The average salary for a Quality Assurance Engineer in the US is $95,000 per year.
Quality Assurance Engineers are responsible for testing software, identifying bugs, and ensuring products meet quality standards before release. In the US, this role is essential across SaaS companies, fintech firms, healthcare platforms, gaming studios, and enterprise software organizations. Salaries vary based on automation expertise, programming knowledge, and responsibility for release cycles. Professionals who specialize in automation testing and CI/CD integration often earn higher compensation.
Salary Statistics: Quality Assurance Engineer (US)
| Salary Type | Annual Pay (USD) |
|---|---|
| Average Salary | $95,000 |
| Median Salary | $92,000 |
| Lowest Salary | $65,000 |
| Highest Salary | $150,000 |
Gender Pay Analysis in Quality Assurance Engineer
Gender pay differences for Quality Assurance Engineers in the US are influenced by automation specialization, technical depth, and industry sector.
| Gender | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Compared to National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Male | $98,000 | ▲ +3% |
| Female | $92,000 | ▼ −3% |
| Non-binary / Not Disclosed | $95,000 | ▲ +0% |
Pay gaps tend to decrease at senior levels where compensation is based on automation expertise and release responsibility.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-Level
Entry-level Quality Assurance Engineers in the US typically earn around $65,000 per year. These roles focus on manual testing, writing test cases, and reporting bugs. Most professionals at this level have 0–2 years of experience. Learning automation tools early significantly improves long-term earning potential.
Mid-Level
Mid-level Quality Assurance Engineers usually earn between $85,000 and $120,000 per year. At this stage, professionals work with automation frameworks, integrate testing into CI/CD pipelines, and collaborate closely with developers. This level commonly requires 3–6 years of experience. Automation skills greatly increase salary progression.
Senior Level
Senior Quality Assurance Engineers earn $135,000 or more per year, with top roles reaching $150,000 in large US technology organizations. These professionals design testing strategies, lead QA teams, and ensure system reliability. Compensation reflects responsibility for product stability and release quality.
Certifications for Quality Assurance Engineer
- ISTQB Certification
- Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE)
- Selenium WebDriver Certification
- Agile Testing Certification
- AWS or Azure DevOps Certification
Key Skills That Impact Salary
- Test case development
- Automation frameworks (Selenium, Cypress)
- Continuous integration and deployment testing
- API testing
- Performance testing
- Scripting (Python, Java)
Best-paying cities for Quality Assurance Engineer in the US
| City | Avg Salary (USD) | Compared to National Salary ($95,000) |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $112,000 | ▲ +18% |
| New York, NY | $105,000 | ▲ +10% |
| Seattle, WA | $102,000 | ▲ +7% |
| Boston, MA | $98,000 | ▲ +3% |
| Austin, TX | $91,000 | ▼ −4% |
| Atlanta, GA | $86,000 | ▼ −9% |
| Dallas, TX | $85,000 | ▼ −10% |
| Remote (US) | $96,000 | ▲ +1% |
| Chicago, IL | $88,000 | ▼ −7% |
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Future Outlook for Quality Assurance Engineer Compensation
As software complexity increases and automation becomes essential, demand for skilled Quality Assurance Engineers remains steady. Professionals with strong automation and DevOps integration expertise are expected to see stable salary growth in the US market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $95,000 a good salary for a Quality Assurance Engineer?
Yes, $95,000 is competitive for mid-level roles depending on automation expertise and location.
Can Quality Assurance Engineers earn over $130,000?
Yes, senior-level engineers and automation leads can exceed $130,000 annually.
Do automation skills increase Quality Assurance salary?
Yes, automation testing skills significantly increase earning potential compared to manual testing roles.
Are remote Quality Assurance roles common?
Yes, many Quality Assurance roles are remote or hybrid.
Which industries pay Quality Assurance Engineers the most?
Technology, fintech, SaaS, and gaming industries typically offer higher salaries.
How long does it take to become a senior Quality Assurance Engineer?
It usually takes 5–8 years of experience in software testing and automation.
Is Quality Assurance Engineering a stable career in the US?
Yes, quality assurance remains critical in software development, ensuring consistent demand for skilled professionals.
