco (around $150,000) and the lowest pay by companies in Minneapolis (around $97,000). On the other hand, the average salary for a CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) in the US is around $90,000 per annum. It can go over $120,000 for experienced professionals who hold a top Ethical Hacking certification.
Having just a bachelor's degree in computer science, cyber security, or other related fields is not enough. Your skill and technical expertise in this sphere will greatly help you get the highest paid ethical hacker employment opportunities. Developing the in-demand skillset is the perfect way to seek a lucrative salary as an expert.
You must concentrate on understanding the trending skills in this field and those that offer good pay. When it comes to popularity, the skills that are most popular among ethical hackers are network management, Linux, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and security.
Network security management is the most monetarily beneficial skill set for an ethical hacker as it extends 59% higher pay than the average pay scale. Meanwhile, IT infrastructure and security offer 9% higher pay than the average pay. The other skills that ethical hackers should possess include understanding cryptography and encryption techniques, proficiency in cracking different passwords, and awareness of the common types of cyberattacks like trojans, phishing, and more.
If you want to apply to a prestigious organization, it is important to brush up on your skills and enrich your knowledge. Enrolling in the best certs for cyber security can help you learn the essential hacking skills and techniques and become a skilled and confident professional. Most organizations hire certified professionals who hold at least one reliable certification. Know more about free apps to learn ethical hacking.
Like other network and computer security roles, the demand for ethical hackers is high and is only rising as the cost and severity of cyberattacks surge. Organizations that take cybersecurity seriously don't just protect their customer and company data but also secure a competitive edge over others in their sector that have not done so. In fact, organizations in desperate need of certified and skilled ethical hackers are even willing to shell out a premium amount. In India, the average salary of an ethical hacker is about Rs 5 lakh per annum. However, the amount can go up to Rs 10 lakh per annum depending on the skill, experience, location, and company.
There are many companies worldwide that pay a lucrative wage to ethical hackers. However, the top ten highest paying companies for ethical hackers are.
As per Glassdoor, Tesla pays an average salary of around $167,552 per annum to ethical hackers, which is 39% higher compared to the average yearly salary of the ethical hackers working in the US.
Lenovo pays an average yearly salary of about $145,745 to ethical hackers. It also offers numerous employee benefits, including paid holidays, health insurance, employee assistance, etc.
The ethical hackers at Bank of America earn an average yearly salary of $158,947. The employees also receive other benefits like a retirement plan, a 401k plan, paid leave, etc.
According to Glassdoor, Google pays an average yearly salary of about $120,000 to its ethical hackers. It also extends other employee benefits such as tuition assistance, performance bonuses, health insurance, etc.
IBM pays an average annual salary of about $110,457 to its ethical hackers. The employees also benefit from other packages like retirement plans, disability benefits, etc.
HackerRank pays an average yearly salary of around $116,355 to its ethical hackers, which is 13% higher compared to the average yearly salary of the ethical hackers working in the US.
Little Caesars pays an average annual salary of around $110,457 to its ethical hackers. Employees also receive other generous benefits like retirement plans, life insurance, etc.
The ethical hackers at Test receive an average yearly salary of around $102,931. They also get childcare services, employee assistance, life insurance, etc.
The ethical hackers at the US Army receive an average yearly salary of around $96,000, alongside other benefits like health insurance, paid leave, etc.
As per Glassdoor, Stellantis pays its ethical hackers an average yearly salary of around $122,159. They also get other benefits like medical insurance, relocation assistance, etc.
The popular cities in the US that have highest paying ethical hackers include Washington, ($67,000 - $126,121), San Antonio ($51,456 - $90,999), New York ($50,143 - $124,608), Atlanta ($49,550 - $110,936), and San Diego ($76,754 - $121,694).
Meanwhile, the popular cities in India that offer the highest paid ethical hacker employment opportunities are Mumbai?(Rs 218,305 - Rs 1,072,867), Bangalore?(Rs 256,635 - Rs 1,133,880), Pune?(Rs 254,028 - Rs 1,043,389), Chennai (Rs 241,957 - Rs 913,540), and Hyderabad (Rs 236,718 - Rs 982,635).
As security threats and risks keep rising, there is an increasing need for solid security measures. Nearly all businesses are affected due to cyberattacks. In fact, the price of information breaches reached $4.24mn in 2021, which is 10% higher compared to the year before. For this reason, the demand for ethical hacking is so high.
Business owners these days recruit security experts to keep their sensitive data in the minds and hands of professionals whose job consists of safeguarding this very data. Moreover, organizations who invest in cybersecurity also ensure that they are one step ahead of their competitors as they go that extra mile just to make sure that they don't experience any security lapses.
Another major reason organizations are giving importance to cybersecurity is the rise in the use of cloud computing by companies from all sectors. That not just places their complete business data on the web but even exposes it to security threats that crop up with irregular security updates. Additionally, budget allocations toward cybersecurity investment have increased rapidly, which further justifies the ever-growing demand for ethical hackers.
For tech enthusiasts looking for professional challenges and development, considering ethical hacking as a career can be a great option. If you wish to improve your analytical, computer, and problem-solving skills, you should obtain the KnowledgeHut top Ethical Hacking certification. That will also help you grab a good placement in the highly competitive ethical hacker employment landscape.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Employee in India ♂
With the shift to remote working, companies across the globe are increasingly seeking top-tier, remote talent beyond the corporate HQ. Outsourcing to India is popular. It offers a large pool of highly skilled professionals. Additionally, it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
If you plan to expand, India might be the ideal starting point for building your distributed team. IT infrastructure is well-established, English is widely spoken, and despite a rapidly growing economy, the cost of living is still lower than most countries.
In fact, salaries remain well below the US and Canadian averages at about $428.49USD per month.
But when it comes to hiring Indian talent, salaries aren’t the only monetary consideration to factor into your budget. It is important to consider the costs of setting up an employment package. This includes tax contributions, social security contributions, overtime and vacation pay, stipends and benefits. All of these factors must be taken into account before beginning the hiring process.
We analyzed the costs of hiring an employee in India, including mandatory and optional expenses. This will help you expand your global reach without increasing hiring costs.
?Mandatory Costs of Hiring in India
Mandatory hiring costs are non-negotiable expenses when hiring remote, Indian talent. Proper accounting of salaries, taxes, overtime pay, and vacation pay is essential. Otherwise, you may break local labor laws and regulations. Mandatory costs include:Salary
The average minimum wage in India is INR 32,840 (USD $422). That said, minimum wage in India is complex and there is no statutory minimum wage for organizations in the private sector outside of regulated “factory” sectors.
Employers do not have a legal obligation to pay a minimum salary. However, salaries vary widely across industries and job types, as is the case with most countries. To offer a competitive salary, employers must consider the type of job and the skills required for success.
Generally, salaries in India are much lower than in the U.S. and Canada. This means you will pay less for similarly qualified workers in countries with a stronger economy.
?Taxes and Benefits
All employers are required to contribute 20.33% in payroll taxes. This money goes toward an Employees’ Provident Fund (12%) and Employees’ Pension Scheme (8.33%).??Overtime Pay
Standard working hours are 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week. The standard workweek is from Monday to Friday.
Most roles don?require overtime pay. However, all factory workers must receive additional overtime pay. Industry practice is to give extra pro-rated PTO or pay twice the regular rate for overtime work.Severance Pay
Depending on the reason for their termination, employees in India may be entitled to severance pay:Termination due to redundancy: Employees are entitled to severance pay equivalent to 15 days?f pay at their average pay rate for every 1 year of continuous service or part thereof in excess of 6 months?Employees who are dismissed: Employers must pay termination benefits including leave accrued, gratuity payment (for employees with over 5 years of continuous service), payment in lieu of notice (if no notice is given), statutory bonus payment, and any other amounts due under the employment contract.?Employees who are terminated due to misconduct: Are not entitled to notice period or severance pay
?Supplemental Costs of Hiring in India
When the world is your competition, it pays to incentivize new and existing hires with attractive supplementary benefits like medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement savings plans and other stipends and perks.
Offering attractive supplementary benefits boosts morale and increases retention. This lowers onboarding costs, helping to establish a strong, remote team you can rely on. Benefits
In India, there are a variety of supplementary benefits certain companies offer. Typical supplementary benefits can include:
Health Benefits: In India, citizens are entitled to free care in public health facilities with no deductibles, co-payments, or coinsurance. However, government funding for health care is limited and often inaccessible and as a result, a significant portion of outpatient and inpatient care is delivered at private, high-priced facilities, with costs typically paid out-of-pocket.
To complement the government-funded health care in India, many companies will offer private health insurance to offset costs. One popular company with a variety of insurance options for employers to choose from is Pazcare.
Bonuses and Extras
Statutory Bonuses in India are mandatory per the Payment of Bonus act (1965). The bonus rate is between 8.33% and 20% based on the ?ailable surplus?s mentioned in the act.
?Average Cost of Hiring
Below is an estimate based on a salary of $100,000 for an employee in India. This salary is designed to make it easier to calculate. It will vary depending on your hiring goals. These include the employment contract details, the candidate?experience and education, and the type of position.
Average Cost Of Hiring One Employee in India (Annual in $USD)
Mandatory Burdens
Salary: $100,000
Employer Taxes: $20,330
Statutory Bonus: $8,330 - $20,000
Total: $128,330 – 140,330
These totals do not include costs for additional benefits. Examples of popular soft benefits in India include gym memberships, health coaches, subsidized cafeterias and subsidized transportation.
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Growing your remote, global team and hiring Indian talent can seem overwhelming, especially when you consider all the associated costs. Leave the headache to Borderless.
Working with an Employer of Record (EOR) handles all the administrative work, ensuring compliance and giving you cost-savings, so you can focus on growing your business.
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?Disclaimer
Related questions
Hiring an ethical hacker involves a structured approach to ensure security, legality, and effectiveness. Here's a concise guide based on the thought process:
1. Define Your Needs
- Purpose: Identify why you need an ethical hacker (e.g., penetration testing, compliance audits, vulnerability assessment).
- Scope: Clarify the target systems (web apps, networks, IoT) and compliance requirements (GDPR, HIPAA).
2. Source Candidates
- Platforms: Use crowdsourced platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, or Synack for bug bounty programs.
- Firms: Engage cybersecurity firms (e.g., SecureWorks, Rapid7) for managed services.
- Freelancers: Vet freelancers via LinkedIn, Upwork, or professional networks like EC-Council’s directory.
3. Verify Credentials
- Certifications: Look for CEH, OSCP, CISSP, or GIAC certifications.
- Experience: Check for industry-specific expertise (e.g., healthcare, finance) and request case studies/references.
4. Legal Safeguards
- Contract: Draft a clear agreement outlining scope, authorized activities, and liability.
- NDA: Ensure confidentiality with a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
- Compliance: Confirm adherence to laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).
5. Evaluate Skills
- Technical Assessment: Conduct simulated tests (e.g., mock penetration tests).
- Interview: Assess problem-solving, communication, and ethical judgment.
6. Cost Structure
- Models: Choose between bug bounties (pay-per-vulnerability), hourly rates (
100– 300/hour), or fixed fees. - Budget: Plan for potential follow-up costs (retesting, ongoing monitoring).
7. Manage Engagement
- Objectives: Set clear goals and timelines.
- Communication: Schedule regular updates and final reports with actionable insights.
- Collaboration: Ensure IT team support for access and issue resolution.
8. Post-Engagement
- Remediation: Prioritize and patch vulnerabilities.
- Retest: Verify fixes and consider periodic audits for ongoing security.
9. Mitigate Risks
- Vetting: Use background checks and platform reputations to avoid malicious actors.
- Legal Clauses: Include penalties for unauthorized actions in contracts.
10. Consider Long-Term Needs
- Ongoing Support: Explore retainers for continuous security monitoring.
- Training: Use findings to educate internal teams on security best practices.
Final Tips:
- Start with a small project to evaluate effectiveness.
- Consult legal counsel for contract review.
- Align with industry standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001).
By following these steps, you can hire an ethical hacker responsibly and effectively, enhancing your organization’s cybersecurity posture.

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