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Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer in the United States is $150,360 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $167,898
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,130 to $159,540
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $130,816
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View as table View as graph 25% $140,130 10% $130,816 90% $167,898 75% $159,540 $150,360 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $159,540 $13,295 $3,068 $77
Average $150,360 $12,530 $2,892 $72
25th Percentile $140,130 $11,678 $2,695 $67
Check out Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Quality Assurance Tech Level

Biery Cheese Co. - Louisville, OH

Senior Quality Assurance Engineer

Preformed Line Products - Cleveland, OH

Civil Engineer

Gray & Osborne, Inc. - OLYMPIA, WA

Quality Technician in Manufacturing

Commercial Plastics Mora, MN - MORA, MN

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Key Factors That Influence Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries

A Master Level 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 Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Master Level 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:

  • QA/Validation Engineer III (4-7 years): $100,759
  • QA/Validation Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,310
  • Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $150,351
  • QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $112,624
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager (10+ years): $131,652
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
QA/Validation Engineer III4-7 years$100,759
QA/Validation Engineer IV7+ years$125,310
Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,351
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor10+ years$112,624
QA/Validation Engineering Manager10+ years$131,652
$100,759 QA/Valida...
$125,310 QA/Valida...
$150,351 Master Le...
$112,624 QA/Valida...
$131,652 QA/Valida...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Master Level 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: $189,640
  • San Francisco: $187,570
  • Oakland: $183,610

What Skills Can Increase a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.85% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.79% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 1.74% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.85%
Scrum 2.79%
ISO 1.74%
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 Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer's salary.
  • Debugging: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Debugging
$159,382
6%
Networking
$157,878
5%
Teamwork
$156,374
4%
Process Improvement
$154,871
3%
Products and Services
$154,871
3%
Alignment
$154,871
3%
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Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Master Level 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 $168,176. While startup companies pay approximate $142,227.

Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$142,227
Growth Stage51~500$150,427
Established501~5000$162,406
Enterprise5000+$168,176

Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 58% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$195,468$94.030%
Biotechnology$187,950$90.025%
Pharmaceuticals$180,432$87.020%
Energy & Utilities$172,914$83.015%
Aerospace & Defense$165,396$80.010%

How Education impacts a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Master Level 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 a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $151,093 and $157,753).

Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.7%
High School 3.7%
Associates 3.7%
Bachelors 52.1%
Masters 36.2%
Doctorate 4.3%
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Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Master Level 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

Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $112,700 - a projected growth of -25% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer

Salaries for a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $145,351 in 2023 to around $143,683 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$145,351
2024
$145,675
2025
$143,683
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $145,351
2024 $145,675
2025 $143,683
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer

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

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

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FAQ about Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Which country pays highest salary for QA?

The highest salaries for Master Level Quality Assurance Engineers are found in the USA, with a range from $145,940 to $170,860 annually. This surpasses other countries, where average salaries vary significantly, such as Canada at $75,000 to $140,400 and Switzerland at $102,000 to $140,400. The USA remains a top destination for QA professionals.

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

The highest salary for a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer is $170,860 per year. The salary range for this position typically starts at $145,940, with a mid-level salary of $157,870.

4. Is QA engineer a good career?

QA engineering is a promising career choice. With a minimum salary of $145,940, a mid-range salary of $157,870, and a maximum salary of $170,860, it offers lucrative opportunities. The demand for skilled QA professionals continues to grow as industries increasingly rely on software, ensuring abundant job prospects and the chance for continuous learning in a dynamic field.

5. How much do QA engineers make in the USA?

The salary for a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer in the USA ranges from $145,940 to $170,860, with a mid-salary of $157,870. This reflects the higher compensation typically associated with advanced expertise in the field, surpassing the average salaries reported for general QA Engineers.

6. 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 a minimum of $145,940 to a maximum of $170,860, with a mid-salary of $157,870. These positions involve comprehensive oversight of QA processes, strategy implementation, and team management.

7. How much does a graduate quality assurance engineer earn?

As a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer, you can expect to earn between $145,940 and $170,860 annually, with a mid-salary of approximately $157,870. This reflects a significant increase compared to entry-level positions, highlighting the value of advanced skills and experience in the field.

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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