Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.
QA Engineer salary in US
A QA Engineer salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A QA Engineer in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $43,011 to $82,687 per year, based on 45 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced QA Engineer in US can make a salary range of $102,945 to $186,058 with at least 5 years of experience, based on 7 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a QA Engineer gets the highest compensation are IQVIA Inc., Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. and Juniper Networks, Inc.. Bigger companies typically pay 25.67% more than smaller companies for a QA Engineer.
Recent salaries shared by Qa Engineer
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
QA Engineer
|
15+ years
$93K - $108K/yr
Foster City, CA
submitted on Jul 16, 2026
$93K - $108K/yr
QA Engineer
|
10-14 years
$82K - $97K/yr
Newton, MA
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$82K - $97K/yr
QA Engineer
|
7-9 years
$52K - $60K/yr
San Francisco, CA
submitted on Jul 14, 2026
$52K - $60K/yr
QA Engineer
|
10-14 years
$102K - $118K/yr
Santa Barbara, CA
submitted on Jul 13, 2026
$102K - $118K/yr
QA Engineer
|
4-6 years
$41K - $47K/yr
American City, CO
submitted on Jul 12, 2026
$41K - $47K/yr
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QA Engineer
|
7-9 years
$117K - $135K/yr
New York, NY
submitted on Jul 10, 2026
$117K - $135K/yr
QA Engineer
|
4-6 years
$83K - $97K/yr
Marietta, GA
submitted on Jul 9, 2026
$83K - $97K/yr
QA Engineer
|
7-9 years
$100K - $117K/yr
Baltimore, MD
submitted on Jul 8, 2026
$100K - $117K/yr
QA Engineer
|
1-3 years
$51K - $60K/yr
Minneapolis, MN
submitted on Jul 8, 2026
$51K - $60K/yr
QA Engineer
|
10-14 years
$65K - $75K/yr
Lynchburg, VA
submitted on Jul 6, 2026
$65K - $75K/yr
Viewing 1 - 10 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for Qa Engineer in United States are Aerospace & Defense with a median total pay of $115,453, Manufacturing with a median total pay of $113,497, Financial Services with a median total pay of $112,039, Energy, Mining & Utilities with a median total pay of $105,915, and Media & Communication with a median total pay of $105,075.
Frequently asked questions about QA Engineer salaries
The average salary for QA Engineer is $101,305 per year or $49 per hour, with top earners making up to $167,113 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $78,309 (25th percentile) to $132,261 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 11828 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by QA Engineer employees.
The highest salary for QA Engineer is $132,261 per year, $11,022 per month or $64 per hour.
The lowest salary for QA Engineer is $78,309 per year, $6,526 per month or $38 per hour.
The salary trajectory of QA Engineer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $101,155 per year (estimate) and goes up to $254,486 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
Pay for quality assurance engineers (QA) often reaches the six-figure range, reflecting demand for their services and barriers to entry. Quality assurance engineers with experience or interest in working with healthcare and medical insurance related applications may command especially high pay, since job growth will be especially high in this area. Candidates who work for software publishers or manufacturers will generally earn higher pay than those who work for insurance carriers or management companies.
Approximately 73% of QA engineers are happy with their salary. Your salary as a QA engineer depends on factors like education and experience, but a Bachelor's degree, a professional certification, and yearly additional pay of $17,713.25 can help qualify it as a good salary.
QA engineers have a fairly wide pay range, but if you follow a typical QA engineer career path, you can expect to make between $62,149.86 and $167,113.04, with an estimated total pay of around $101,305.16. This includes performance-based bonuses, which are common in this industry. After 2-4 years in this role, you will be qualified to take the next step and apply for Senior QA engineer positions.
There are some crucial steps you can take to make more money during your QA engineer career? Consider getting a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or participating in a coding Bootcamp. Make sure you know basic programming languages like Javascript, as well as HTML and CSS. Learn in-demand QA skills, such as Selenium and Agile Software Development, and ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the software development process. You might also try for a professional certification, such as the QAI Global Institute's Certified Software Test Engineer qualification. Create a portfolio showcasing all the projects you've worked on and spend some time honing soft skills like communication and analytical thinking.
Whether you've just started browsing QA engineer jobs or want a raise in your current salary as a QA engineer, negotiating is an important skill to learn. Begin by perusing job listings and speaking to people in your industry to determine an appropriate figure. If you're not sure, a 10% raise is a fair number. You should then keep that number in mind as you make a list of all the reasons you deserve a raise. Good arguments might include certifications you've gained, skills you've learned, and successful projects you've worked on. Keep your examples specific, and bring along an updated portfolio to show off your skills and achievements.