If you’ve been thinking about turning your curiosity for technology into a career, ethical hacking might be the perfect path. Ethical hackers, also called white hat hackers, use their skills to strengthen company defenses and keep data safe, as well as protect digital assets and the digital landscape. It’s a career that combines problem-solving with impact—and it’s in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects cyber security roles will grow much faster than average over the next decade.1
In this guide, we’ll explore the companies for ethical hackers in 2025, what they pay, and the skills you’ll need to land one of these competitive jobs. Whether you’re starting fresh in tech or making a career switch, you’ll find practical steps and real-world salary insights to help you decide if this is the right move.
Key Takeaways
- Ethical hackers are cyber security professionals who protect organizations by finding and fixing security vulnerabilities.
- Major companies employing ethical hackers include Tesla, Google, Microsoft, Bank of America, and the US Army.
- Salaries for ethical hackers are competitive, often reaching well into six figures at some companies.
- Certifications like CEH, OSCP, and CompTIA Security+ are commonly required to stand out in the hiring process.
- Skills in programming, cloud security, and penetration testing are essential for career growth.
What Is an Ethical Hacker?
An ethical hacker is a cyber security professional who tests systems legally to find weaknesses and protect organizations from malicious attacks.
An ethical hacker, sometimes called a white hat hacker, is a professional security expert who is permitted to hack a computer system, detect security gaps, and trace potential threats. They conduct penetration testing and other security procedures to mitigate risks and security vulnerabilities.
Ethical hackers are also categorized under the broader career of information security analysts, tracked by the BLS.1Ethical hackers fight criminal hackers, most commonly known as black hat hackers. They use the best security practices to detect and prevent ransomware attacks, spyware attacks, phishing attacks, Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks, supply chain intrusions, and zero-day exploits.2
How to Get an Ethical Hacker Job
Landing an ethical hacker job requires education, certifications, hands-on skills, and experience in cyber security.
Get a bachelor’s degree. The typical education needed to become an ethical hacker is a bachelor’s degree in cyber security, computer science, or any other related field. Some employers may also accept associate degrees or bootcamp training in cyber security for entry-level roles.
Earn ethical hacker certifications. Enrolling in a program for professional hackers will allow you to get the essential qualifications for this profession, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), CompTIA Security+, and GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) certifications.3 Most employers require certified hackers who possess at least one ethical hacking certification.
Enhance your skills. Enrolling in ethical hacking bootcamps and attending a certification program will help you learn hacking techniques and develop practical skills through hands-on learning activities. Once you have completed these programs, you will have become a confident, skilled professional.
Gain experience. Applying for ethical hacking apprenticeships or internships will enable you to gain the required experience for ethical hacking. Hands-on experience provides insight into different approaches to ethical hacking, including both technical and psychological methods such as social engineering. If you want to apply to prestigious companies or government agencies, you should first gain relevant experience to enhance your hacking skills and enrich your resume.
Start searching for a job. You can use several job sites, such as Indeed or Glassdoor, to search for ethical hacking job opportunities. However, you can also visit a company’s official website and search for ethical hacking job titles.
Explore these 10 Companies for Ethical Hackers
Companies for ethical hackers in 2025 span industries like tech, finance, automotive, and government, offering strong salaries and benefits.
| Company | Salary for Ethical Hackers | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | $170,000 | Automotive |
| Bank of America | $150,000 | Finance |
| Lenovo | $169,000 | Tech |
| Stellantis | $97,000 – $176,000 (range) | Automotive |
| $262,000 | Tech | |
| HackerRank | $94,000 – $165,000 (range) | Tech |
| IBM | $141,000 | Tech |
| Microsoft | $197,000 | Tech |
| US Army | $112,000 – $163,000 (range) | Government |
Note: Salary data shown includes both cyber security analyst roles as well as ethical hacker roles. All information is subject to change. Please visit company websites for the most up-to-date information on salary and benefits.
Tesla
Tesla is an American company that manufactures vehicles and energy solutions products. The company was founded in 2003 and is now headquartered in Texas, after many years in California. Tesla hires security professionals such as application security developers, threat analysts, security engineers, and infrastructure security engineers.
Tesla Reviews
According to Indeed, Tesla does not have the best work-life balance, with an overall rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars. While job security and advancement scored lower, employees do appreciate the high pay and various employee benefits.13
Bank of America
Bank of America is a financial company headquartered in North Carolina. It was founded in 1998 in San Francisco. This company is currently operating in over 35 countries with approximately 213,000 employees (as of July 2025).14 Bank of America provides a variety of financial services such as savings, credit cards, loans, and banking.
Bank of America Reviews
Several previous and present employees mentioned that this company values its employees and gives an excellent benefits package.15 The frequent change in management and leadership can be a bit challenging. Overall, employees have a great experience at this company, with an overall ranking of just under 4 out of 5 stars.
Lenovo
Lenovo Group Limited is a consumer electronics company that operates in many countries around the world. It is headquartered in Hong Kong, with operational headquarters in both Beijing, China, and North Carolina in the United States. Lenovo is known for its hardware products such as personal computers, cell phones, storage devices, tablets, and more.
Lenovo Reviews
Reviews on Glassdoor indicate that this company has a good working environment.16 One review also mentioned that this company has a good business outlook. Employees also love the company culture and the flexible work schedule. However, others said that there is no work-life balance at the company.
Stellantis
Stellantis is a vehicle manufacturing company established in 2021. In 2024, the company had roughly 248,243 employees.17 Headquarters are located in Hoofddorp, Netherlands.17 Some brands that are under Stellantis include Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep.
Stellantis Reviews
Roughly 65% of employees (both past and present) would recommend this company to a friend, according to reviews on Glassdoor.18 Some employees love the working environment, and they enjoy pursuing exciting and fun projects. However, others mentioned that the company is fast-paced and employees have heavy workloads.
Google is a popular tech company that offers a wide variety of tech products and services. It was founded in September 1998 in California. Some of its remarkable products are a search engine, cloud computing, and many tech products. Google’s security team leverages advanced engineering expertise to protect its web platforms and applications from evolving cyber threats.
Google Reviews
Reviews on Glassdoor show a high rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.19 Some reviewers say the company has an amazing work culture; however, a few employees also mentioned that work can be stressful sometimes, and they have to work for long hours.
HackerRank
HackerRank is a tech company that provides tech solutions to the business industry. It allows programmers from all over the world to compete with each other in coding a system according to clients’ specifications. The company was founded in 2012 and is currently headquartered in California.
HackerRank Reviews
According to several reviews on Glassdoor, working at this company can be fast-paced, and sometimes, employees are required to work long hours.20 However, supportive colleagues can help you get work done.
IBM
International Business Machines, or IBM, is a large tech company that offers a wide variety of tech solutions and services such as technical support, business consulting, cloud computing, cyber security, and artificial intelligence. This company was founded in 1911 in New York.
IBM Reviews
According to several reviews from employees, IBM is a good company to launch your career since it provides excellent training and mentoring.21 Employees also love the benefits they are offered and the flexible working hours. Employees work with smart and supportive people; however, some mentioned excessive workloads.
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US Army
This organization is a branch of the United States military and was established in June 1775. This organization hires several tech professionals, such as IT specialists, security specialists, and ethical hackers.
US Army Reviews
Several employee reviews emphasized the great benefits that the organization offers.22 They also mentioned that they have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and gain excellent work experience. However, others mentioned the lack of work-life balance.
Why You Should Become an Ethical Hacker in 2025
Becoming an ethical hacker in 2025 offers job security, strong salaries, and the chance to protect organizations from costly cyber threats.
Security threats continue to rise, which leads to the increasing need for robust security measures. Cyber attacks are everywhere, and almost all business industries are affected. The average global cost of a data breach in 2024 reached $4.88 million, according to IBM.23 With this in mind, business owners hire security professionals to protect their assets and customers. Ethical hackers help organizations manage risk, maintain compliance with industry regulations, and protect their company’s reputation.
For tech experts who seek professional development and challenges, a career in ethical hacking is a great professional path. The BLS projects that employment of information security analysts (including ethical hackers) will grow 32% between 2022 and 2032, much faster than average.1 If you want to enhance your problem-solving, analytical, and computer skills, you should become a professional ethical hacker. There are many online ethical hacking courses available to start. You can also opt to work as a full-time employee in a company or be an independent consultant.
Companies for Ethical Hackers in 2025 FAQ
Ethical hacking careers raise common questions about demand, job roles, skills, and hacker types.
Yes, ethical hacking is in demand. According to the BLS, information security analyst jobs are projected to grow 32% between 2022 and 2032.1 An ethical hacking career falls within this industry, which means there may be many opportunities for ethical hackers in the coming years.
Some popular ethical hacking careers include professional penetration testers, information security analysts, security engineers, and security consultants. You can always gain the additional experience you need on advanced hacker techniques by completing certification programs.
To become a professional ethical hacker, you need to acquire relevant technical skills. For example, you need proficiency in Linux, database knowledge, a deep understanding of programming languages such as Python and C++, solid hardware knowledge, cryptography skills, and cloud security expertise. Experience with SIEM tools such as Splunk and IBM QRadar is also in demand.
There are different types of hackers that are described by color. Color is used to identify the intent of the hacker. A malicious hacker is commonly known as a black hat hacker, while an ethical hacker is referred to as a white hat hacker. There are also other types of hackers, such as the gray hat hacker, green hat hacker, and red hat hacker.
Sources
1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
2 https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa24-317a
3 https://niccs.cisa.gov/resources/cybersecurity-certifications
4 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Tesla-Ethical-Hacker-Salaries-E43129_D_KO6%2C20.htm%EF%BF%BC6
5 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Bank-of-America-Ethical-Hacker-Salaries-E8874_D_KO16%2C30.htm
7 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Stellantis-Certified-Ethical-Hacker-Salaries-E4463465_D_KO11,35.htm
8 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Google-Ethical-Hacker-Salaries-E9079_D_KO7,21.htm
9 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/HackerRank-Ethical-Hacker-Salaries-E811012_D_KO11,25.htm
10 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/IBM-Ethical-Hacker-Salaries-E354_D_KO4,18.htm
11 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Microsoft-Ethical-Hacker-Salaries-E1651_D_KO10,24.htm
12 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/US-Army-Ethical-Hacker-Salaries-E41322_D_KO8,22.htm
15 https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Bank-of-America-Reviews-E8874.htm
16 https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Lenovo-Reviews-E8034_P2.htm?filter.iso3Language=eng
17 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellantis
18 https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Stellantis-Reviews-E4463465.htm
19 http://glassdoor.com/Reviews/Google-Reviews-E9079_P3.htm?filter.iso3Language=eng
20 http://glassdoor.com/Reviews/Google-Reviews-E9079_P3.htm?filter.iso3Language=eng
21 https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/IBM-Reviews-E354.htm?filter.iso3Language=eng
22 https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/US-Army-Reviews-E41322.htm
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