Occupation · 2026 assessment

Penetration testing Specialist

The Penetration testing Specialist role combines repeatable operations with decisions that require professional context. The index measures task exposure to AI, software automation and robotics—not the probability that the occupation disappears.

Low risk level Search jobs ↗
How risk may change

A forecast estimate, not a guaranteed scenario.

26%2026
32%2028
39%2030
48%2035

Which tasks are exposed

Risk applies to individual tasks—not to a person or an entire occupation.

TaskRisk
Initial classification of events and alerts50%
Log analysis and known-indicator detection47%
Preparing a standard incident report46%
Executing a standard response playbook43%
Investigating a novel attack or violation20%
Threat-time decisions and consequence accountability8%

Task map

AI replaces ↔ AI augments

Each task is positioned by AI capability and the degree of human involvement still required.

  1. 1Initial classification of events and alertsAI 50% · human 79%
  2. 2Log analysis and known-indicator detectionAI 47% · human 72%
  3. 3Preparing a standard incident reportAI 46% · human 79%
  4. 4Executing a standard response playbookAI 43% · human 79%
  5. 5Investigating a novel attack or violationAI 20% · human 84%
  6. 6Threat-time decisions and consequence accountabilityAI 8% · human 85%

Why technology can change this work

  • cameras, sensors and SIEM systems classify events automatically
  • AI detects anomalies and prioritizes incidents
  • some monitoring and patrol tasks shift to robots

What protects the occupation

  • decision accountability under threat
  • unknown scenarios and active adversaries
  • a large share of value comes from human judgement, trust or personal accountability
  • physical intervention or deep investigation

United States · before tax

Average pay and outlook

Estimated nominal monthly pay. The scenario reflects sector, demand and task resilience; it is not a guarantee of income.

2026$6 950per month
2035$9 400scenario estimate
2026: $6 95020262027: $7 20020272028: $7 45020282029: $7 70020292030: $7 95020302031: $8 20020312032: $8 50020322033: $8 80020332034: $9 10020342035: $9 4002035
Find jobs ↗The partner link may contain referral parameters. Data benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗

Job search and transitions

Find work with a lower risk index

Compare adjacent paths and open a current search for the selected occupation.

Autonomous Systems Security Specialist

Skill fit 81% · risk 13%

Search jobs ↗

Skills you already have

  • threat assessment
  • procedural discipline
  • incident response
  • evidence preservation

Skills to build

  • AI security
  • digital forensics
  • autonomous-system security
  • deepfake detection
CurrentPenetration testing Specialist · 26%
→
Keepthreat assessment · procedural discipline · incident response
→
AddAI security · digital forensics · autonomous-system security

Sources and update

Updated: 2026-09-25 · Assessment confidence: Medium

International Labour Organization · 2025Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure

Nearly 30,000 tasks; a global assessment of GenAI exposure across detailed occupational groups.

World Economic Forum · 2025The Future of Jobs Report 2025

A survey of more than 1,000 employers representing over 14 million workers across 55 economies.

O*NET Resource Center · 2026O*NET Database

Occupational, task, skill and work-context structure.