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Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead in the United States is $112,630 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $131,028
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,300 to $122,260
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,626

Key Factors That Influence Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead Salaries

A Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead'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 Team Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead'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 IV (7+ years): $125,321
  • Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $150,354
  • Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead (10+ years): $112,622
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager (10+ years): $131,640
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior (10+ years): $160,502
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
QA/Validation Engineer IV7+ years$125,321
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,354
Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead10+ years$112,622
QA/Validation Engineering Manager10+ years$131,640
QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior10+ years$160,502

Top Paying Cities for Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Leads

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: $142,060
  • San Francisco: $140,500
  • Oakland: $137,540

What Skills Can Increase a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Data Privacy (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Updating and reviewing data protection regulations and policies to ensure data confidentiality and immutability.
  • Jenkins (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Jenkins is an open source automation server. It helps automate the parts of software development related to building, testing, and deploying, facilitating continuous integration and continuous delivery.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 3.45%
Data Privacy 3.45%
Jenkins 3.45%

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 Team Lead's salary.

  • Jenkins: Can increase your salary by up to 44%.
  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Jenkins $162,187
44%
Software Development $146,419
30%
Java $138,535
23%

Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $125,869. While startup companies pay approximate $106,472.

Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $106,472
Growth Stage 51~500 $112,605
Established 501~5000 $121,542
Enterprise 5000+ $125,869

Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$135,156$65.020%

How Education impacts a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Leads 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 Team Lead with a Bachelor's Degree is between $108,326 and $115,170).

Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.1%
High School 10.1%
Associates 13.1%
Bachelors 41.4%
Masters 35.4%
Doctorate 0.0%

Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead'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 September 01, 2026
$105,300
Average $112,630/year
$122,260
$8,775
Average $9,386/month
$10,188
$2,025
Average $2,166/week
$2,351
$51
Average $54/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $122,260 $10,188 $2,351 $59
Average $112,630 $9,386 $2,166 $54
25th Percentile $105,300 $8,775 $2,025 $51

Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the QA/Validation Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,700 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead

Here are companies hiring for Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary in QA?

The highest salary for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead is $126,880. This role typically offers a minimum salary of $102,120 and a mid-range salary of $114,870, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities associated with leading QA testing teams.

3. How much do team leads make in the US?

How much does a Team Lead make? In the Quality Assurance Testing field, the salary for a Team Lead ranges from a minimum of $102,120 to a maximum of $126,880, with a mid-salary of $114,870. These figures reflect the competitive compensation for this role in the US market.

4. What is the average salary for a QA team leader?

The average salary for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead is approximately $114,870 per year. Salaries typically range from a minimum of $102,120 to a maximum of $126,880, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the role.

5. How much does a QA automation lead make in the US?

A Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead in the US typically earns between $102,120 and $126,880 annually, with a median salary of $114,870. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the role, providing a competitive compensation package for skilled professionals in the field.

6. How much do test leads make in the US?

Test Leads in the US typically earn between $102,120 and $126,880 annually. The average salary for a Test Lead is approximately $114,870 per year, reflecting the range of experience and expertise in the field.

7. What is the salary of test team lead?

The salary for a Quality Assurance Testing Model Team Lead ranges from $102,120 to $126,880, with a median salary of $114,870. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, ensuring that experienced professionals are rewarded for their expertise and leadership in quality assurance testing.

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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