Web Penetration Tester

Part of the Cybersecurity Career Guide — This article is one deep-dive in our complete guide series.

By HADESS Team | February 28, 2026 | Updated: February 28, 2026 | 5 min read

You test web applications for security flaws. Every login form, API endpoint, file upload, and session token is fair game. Your job is to find the vulnerabilities that automated scanners miss — the logic bugs, the chained exploits, the authentication bypasses that actually lead to data breaches.

What You Will Do

A typical engagement starts with mapping the application. You crawl it, review the sitemap, and identify every input point. Then you start testing — methodically, endpoint by endpoint.

You will spend your days:

• Testing for OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities — SQL injection, XSS, SSRF, IDOR, broken authentication
• Intercepting and modifying HTTP requests with Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP
• Analyzing session management — testing for token predictability, fixation, and improper expiration
• Reviewing API endpoints for authorization flaws (BOLA, BFLA)
• Testing file upload functionality for unrestricted types and path traversal
• Fuzzing parameters to find hidden functionality and edge cases
• Chaining low-severity findings into high-impact attack paths
• Writing reports that explain business risk, not just technical findings

The difference between a good web pentester and a scanner jockey is your ability to understand application logic. You need to think about what the developer intended and then figure out what they forgot.

Skills You Need

Web pentesting sits at the intersection of development knowledge and attacker mindset. You need to read code, understand web architecture, and know how browsers actually work.

Build these skills:

• HTTP protocol and web architecture — requests, responses, headers, cookies, CORS
• OWASP Top 10 — not just the list, but how to find and exploit each one
• Burp Suite proficiency — your primary tool for web testing
• JavaScript and DOM manipulation — for XSS, DOM clobbering, prototype pollution
• SQL and database concepts — for injection testing across different DBMS
• API security testing — REST, GraphQL, WebSocket testing methodologies
• Authentication and authorization testing — OAuth, JWT, SAML flaws
• Source code review basics — reading PHP, Java, Python, Node.js for vulnerabilities

Explore these topics in the skills library and see how they map to real roles in the career path explorer.

Certifications

Web-focused certifications validate your ability to find application-layer vulnerabilities:

• eWPT — practical exam testing web app pentesting skills, strong entry point
• SEC542 (SANS) — in-depth web app penetration testing training
• EWPTX — advanced web testing, covers modern frameworks and complex scenarios
• GWEB — GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester, well-respected in enterprise

Use the certification roadmap planner to sequence these based on your current skill level.

Salary Range

Web penetration testers earn between $30K and $111K. Junior testers start lower, but specialists who can break modern SPAs, APIs, and cloud-native apps command higher rates. Bug bounty earnings can supplement this significantly — some top web testers earn six figures from bounties alone.

Compare your compensation against the market using the salary calculator.

How to Get Started

1. Learn web development basics first — you need to understand how apps are built to break them 2. Set up a practice environment — DVWA, WebGoat, Juice Shop, or the platform labs 3. Master Burp Suite — it is the tool you will use every single day 4. Take the skills assessment to see where you stand on web security fundamentals 5. Work through PortSwigger Web Security Academy — it is free and excellent 6. Start with eWPT and plan your cert path with the certification planner 7. Build a portfolio — write up your practice findings and add them to your resume 8. Apply for web security roles through the job board

For a personalized plan based on your background, talk to the career coach. Web pentesting rewards curiosity and persistence — if you enjoy picking apart how things work, this is your field.

Related Guides in This Series

• Application Penetration Tester: Go Beyond the Web Layer — HADESS | 2026
• Bug Bounty Hunter: Get Paid to Find Real Vulnerabilities — HADESS | 2026
• Exploit Developer: Turn Vulnerabilities into Working Code — HADESS | 2026

Take the Next Step

Start your career assessment. Go to the start your career assessment on HADESS.

Explore career paths. Check out the explore career paths.

Get started free — Create your HADESS account and access all career tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certifications do I need for this role?

Certification requirements vary by employer and seniority level. Use the certification roadmap planner to build a sequence based on your target role and current qualifications.

What is the salary range for this role?

Salaries vary significantly by location, experience, and employer type. Use the salary calculator for your specific market rate.

How do I transition into this career path?

Take the skills assessment to identify your current strengths and gaps relative to this role. The assessment generates a personalized learning plan to close the gap.

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HADESS Team consists of cybersecurity practitioners, hiring managers, and career strategists who have collectively spent 50+ years in the field.