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Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I in the United States is $75,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,389
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,190 to $81,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,272
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View as table View as graph 25% $69,190 10% $63,272 90% $86,389 75% $81,290 $75,690 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,290 $6,774 $1,563 $39
Average $75,690 $6,308 $1,456 $36
25th Percentile $69,190 $5,766 $1,331 $33
Check out Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Senior Quality Engineer

Danaher - Cincinnati, OH

Quality Assurance Engineer

Preformed Line Products - Cleveland, OH

Sr Quality Assurance Engineer

ADVICS North America, Inc. - Lebanon, OH

MIDWEST Contract Worker Camera System Pre

ZeroEyes, Inc - KANSAS CITY, KS

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Key Factors That Influence Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salaries

A Quality Assurance Testing Model 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.

How Experience Level Affects Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Assurance Testing Model 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:

  • Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I (0-2 years): $75,696
  • Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer (2-4 years): $89,089
  • QA/Validation Engineer III (4-7 years): $100,764
  • QA/Validation Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,299
  • Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $150,347
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I0-2 years$75,696
Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer2-4 years$89,089
QA/Validation Engineer III4-7 years$100,764
QA/Validation Engineer IV7+ years$125,299
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,347
$75,696 Quality A...
$89,089 Intermedi...
$100,764 QA/Valida...
$125,299 QA/Valida...
$150,347 Expert/Co...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer Is

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: $95,490
  • San Francisco: $94,490
  • Oakland: $92,490

What Skills Can Increase a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.09% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 2.91% Job Postings): Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business (the case with custom software), to meet a perceived need of some set of potential users (the case with commercial and open source software), or for personal use (e.g. a scientist may write software to automate a mundane task). Embedded software development, that is, the development of embedded software, such as used for controlling consumer products, requires the development process to be integrated with the development of the controlled physical product. System software underlies applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.02% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.09%
Software Development 2.91%
Scrum 2.02%
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 Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I's salary.
  • Scrum: Can increase your salary by up to 31%.
  • Software Testing: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Jenkins: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scrum
 $99,154
31%
Software Testing
 $92,342
22%
Jenkins
 $89,314
18%
Agile
 $86,287
14%
Linux
 $85,530
13%
QA Automation
 $84,773
12%
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How Education impacts a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Assurance Testing Model 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 Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $71,153 and $75,359).

Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I
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%
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Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Quality Assurance Testing Model 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$69,190
Average $75,690/year
$81,290
$5,766
Average $6,308/month
$6,774
$1,331
Average $1,456/week
$1,563
$33
Average $36/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,290 $6,774 $1,563 $39
Average $75,690 $6,308 $1,456 $36
25th Percentile $69,190 $5,766 $1,331 $33

Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I
Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer
QA/Validation Engineer III

For a Quality Assurance Testing Model 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 of jobs related to Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I

Salary Trends for Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I

Salaries for a Quality Assurance Testing Model 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 Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$66,167
2024
$66,532
2025
$66,435
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $66,167
2024 $66,532
2025 $66,435
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I

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FAQ about Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I

1. How much does a QA inspector earn in USA?

A Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer in the USA earns an annual salary ranging from $67,690 to $82,090, with a median salary of $75,690. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, highlighting the importance of quality assurance in various industries.

2. Is QA Engineer worth it?

Absolutely, pursuing a career as a QA Engineer is worthwhile! With a salary range from $67,690 to $82,090, this role is not only in high demand but also offers competitive compensation. As industries increasingly prioritize quality, the need for skilled QA professionals will continue to grow in the coming years.

3. Which country pays highest salary for QA?

The salary data for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer indicates a range from $67,690 to $82,090, with a midpoint of $75,690. In comparison, countries like the USA offer higher salaries, averaging between $9,000 and $13,750 per month, making it one of the top-paying countries for QA professionals.

4. What is the hourly rate of QA in USA?

As of January 17, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer in the United States is approximately $36.00, based on a salary range of $67,690 to $82,090 annually. This translates to hourly wages between $32.50 and $39.50, reflecting the varying experience levels in the field.

5. What is the highest salary for a QA tester?

The highest salary for a QA tester is approximately $82,090 per year. For context, the salary range for QA testers typically spans from a minimum of $67,690 to a mid-level salary of $75,690, reflecting the varying experience and responsibilities within the role.

6. What are top 3 skills for a quality assurance specialist?

Top skills for a quality assurance specialist include attention to detail, strong analytical abilities, and proficiency in testing tools and methodologies. These skills are essential for ensuring software quality and performance. In terms of compensation, the salary for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer ranges from $67,690 to $82,090, with a median of $75,690.

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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