As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA/Validation Engineer III in the United States is $100,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.
However, a QA/Validation Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A QA/Validation Engineer III'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 III'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Quality Assurance Engineer | 0-2 years | $75,701 |
| Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer | 2-4 years | $89,093 |
| QA/Validation Engineer III | 4-7 years | $100,769 |
| QA/Validation Engineer IV | 7+ years | $125,289 |
| Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer | 7-10 years | $150,344 |
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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Team Development | 3.93% |
| Software Development | 2.98% |
| JavaScript | 1.84% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Python
|
$106,848 |
6%
|
|
Android
|
$105,840 |
5%
|
|
Linux
|
$105,840 |
5%
|
|
Debugging
|
$105,840 |
5%
|
|
Networking
|
$104,832 |
4%
|
|
Computer Science
|
$104,832 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA/Validation Engineer IIIs 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $101,696 and $106,328).
QA/Validation Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 2.8% |
| Associates | 6.1% |
| Bachelors | 52.6% |
| Masters | 36.4% |
| Doctorate | 1.4% |
Understanding how a QA/Validation Engineer III'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 March 01, 2026For a QA/Validation Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the QA/Validation Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $125,300 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.
Salaries for a QA/Validation Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $102,459 in 2023 to around $102,924 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of QA/Validation Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $102,459 |
| 2024 | $103,109 |
| 2025 | $102,924 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for QA/Validation Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.
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The highest salary for a QA/Validation Engineer is $115,400. This reflects the upper range of compensation in the field, with a minimum salary of $98,000 and a mid-range salary of $106,400. These figures highlight the competitive nature of salaries for QA professionals.
The highest salary for a Validation Engineer is approximately $115,400 per year, based on the provided salary data. While some cities like Santa Clara, CA report higher salaries, the typical range for this role is between $98,000 and $115,400, with a mid-salary of $106,400.
The salary for a Senior QA/Validation Engineer typically ranges from $98,000 to $115,400, with a median salary of $106,400. This translates to approximately $8,167 per month, $1,885 per week, or $49.62 per hour, reflecting the competitive compensation in this field.
QA Engineers often face the challenge of balancing meticulous attention to detail with tight deadlines, which can be stressful. However, with a salary range of $98,000 to $115,400, they are compensated for their expertise. By implementing systematic testing processes and advocating for realistic timelines, they can manage stress effectively.
The estimated total pay for a QA/Validation Engineer ranges from $98,000 to $115,400 per year, with a mid-salary of $106,400. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field, highlighting the value of their expertise and contributions to quality assurance and validation processes.
A QA Level 4 professional is equipped with the skills to oversee quality assurance processes in various settings, including further education and training organizations. In this role, individuals can expect a salary ranging from $98,000 to $115,400, with a midpoint of $106,400, reflecting their expertise in ensuring assessment quality and compliance.
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.)
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