The Perceived Hierarchy

In the world of offensive security, many people view security research as the ultimate goal, a prestigious badge of honor at the top of an imagined hierarchy:

This perception is often reinforced by conference lineups that favor novel research over practical assessments. As a result, a lot of professionals feel they need to pivot to security research to be taken seriously.

This leads to a common and flawed assumption: that security researchers are somehow more skilled than pentesters. After all, they find brand new bugs, surely that makes them better?

But the truth is: the roles are very different, and so are the skills they demand.

Life as a Pentester

Pentesters work under tight deadlines. Most engagements are scoped to a few days or weeks. That means they need to hit the ground running, rapidly map out systems, identify attack paths, and prioritize their time efficiently. They also juggle client communications, write reports, and provide actionable insights. Pentesting suits people who like variety, quick wins, and continuous change.

You're also more likely to find remote opportunities in pentesting. There are simply more roles available, and the nature of the work is less secretive.

Life as a Security Researcher

Security researchers, on the other hand, go deep. Their job is about patience and persistence. They can spend months analyzing a single feature, trying to understand its internals and surface weaknesses. There’s a high chance of failure and long stretches with no visible progress. The work is often solitary and methodical, suited to people who enjoy digging into the details and solving puzzles without a clear path forward.

And yes, while researchers don’t write reports for clients, they’re still expected to document everything, clearly and thoroughly. Often for internal use, publication, or reproduction by colleagues.

Security researchers may also face more operational constraints. Some may work in air-gapped environments or on tightly locked-down systems, with little room for customization or installing personal tooling. If you enjoy building and running your own environment, this may prove frustrating.

The Takeaway

Both pentesting and research can be deeply technical. One isn’t better than the other, they’re different disciplines. You’ll find smart, skilled people in both camps. What matters is not what’s more “elite,” but what suits your skills, mindset, and how you want to spend your time.

I've heard too many stories of pentesters making the jump to vulnerability research and coming back after 6 to 12 months saying: "This is not what I thought it would be."

Security research is great but it’s not the holy grail. You’re better off being an excellent pentester than a frustrated or mediocre researcher. If research isn't your thing, don’t chase it for prestige. Chase what makes you effective, happy, and constantly improving.

If you're aiming toward one of these careers, PentesterLab PRO can help you build the foundation necessary for both paths. We provide the variety of knowledge you need for pentesting, as well as the depth and mindset required for vulnerability research.