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Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salary in California

How much does a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I in California is $83,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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): $95,335
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,290 to $89,690
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,735
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View as table View as graph 25% $76,290 10% $69,735 90% $95,335 75% $89,690 $83,490 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 $89,690 $7,474 $1,725 $43
Average $83,490 $6,958 $1,606 $40
25th Percentile $76,290 $6,358 $1,467 $37
Check out Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Job Openings in California
Senior Quality Assurance Engineer

Pointwest Technologies Corp - Los Angeles, CA

Quality Assurance Engineer

TP-Link Systems Inc. - Irvine, CA

Software Quality Assurance Engineer

TP-Link Systems Inc. - Irvine, CA

Senior Quality Assurance Engineer

TP-Link Systems Inc. - Irvine, CA

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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, 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): $83,486
  • Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer (2-4 years): $98,260
  • QA/Validation Engineer III (4-7 years): $111,137
  • QA/Validation Engineer IV (7+ years): $138,217
  • Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $165,837
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I0-2 years$83,486
Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer2-4 years$98,260
QA/Validation Engineer III4-7 years$111,137
QA/Validation Engineer IV7+ years$138,217
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$165,837
$83,486 Quality A...
$98,260 Intermedi...
$111,137 QA/Valida...
$138,217 QA/Valida...
$165,837 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:

  • Los Angeles: $83,690
  • West Hollywood: $83,590
  • Dodgertown: $83,690

Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,383. While startup companies pay approximate $78,974.

Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$78,974
Growth Stage51~500$83,527
Established501~5000$90,179
Enterprise5000+$93,383

Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$100,188$48.020%
Pharmaceuticals$100,188$48.020%
Biotechnology$96,013$46.015%
Energy & Utilities$91,839$44.010%
Aerospace & Defense$87,664$42.05%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$76,290
Average $83,490/year
$89,690
$6,358
Average $6,958/month
$7,474
$1,467
Average $1,606/week
$1,725
$37
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,690 $7,474 $1,725 $43
Average $83,490 $6,958 $1,606 $40
25th Percentile $76,290 $6,358 $1,467 $37

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 $98,300 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

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