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Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary in Illinois

How much does a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer make in Illinois?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer in Illinois is $153,260 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

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): $171,142
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $142,840 to $162,620
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $133,353
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View as table View as graph 25% $142,840 10% $133,353 90% $171,142 75% $162,620 $153,260 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 $162,620 $13,552 $3,127 $78
Average $153,260 $12,772 $2,947 $74
25th Percentile $142,840 $11,903 $2,747 $69
Check out Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Job Openings in Illinois
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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, 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): $102,704
  • QA/Validation Engineer IV (7+ years): $127,728
  • Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $153,253
  • QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $114,798
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager (10+ years): $134,193
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
QA/Validation Engineer III4-7 years$102,704
QA/Validation Engineer IV7+ years$127,728
Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$153,253
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor10+ years$114,798
QA/Validation Engineering Manager10+ years$134,193
$102,704 QA/Valida...
$127,728 QA/Valida...
$153,253 Master Le...
$114,798 QA/Valida...
$134,193 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:

  • Effingham: $141,270
  • Saint Peter: $141,080
  • Salem: $141,620

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 $171,420. While startup companies pay approximate $144,970.

Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$144,970
Growth Stage51~500$153,329
Established501~5000$165,539
Enterprise5000+$171,420

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$199,238$96.030%
Biotechnology$191,575$92.025%
Pharmaceuticals$183,912$88.020%
Energy & Utilities$176,249$85.015%
Aerospace & Defense$168,586$81.010%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$142,840
Average $153,260/year
$162,620
$11,903
Average $12,772/month
$13,552
$2,747
Average $2,947/week
$3,127
$69
Average $74/hour
$78
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $162,620 $13,552 $3,127 $78
Average $153,260 $12,772 $2,947 $74
25th Percentile $142,840 $11,903 $2,747 $69

Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Master Level Quality Assurance Engineer
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor
QA/Validation Engineering Manager

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 $114,800 - a projected growth of -25% over your current level.

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