Ethical Hacker - Nolane Jones
Apple co-founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs were "hackers for fun" in their youth, even making devices to make free phone calls – an early, albeit illicit, form of understanding system vulnerabilities.
Creative & Visual Skills
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Critical Thinking & Judgement
Emotional Intelligence & Personal Traits
Professional & Technical Knowledge
Organizational & Operational Skills
Physical & Situational Readiness
Where does this job happen?
They legally hack into systems to find and fix security weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them, providing reports and solutions.
What do they actually do?
In offices, security centers, or remotely for tech companies, financial institutions, healthcare, and government.
What kind of person does this?
Enterprising, investigative, methodical, ethical, curious, and creative problem-solvers passionate about tech and security.
What skills do you need?
Strong technical skills (networking, OS, programming, penetration testing, cryptography, tools) and soft skills (analytical, critical thinking, persistence, ethical, communication).
How much money can you make?
The salary for an Ethical Hacker can vary significantly based on factors like experience, location, industry, and the specific company. In the United States, as of mid-2025:
- The average annual salary for an Ethical Hacker generally falls between **$112,000 and $135,000**.
- Salaries for entry-level positions might start around **$70,000 to $90,000**.
- Experienced professionals in senior roles or at top-tier companies can earn **$150,000 to $200,000+** annually, with some highly specialized roles potentially exceeding this.
- The average annual salary for an Ethical Hacker generally falls between **$112,000 and $135,000**.
- Salaries for entry-level positions might start around **$70,000 to $90,000**.
- Experienced professionals in senior roles or at top-tier companies can earn **$150,000 to $200,000+** annually, with some highly specialized roles potentially exceeding this.