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Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III in the United States is $100,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $117,411
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,190 to $109,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,271
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 III Salaries

A Quality Testing and Methods 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.

How Experience Level Affects Quality Testing and Methods Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Testing and Methods 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:

  • Entry Quality Assurance Engineer (0-2 years): $75,684
  • Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer (2-4 years): $89,079
  • Quality Testing and Methods 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
Entry Quality Assurance Engineer0-2 years$75,684
Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer2-4 years$89,079
Quality Testing and Methods 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 III 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $111,590.
  • California: $111,190.
  • Massachusetts: $109,690.

Top Paying Cities for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IIIs

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: $127,090
  • San Francisco: $125,690
  • Oakland: $123,090

What Skills Can Increase a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Team Development (Mentioned in 3.93% Job Postings): Building and developing effective teams to achieve a common goal or to complete a task in the most effective and efficient way.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 2.98% 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.
  • JavaScript (Mentioned in 1.84% Job Postings): Using JavaScript in the development and maintenance of Web-based application systems.
Skills Demand Percentage
Team Development 3.93%
Software Development 2.98%
JavaScript 1.84%
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 III's salary.

  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Android: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Linux: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Python $106,837
6%
Android $105,830
5%
Linux $105,830
5%
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Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $112,637. While startup companies pay approximate $95,279.

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $95,279
Growth Stage 51~500 $100,768
Established 501~5000 $108,765
Enterprise 5000+ $112,637

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

For Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Quality Testing and Methods Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$151,185$73.050%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Testing and Methods 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 Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $101,686 and $106,318).

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III
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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Quality Testing and Methods 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 September 01, 2026
$93,190
Average $100,790/year
$109,490
$7,766
Average $8,399/month
$9,124
$1,792
Average $1,938/week
$2,106
$45
Average $48/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $109,490 $9,124 $2,106 $53
Average $100,790 $8,399 $1,938 $48
25th Percentile $93,190 $7,766 $1,792 $45

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

For a Quality Testing and Methods 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 $125,400 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. What is the next level of QA engineer?

One of the highest positions on the QA engineer path is a quality assurance manager, who typically oversees a large QA team or department. They handle higher-level tasks such as process development, risk management, and employee management, including hiring and performance assessment. Salaries for this role range from $97,990 to $115,390, with a midpoint of $106,390.

3. How much do QA engineers make in the USA?

The salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer in the USA ranges from $97,990 to $115,390, with a mid-salary of $106,390. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, considering both base salary and potential additional cash compensation.

4. What is the highest salary in QA?

The highest salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer is $115,390 per year, while the lowest salary is $97,990 per year. The mid-range salary for this position is $106,390 per year, reflecting the competitive nature of the field.

5. How much do L3 engineers make in the US?

As of January 23, 2025, the salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer in the United States ranges from $97,990 to $115,390 annually, with a mid-salary of $106,390. This translates to approximately $47.05 to $55.46 per hour, or $1,884 to $2,203 per week, and $8,499 to $9,533 per month.

6. What is the expected salary for QA?

The expected salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer ranges from $97,990 to $115,390 annually, with a midpoint of $106,390. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field, highlighting the value of expertise in quality assurance and testing methodologies.

7. What is a QA engineer III?

A QA Engineer III is responsible for leading medium to large projects, managing test plans, facilitating user acceptance testing, and reporting on testing activities. They identify and report defects, collaborate on quality assurance best practices, and mentor junior engineers. The salary for this role ranges from $97,990 to $115,390, with a midpoint of $106,390.

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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