Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I in the United States is $75,703 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,325
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,153 to $81,263
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,190
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salaries

A Quality Testing and Methods 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 Testing and Methods Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Testing and Methods 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 Testing and Methods Engineer I (0-2 years): $75,684
  • Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer (2-4 years): $89,079
  • QA/Validation Engineer III (4-7 years): $100,754
  • QA/Validation Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,321
  • Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $150,354
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I0-2 years$75,684
Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer2-4 years$89,079
QA/Validation Engineer III4-7 years$100,754
QA/Validation Engineer IV7+ years$125,321
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,354
View as Graph

How Do Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Quality Testing and Methods Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $83,813.
  • California: $83,493.
  • Massachusetts: $82,383.

Top Paying Cities for Quality Testing and Methods 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: $95,483
  • San Francisco: $94,433
  • Oakland: $92,443

What Skills Can Increase a Quality Testing and Methods 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.09%
Software Development 2.91%
Scrum 2.02%
See More Skills

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 Testing and Methods 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 $99,171
31%
Software Testing $92,358
22%
Jenkins $89,330
18%
Get Latest Data

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $84,601. While startup companies pay approximate $71,564.

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $71,564
Growth Stage 51~500 $75,686
Established 501~5000 $81,693
Enterprise 5000+ $84,601

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Quality Testing and Methods 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 Testing and Methods Engineer positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$90,844$44.020%
Pharmaceuticals$90,844$44.020%
Biotechnology$87,058$42.015%
Energy & Utilities$83,273$40.010%
Aerospace & Defense$79,488$38.05%

How Education impacts a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Testing and Methods 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 Testing and Methods Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $71,146 and $75,347).

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Quality Testing and Methods 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%
View as Graph

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Quality Testing and Methods 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 September 01, 2026
$69,153
Average $75,703/year
$81,263
$5,763
Average $6,309/month
$6,772
$1,330
Average $1,456/week
$1,563
$33
Average $36/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,263 $6,772 $1,563 $39
Average $75,703 $6,309 $1,456 $36
25th Percentile $69,153 $5,763 $1,330 $33

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Quality Testing and Methods 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.

Most common benefits for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Do QA engineers get paid well?

QA engineers can earn competitive salaries. Based on recent data, the salary range for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer is between $67,623 and $82,063, with a mid-salary of $75,623. This indicates that while some may earn less, many QA engineers are compensated well within this range.

3. What is the highest salary for automation tester in the US?

The highest salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer in the US is approximately $82,063 per year. The average salary for this role is around $75,623, while the minimum salary starts at $67,623.

4. How much do QA testers make in the US?

QA testers in the US typically earn between $67,623 and $82,063, with a mid-salary of $75,623. This range reflects base salaries, while additional compensation such as bonuses or profit sharing may further enhance earnings. Overall, QA testers can expect competitive salaries in the industry.

5. What is the highest salary of testing engineer?

The highest salary that a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer can earn is $82,063 per year.

6. How much does a QA test engineer earn in us?

The salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer in the US ranges from $67,623 to $82,063, with a mid-salary of $75,623. This data reflects the base salary without additional compensation, which may vary based on experience and location.

7. What is the salary of test and quality engineer?

The salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer ranges from a minimum of $67,623 to a maximum of $82,063, with a mid-salary of $75,623. This reflects a competitive compensation structure in the industry, aligning with market trends for similar roles.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst