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Software Quality Assurance Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Quality Assurance Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Manager in the United States is $137,639 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

However, a Software Quality Assurance Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $157,920
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,993 to $148,255
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,390
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Manager Salaries

A Software Quality Assurance Manager'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Quality Assurance Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance Manager'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:

  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI (10-12 years): $176,649
  • Software Quality Assurance Supervisor (12+ years): $120,600
  • Software Quality Assurance Manager (12+ years): $137,639
  • Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager (12+ years): $166,336
  • Software Quality Assurance Director (12+ years): $191,214
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI10-12 years$176,649
Software Quality Assurance Supervisor12+ years$120,600
Software Quality Assurance Manager12+ years$137,639
Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager12+ years$166,336
Software Quality Assurance Director12+ years$191,214
View as Graph

How Do Software Quality Assurance Managers Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Software Quality Assurance Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $152,394.
  • California: $151,816.
  • Massachusetts: $149,793.

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Manager

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: $173,604
  • San Francisco: $171,703
  • Oakland: $168,085

What Skills Can Increase a Software Quality Assurance Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.87% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.58% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.87%
Packaging 2.07%
Microsoft Office 1.58%
See More Skills

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 a Software Quality Assurance Manager's salary.

  • Data Warehouse: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Warehouse $151,403
10%
Influencing $144,521
5%
Computer Science $143,145
4%
Get Latest Data

Software Quality Assurance Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Quality Assurance Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $154,079. While startup companies pay approximate $130,347.

Software Quality Assurance Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $130,347
Growth Stage 51~500 $137,858
Established 501~5000 $148,791
Enterprise 5000+ $154,079

Software Quality Assurance Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Quality Assurance Manager 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 Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Assurance Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Assurance Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Assurance Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$165,167$79.020%
Business Services$165,167$79.020%
Construction$165,167$79.020%
Energy & Utilities$165,167$79.020%
Healthcare$165,167$79.020%

Software Quality Assurance Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Manager'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 August 01, 2026
$125,993
Average $137,639/year
$148,255
$10,499
Average $11,470/month
$12,355
$2,423
Average $2,647/week
$2,851
$61
Average $66/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,255 $12,355 $2,851 $71
Average $137,639 $11,470 $2,647 $66
25th Percentile $125,993 $10,499 $2,423 $61

Software Quality Assurance Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Quality Assurance Manager

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Advancement

For a Software Quality Assurance Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $166,336 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software Quality Assurance Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Software Quality Assurance Manager

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

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FAQ about Software Quality Assurance Manager

1. Where can a Software Quality Assurance Manager earn the most?

A Software Quality Assurance Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Software Quality Assurance Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Quality Assurance Manager is $173,604.

2. What is the highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Manager?

The highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Manager is $157,920.

3. What is the lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Manager?

The lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Manager is $115,390.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Quality Assurance Manager?

Manages a software quality assurance team to identify defects and ensure quality standards. Selects and utilizes tools and methodologies to improve testing efficiency, accuracy, and consistency. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Evaluates testing outcomes against expected results, implements improvements to processes, and recommends alternative testing as needed. Drafts, revises, and approves test plans and scripts. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Quality Assurance Manager?

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

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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