Bug bounty hunter salary Google offers this program for its content belonging to any of these domains - . 8 Lakhs. Jan 15, 2019 · Using data from bug bounty biz HackerOne, security shop Trail of Bits observes that the top one per cent of bug hunters found on average 0. Mar 17, 2025 · Essential Skills For Bug Bounty Hunters in 2025 To become a good bug bounty hunter and earn a decent bug bounty hunter salary that comes with it, you must know the following technical skills: Programming Languages Proficiency in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby is very important for automating tasks, analysis of code May 12, 2022 · The number of bug bounty programs offered by enterprises and government agencies continues to expand—presenting more opportunities for technologists to make extra money on a side hustle, explore a potential career change, or simply bask in the knowledge that they discovered a major flaw in a prominent website. The average salary of a Bounty Hunter in United Kingdom is £27,919 per year. income I can expect from bug hunting after working on it for 6 months? My plan is to: Learn from PortSwigger Academy. Topping the list is Washington, with District of Columbia and New York close behind in second and third. Mar 10, 2021 · British bug bounty hunter Katie Paxton-Fear, a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, says she looks for bugs in her spare time. 7 times that of standard software engineers in their home nations. The average salary for a Bug Bounty Hunter is £35,081 per year or £17 per hour in United Kingdom, which is in line with the national average. google. Honestly, I don’t think I can answer that for you, but what I can do is share my experience as a bug bounty hunter over the last year. Steps to Become a Bug Bounty Hunter Step 1: Understand the Fundamentals of Cybersecurity To start your journey as a Bug Bounty Hunter, it’s crucial to first understand the fundamentals of cybersecurity. I'm located in a growing country with very good internet where the median salary is around $600-700. Apr 10, 2025 · The average salary for a Bug Bounty Hunter is $103,313 per year in United States. How much does a Bounty Hunter make? The average annual salary of Bounty Hunter in the United States is $54,797 or $26 per hour, ranging from $49,029 to $60,851 and $24 to $29. This pay is 6% greater than the combined average salaries of other metroes San Jose, CA, Memphis, TN, and Tulsa, OK. 87 bugs per month, resulting in bounty earnings equivalent to an average yearly salary of $34,255 (£26,500). A place to discuss bug bounty (responsible disclosure), ask questions, share write-ups, news, tools, blog posts and give feedback on current issues the community faces. Explore earning potential in cybersecurity careers today! Jun 17, 2024 · The earnings from bug bounty hunting can vary significantly based on several factors, including the individual's skill level, experience, and the complexity of the vulnerabilities they identify. The estimated total pay for a Bug Bounty Program is $80,163 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $65,462 per year. It’s hard to unload stolen crypto, so some targets implore cybercriminals to return the funds—and it works. Sep 8, 2024 · Unlike a regular salary, bug bounty income fluctuates wildly. Top earners have reported making up to £87,003 (90th percentile). Discover how much do bounty hunters earn, pay factors, regional stats, and tips to boost your income in fugitive recovery. While I am happy to give advice and support people in achieving their goals Jan 19, 2018 · A survey of 1,700 bug bounty hunters registered on the HackerOne platform reveals that top white-hat hackers make on average 2. As ethical hackers take up bug bounty hunting full-time, investors are funding bounty platforms. The typical pay range is between $80,239 (25th percentile) and $144,102 (75th percentile) annually. Some of them earn more than $500,000 a year. As appealing as this future sounds, it’s important to remain objective and methodical about turning something like bug hunting into the […] Apr 10, 2025 · The average salary for a Bug Hunter is $92,071 per year or $44 per hour in United States, which is in line with the national average. Their success in the field is attributed to a combination of expertise, experience, and contributions to improving digital security. Nov 16, 2020 · Tommy DeVoss is one of those nine million-dollar-earning hackers. 96. 98 to $25. Jul 16, 2023 · Bug bounty hunting offers exciting career prospects for individuals with a passion for cybersecurity. government, for example. Fugitive Recovery Salaries by State The data in the sortable table below will help you benchmark the average salaries for fugitive recovery agents in different states. As a Bug Bounty Hunter, your primary task will be to identify and report software vulnerabilities in exchange for monetary rewards (bounties). A few years ago, only the Defense About EICTA consortium EICTA consortium offers short and long-term online courses in engineering, sciences, data, management, and more-through online, offline, and blended modes. Aug 23, 2018 · Life as a bug bounty hunter: a struggle every day, just to get paid Independent cybersleuthing is a realistic career path, if you can live cheaply. If I could feasibly, with my experience, make £1000-1500 per month via bug bounties, I could afford to fund my masters course and pay all our household bills (I 14 votes, 34 comments. Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more! How feasible is it to do bug bounty work full-time? I'm just really getting started, but I have 20 years experience in web-based software engineering already, and I'm doing a masters at Uni of London Royal Holloway in Cyber Security. Dec 11, 2024 · HTB Certified Bug Bounty Hunter (HTB CBBH) The Bug Bounty Hunter Job Role Path is for individuals who want to enter the world of Bug Bounty Hunting with little to no prior experience. Average pay for a Bug Bounty Hunter As per Glassdoor estimates, the national average salary for a Bug Bounty Hunter is $63,874 per year in the United States with an additional compensation between $984 – $68,565. Learn which beginner-friendly programs exist, and begin your bug-hunting journey today. A place to discuss bug bounty (responsible disclosure), ask questions, share… Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in South Africa. Apr 7, 2020 · “Before making the switch to a full-time bug hunting job, it’s important to have at least half a year or a year of experience as a part-time bug bounty hunter. What salary does a Bounty Hunter earn in your area? May 29, 2025 · Uncover our list of the best bug bounty programs for beginners. Learn how bug bounty hunters are making money and securing businesses. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. An entry level bounty hunter people (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of R436,574. Top earners have reported making up to $168,491 (90th percentile). Feb 21, 2025 · Companies pay ethical hackers millions to find security flaws before criminals do. Conclusion In order to become a successful bug bounty hunter in 2024, one needs to know about cybersecurity, practical experience, and the willingness to learn continuously. While both involve identifying security vulnerabilities, they differ in methodology, income potential, and job security. Mar 16, 2025 · The monthly Bug Bounty Hunter salary is equivalent to ₹ 20,000 per month. A joint initiative of MeitY and IITs, NITs, IIITs, the academy is committed to national capacity building through certified learning programs. If a researcher finds a qualifying vulnerability and reports it according to the rules, the company pays a “bounty. S. Apr 10, 2025 · How much does a Bug Bounty Participant make at HackerOne? The estimated average salary for a Bug Bounty Participant at HackerOne is $106,738 per year or $51 per hour, but some professionals have reported earning up to roughly $186,793 per year (90th percentile). Some are hosted by companies like Google, Facebook, and Paypal who want extra help The average salary for a Bug Bounty Program is $117,070 per year in United States. May 2, 2025 · Curious about the bug bounty hunter salary? Uncover how much top ethical hackers earn finding flaws and learn how you can start this lucrative career. Top 65 Highest Paying States for Bug Bounty Jobs in the U. com, . Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more! Learn how to utilize your ethical hacking skills to participate in bug bounty platforms and earn money as a web penetration tester. By demonstrating your skills and earning recognition through successful bug submissions, you Nov 21, 2023 · Bug bounty programs allow individuals to get paid for finding and reporting bugs in apps, sites, or platforms. Dec 30, 2024 · Moreover, the average spend on bug bounties grew from $2000 in 2021 to $3000 in 2022, while the average payout grew to a whopping $26,728 from $6443 in 2021. Find job postings near you and 1-click apply! Jul 30, 2025 · Bug bounty in 2025 is more than just a side hustle—it's a legitimate career path for ethical hackers. Armed with the necessary Bug Bounty Hunter Job Description Template Job Brief We are seeking a skilled and motivated Bug Bounty Hunter to help us improve the security of our software applications. Nov 13, 2023 · Salary Ranges for Bug Bounty Hunter The salaries of Bug Bounty Hunters in The US range from $34,444 to $347,460, and the average is $76,583. 1. Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more! The average salary for a Bug Bounty Hunter is $63,832 per year in Canada. Jan 9, 2025 · What Is a Bug Bounty Program? A bug bounty program is a public or private initiative where a company invites security researchers to test their systems. 7 times more money than the average salary of a software engineer in Mar 16, 2025 · The average bug bounty hunter salary in India ranges from ₹1. Some months, you might discover a critical vulnerability and earn a hefty reward, while other months, you could find nothing of value. So, if you want to leverage the lucrative nature of bug bounty programs and become a bug bounty hunter to help organizations stay secure— you’re on the right page. Discover the benefits and rewards of participating in bug bounty programs. youtube. 4%, and Washington furthers that trend with another $5,786 (13. Take the U. By pursuing relevant education, gaining practical experience, and Browse 100 BUG BOUNTY jobs ($17-$134/hr) from companies with openings that are hiring now. Bug bounty hunters use real-world hacking tools such as Burp Suite, Nmap, and recon automation The average salary for a Bug Bounty Participant is ₹9,03,740 per year in India. Feb 4, 2023 · One way to take advantage of these skills is through the bug bounty phenomenon, where you can earn money while doing what you love. Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more! Sep 28, 2023 · Almost every week, I receive a message from someone in my network asking me if full-time bug bounty hunting as a profession is possible. We’ve identified 29 states where the typical salary for a Bug Bounty job is above the national average. However, finding some contract work at $25/hr for 20h/week would hit your $500 goal pretty easily, and is probably easier to find consistency there. 67. Dec 19, 2024 · The highest-paid hackers in India, including Trishneet Arora, Anand Prakash, and Raghavendra Kumar, earn substantial salaries through bug bounty hunting, consulting, and cybersecurity training. How much do Bug Bounty jobs pay per hour? The average hourly pay for a Bug Bounty job in the US is $20. The “Best States for PIs” column is calculated by comparing the average salary of private detectives and investigators relative to the The average salary for a Bug Hunter is ₹85,000 per year in India. ” Think of it like an ongoing, crowdsourced security audit. And with the same concern, it offers a Google Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP) for all white hat hackers. This is based on 2 salaries As per Glassdoor estimates, the national average salary for a Bug Bounty Hunter is $63,874 per year in the United States with an additional compensation between $984 – $68,565. With cybersecurity threats increasing, companies are offering generous payouts on platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and Synack for skilled researchers who find and report vulnerabilities. My question is: what's a realistic aprox. Pursue the Bug Bounty Hunter learning path on Hack The Box. com, and Freelance Bug Bounty Hunters – Zero-day exploits are predicted to rise from one-per-week in 2015 to one-per-day by 2021. Jul 12, 2025 · Best Bug Bounty Programs/Companies 1. . The estimated additional pay is $14,701 per year. Fact About Bug Bounty Income Bounty hunters in the USA typically bring in an annual salary of $95,000, equivalent to an hourly rate of $45. Flaws in software code, which create vulnerabilities, have created a burgeoning bug bounty economy with big payouts to elite freelancer hackers. It’s not the most recent, but it shows … Bug bounty hunter salary I studied some basics of infosec and now I think I will keep studying but focusing on bug bounty programs. Nov 26, 2024 · I receive numerous messages each week asking how to get started with bug bounty hunting because of my experience and active involvement in the bug bounty space. 8 Lakhs for manual testers to ₹8 Lakhs for senior QA analysts. This blog post will give you some insight on my career, transitioning to working for myself, and then I’ll open up on Aug 7, 2023 · Learn about bug bounty programs, how they work, and how much you can earn by finding security vulnerabilities. 98. Feb 24, 2020 · Bug hunters together earned around $40 million through the world’s biggest bug bounty platform last year, and more than $82 million for submissions of valid security vulnerability reports, according to HackerOne’s 2020 Hacker Report. Hourly salary range is $12. Instead of hiring one firm for a week, companies tap thousands A place to discuss bug bounty (responsible disclosure), ask questions, share write-ups, news, tools, blog posts and give feedback on current issues the community faces. However, after speaking with people, it becomes clear that many have internalised the notion of bug bounty hunting as a way to escape their monotonous lives. Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more! Bug bounty millionaires Nine individual hackers have now amassed $1 million in total bounty earnings via HackerOne in less than a decade, showing that bug bounty hunting can pay well for the elite. Additional pay could include cash bonus Jul 14, 2023 · Welcome, bug bounty hunters! Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey of uncovering vulnerabilities and earning handsome rewards? Bug bounty programs have gained immense popularity in recent Nov 1, 2018 · How much Bug Bounty Hunter earns? A survey conducted by the security biz HackerOne of 1,700 bug bounty hunters from over 195 countries and regions, augmented by the organization’s data on 900 bug bounty reports, has affirmed that white-hat hackers make a median salary that’s 2. In India, for instance, the average annual salary for a manual tester working in the bug bounty field is approximately Rs. On the other end, a senior level bounty hunter people (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of R765,104. Feb 18, 2022 · I’ve made over $588k on Bug Bounty so far How much one can earn on Bug Bounty? In the beginning, I suggest looking at the statistics of HackerOne itself. Apr 1, 2025 · Cybersecurity professionals often debate whether bug bounty hunting or penetration testing is the more lucrative and stable career path. 3%) above the What is your average yearly earnings from bug bounty and how many years of experience do you have in cyber security? Jun 25, 2024 · For many, bug bounties present a way to escape the rat race—a way to exchange the handcuffs of employment for the freedom of autonomous control over not only our day but our financial future. 31K subscribers in the bugbounty community. New York beats the national average by 9. Google Vulnerability Reward Program Alike in other fields, Google is one of the most popular companies when it comes to Bug Bounty Program. Bug bounty income is inconsistent and bursty, and it can take a while before you get your first payout for anything. As noted above, average salaries are based on salaries for private investigators (PIs). However, the typical pay range in United Kingdom is between £24,040 (25th percentile) and £54,247 (75th percentile) annually. This path covers core web application security assessment and bug bounty hunting concepts and provides a deep understanding of the attack tactics used during bug bounty hunting. Is this a good idea? I know even after studying it is possible to don't find any bugs for a long time, but I think after some time it is possible to get some consistency, maybe considering /year, right? How much does a Bug Bounty Hunter make in Portland, OR? The average Bug Bounty Hunter in Portland, OR makes $97,827, 28% above the national average Bug Bounty Hunter salary of $76,583. Bug Bounty Hunting is a freelance-based cybersecurity approach where ethical hackers identify vulnerabilities in exchange for monetary Aug 7, 2023 · Learn about bug bounty programs, how they work, and how much you can earn by finding security vulnerabilities. He is a reformed blackhat hacker turned bug bounty hunter. Oct 17, 2022 · The bug bounty market—once modest—has exploded due to nearly $1 trillion in tempting cryptocurrency.