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Hourly Wage for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer make hourly?

As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer in the United States is $43, which translates to an annual salary of about $89,100.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $50 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $40 to $46 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $40 10% $38 90% $50 75% $46 $43 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $96,700 $8,058 $1,860 $46
Average $89,100 $7,425 $1,713 $43
25th Percentile $83,700 $6,975 $1,610 $40
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Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries

An Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Quality Assurance Engineer (0-2 years): $75,690
  • Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer (2-4 years): $89,084
  • QA/Validation Engineer III (4-7 years): $100,759
  • QA/Validation Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,310
  • Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $150,351
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Quality Assurance Engineer0-2 years$75,690
Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer2-4 years$89,084
QA/Validation Engineer III4-7 years$100,759
QA/Validation Engineer IV7+ years$125,310
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,351
$75,690 Entry Qua...
$89,084 Intermedi...
$100,759 QA/Valida...
$125,310 QA/Valida...
$150,351 Expert/Co...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $112,400
  • San Francisco: $111,200
  • Oakland: $108,800

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.01% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • API (Mentioned in 3.07% Job Postings): An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.
  • JavaScript (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Using JavaScript in the development and maintenance of Web-based application systems.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.01%
API 3.07%
JavaScript 2.13%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer's salary.
  • iOS: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Jenkins: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
iOS
$96,228
8%
Python
$94,446
6%
Jenkins
$93,555
5%
Software Development
$93,555
5%
Java
$92,664
4%
JavaScript
$92,664
4%
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Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $99,658. While startup companies pay approximate $84,281.

Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$84,281
Growth Stage51~500$89,140
Established501~5000$96,238
Enterprise5000+$99,658

Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$106,920$51.020%
Biotechnology$106,920$51.020%
Financial Services$106,920$51.020%
Pharmaceuticals$106,920$51.020%
Software & Networking$106,920$51.020%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $84,560 and $88,404).

Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 5.5%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 58.1%
Masters 31.7%
Doctorate 0.8%
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Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer

Salaries for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $83,866 in 2023 to around $83,677 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$83,866
2024
$83,848
2025
$83,677
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $83,866
2024 $83,848
2025 $83,677
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the lowest salary of QA?

The lowest salary for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer is $81,600 per year. If you're considering a career as an Intermediate QA Engineer or looking to advance, it's important to understand the role, career progression, and salary expectations in this field.

3. How much do middle QA engineers make in the US?

The salary for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer in the US ranges from $81,600 to $95,900, with a mid-level salary of approximately $88,400. This reflects the typical earnings for this role, providing a clear picture of compensation in the industry.

4. Which country pays highest salary for QA?

The salary data for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer shows a range from $81,600 to $95,900, with a midpoint of $88,400. In comparison, countries like the USA offer higher salaries, averaging between $9,000 and $13,750 per month, making it one of the top-paying countries for QA professionals.

5. How much QA is paid in the USA?

The salary for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer in the USA ranges from $81,600 to $95,900, with a mid-point salary of $88,400. This reflects the competitive compensation in the QA field, ensuring that professionals are rewarded for their expertise and contributions.

6. What is the highest salary for a quality assurance engineer?

The salary for an Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer ranges from $81,600 to $95,900 annually, with a midpoint of $88,400. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of quality assurance roles in ensuring product excellence.

7. What is the highest position in QA?

Titles such as 'QA Manager', 'Director of Quality Assurance', or 'VP of Quality' typically offer the highest salaries, ranging from $81,600 to $95,900. These positions involve comprehensive oversight of QA processes, strategy implementation, and team management, with a mid-salary of $88,400 reflecting the expertise and responsibilities required.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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