Ethical Hacker Salary in India: An Overview
Did you know that businesses in India suffer more than 3,000 cyber attacks every week? With digitalization expanding rapidly, the demand for cybersecurity professionals, especially ethical hackers, is at an all-time high. Ethical hacking plays an important role in protecting organizations by identifying vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them. This demand translates to organizations offering skilled professionals an attractive ethical hacker salary in India, depending on experience and skills. This blog explores the factors affecting salaries, the types of roles available, and what freshers and experienced professionals can expect in this field.
Who is an Ethical Hacker?
An ethical hacker, often referred to as a ‘white-hat’ hacker, is a cybersecurity professional who uses hacking techniques ethically and legally to help organizations protect their digital systems. Unlike malicious black-hat hackers who exploit vulnerabilities for personal or financial gain, ethical hackers are authorized by companies to identify and fix weaknesses in their IT infrastructure. They conduct tasks such as penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and security audits to simulate potential cyberattacks. By doing so, they ensure that sensitive data and systems remain protected against real-world cybersecurity threats. Ethical hackers also play an important role in educating organizations about best security practices and preparing them to deal with emerging risks. Their work is extremely important as cyberattacks have become increasingly frequent in recent times.
Average Ethical Hacker Salary in India: An Overview
The salary of an ethical hacker in India is influenced by several factors, including experience, designation, specific skill sets, and company size. The average monthly salary for an ethical hacker can range from ₹40,000 to over ₹1,20,000, depending on experience and skills. Let’s take a closer look at what ethical hackers can expect based on various criteria.
1. Ethical Hacker Salary in India Based on Experience
Experience is a major determinant of the salary of ethical hackers in India. Entry-level ethical hackers usually start with a lower salary, but with experience, earnings can increase significantly.
Here’s an overview of white hacker salary in India based on experience:
| Experience Level | Average Salary (LPA) |
| Fresher (0-2 years) | ₹4.5 LPA – ₹5.5 LPA |
| Mid-level (3-5 years) | ₹6 LPA – ₹8 LPA |
| Senior-level (5-10 years) | ₹8 – ₹12 LPA |
| Highly Experienced | ₹14 LPA + |
Pro Tip: To learn about how to go through the journey of becoming an ethical hacker, you can refer to an ethical hacking roadmap that will provide you with a path to follow for a successful career ahead.
2. Ethical Hacker Salary in India Based on Designation
Different roles and titles also impact salary, with higher-level positions typically commanding better pay. You can refer to the table below to get an idea about the ethical hacker job salary in India based on the designation:
| Designation | Average Salary (LPA) |
| Junior Ethical Hacker | ₹3 LPA – ₹5 LPA |
| Senior Ethical Hacker | ₹6 LPA – ₹10 LPA |
| Penetration Tester | ₹5 LPA – ₹12 LPA |
| Security Engineer | ₹5.5 LPA – ₹10 LPA |
| Vulnerability Analyst | ₹4 LPA – ₹8 LPA |
| Security Consultant | ₹8 LPA – ₹12 LPA |
| Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | ₹15 LPA + |
3. Ethical Hacker Salary in India Based on Skills
Certain specialized skills can boost earning potential for ethical hackers, especially in areas of high demand like penetration testing and cloud security. For example, proficiency in certain hacking tools can improve your earning potential.
The table below shows the ethical hacker salary in India based on skill sets:
| Skill | Average Salary (LPA) |
| Penetration Testing | ₹5 LPA – ₹8 LPA |
| Vulnerability Assessment | ₹6 LPA – ₹10 LPA |
| Network Security | ₹5 LPA – ₹8 LPA |
| Cloud Security | ₹7 LPA – ₹12 LPA |
Pro Tip: You can consider enrolling in our ethical hacking course to improve your chances of landing a high-paying ethical hacking job.
4. Ethical Hacker Salary in India Based on Company
Ethical hacker salaries in India vary greatly between companies, with larger organizations often offering more competitive pay. Given below is a quick overview of ethical hacker salaries based on various companies in India:
| Company | Average Salary (LPA) |
| Infosys | ₹5.5 LPA – ₹8.5 LPA |
| HCL Technologies | ₹6 LPA – ₹8.5 LPA |
| EY | ₹7 LPA – ₹10 LPA |
| Capgemini | ₹6 LPA – ₹9 LPA |
| Accenture | ₹7 LPA – ₹10 LPA |
| Cognizant | ₹6.5 LPA – ₹9.5 LPA |
| Wipro | ₹6.5 LPA – ₹9 LPA |
| Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) | ₹5 LPA – ₹8 LPA |
| Deloitte | ₹8 LPA – ₹12 LPA |
| IBM | ₹7.5 LPA – ₹11 LPA |
Pro Tip: Other than ethical hacking, there are various job profiles that you can explore in the field of cybersecurity. You can refer to our blog on the highest-paying cybersecurity jobs to get a better idea about these roles.
5. Ethical Hacker Salary in India Based on Location
Location is another important factor, with ethical hackers in metropolitan cities earning higher salaries due to increased demand and living costs. You can check out the ethical hacker salary in India in some of the major cities in the table given below:
| Location | Average Salary (LPA) |
| Bangalore | ₹6 LPA – ₹11 LPA |
| Mumbai | ₹5 LPA – ₹12 LPA |
| Delhi NCR | ₹5 LPA – ₹9 LPA |
| Hyderabad | ₹7 LPA – ₹10 LPA |
| Pune | ₹5 LPA – ₹10 LPA |
Top Recruiters Hiring Ethical Hackers in India
The demand for ethical hackers is massive across various industries, with top companies actively seeking professionals to handle various cybersecurity applications. These companies offer competitive packages and growth opportunities, making them highly desirable workplaces for ethical hackers.
Here are some of the major recruiters offering high ethical hacker salaries in India:
- Infosys
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
- Wipro
- Accenture
- EY
- Cognizant
- Capgemini
- Microsoft
- National Security Agency of India (NSAI)
- DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
- Deloitte
- IBM
- HCL Technologies
- Amazon
Conclusion
The field of ethical hacking in India is growing at a fast pace, driven by the need for better cybersecurity measures. With a wide range of opportunities, ethical hackers can expect promising career growth and competitive salaries in India. By acquiring in-demand certifications and skills, professionals in this field can enhance their job prospects and ethical hacker income potential. The ethical hacker salaries in India discussed in this blog may provide you with the necessary insights for a career in this field. To land a job in the field of cybersecurity, you can check out our blog on how to get a job in cybersecurity.
FAQs
Answer: The starting salary of an ethical hacker in India per month can be around ₹25,000 – ₹40,000, depending on the company and location.
Answer: Certified ethical hackers with the CEH certification can expect salaries ranging from ₹3 – ₹5 LPA as freshers.
Answer: The average monthly salary for ethical hackers ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹1,00,000, depending on experience and skill level.
