As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA/Validation Engineer I in the United States is $75,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a QA/Validation Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A QA/Validation Engineer I'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a QA/Validation Engineer I'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QA/Validation Engineer I | 0-2 years | $75,693 |
| Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer | 2-4 years | $89,086 |
| QA/Validation Engineer III | 4-7 years | $100,762 |
| QA/Validation Engineer IV | 7+ years | $125,305 |
| Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer | 7-10 years | $150,349 |
What Am I Worth?
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 QA/Validation Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.09% |
| Software Development | 2.91% |
| Scrum | 2.02% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Scrum
|
$99,167 |
31%
|
|
Software Testing
|
$92,354 |
22%
|
|
Jenkins
|
$89,326 |
18%
|
|
Agile
|
$86,298 |
14%
|
|
Linux
|
$85,541 |
13%
|
|
QA Automation
|
$84,784 |
12%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA/Validation Engineer Is 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 QA/Validation Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $71,133 and $75,334).
QA/Validation Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 8.8% |
| Associates | 8.8% |
| Bachelors | 59.6% |
| Masters | 21.7% |
| Doctorate | 0.8% |
Understanding how a QA/Validation Engineer I'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 June 01, 2026For a QA/Validation Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $89,100 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Salaries for a QA/Validation Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $66,167 in 2023 to around $66,435 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of QA/Validation Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $66,167 |
| 2024 | $66,532 |
| 2025 | $66,435 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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