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Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV in the United States is $125,343 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,175
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $115,593 to $132,583
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,716
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 IV Salaries

A Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV'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 IV'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:

  • Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer (2-4 years): $89,079
  • QA/Validation Engineer III (4-7 years): $100,754
  • Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,321
  • Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $150,354
  • QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $112,622
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer2-4 years$89,079
QA/Validation Engineer III4-7 years$100,754
Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV7+ years$125,321
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,354
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor10+ years$112,622
View as Graph

How Do Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $138,773.
  • California: $138,243.
  • Massachusetts: $136,403.

Top Paying Cities for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IVs

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: $158,083
  • San Francisco: $156,353
  • Oakland: $153,063

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.72% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.77% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
  • Virtualization (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): In computing, virtualization refers to the act of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including virtual computer hardware platforms, storage devices, and computer network resources. Virtualization began in the 1960s, as a method of logically dividing the system resources provided by mainframe computers between different applications. Since then, the meaning of the term has broadened.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.72%
Scrum 2.77%
Virtualization 2.13%
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 IV's salary.

  • Authenticity: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • iOS: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Authenticity $146,651
17%
iOS $134,117
7%
Consulting $132,864
6%
Get Latest Data

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

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,076. While startup companies pay approximate $118,490.

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $118,490
Growth Stage 51~500 $125,315
Established 501~5000 $135,261
Enterprise 5000+ $140,076

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

For Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Quality Testing and Methods Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

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

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$175,480$84.040%
Aerospace & Defense$162,946$78.030%
Pharmaceuticals$162,946$78.030%
Financial Services$150,412$72.020%
Software & Networking$150,412$72.020%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IVs 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 IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $122,596 and $128,683).

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.3%
High School 3.3%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 40.1%
Doctorate 1.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV'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
$115,593
Average $125,343/year
$132,583
$9,633
Average $10,445/month
$11,049
$2,223
Average $2,410/week
$2,550
$56
Average $60/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,583 $11,049 $2,550 $64
Average $125,343 $10,445 $2,410 $60
25th Percentile $115,593 $9,633 $2,223 $56

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV

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Advancement

For a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $150,400 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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

How much do QA testers make? The average salary for Quality Testing and Methods Engineers in the US ranges from $117,483 to $139,733, with a mid-salary of $128,673. This reflects a more specialized role compared to general QA testers, indicating higher compensation for expertise in quality assurance methodologies.

3. How much does a 4th engineer make in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer in the United States ranges from $117,483 to $139,733 annually, with a mid-salary of $128,673. This translates to approximately $56.43 to $67.05 per hour, or $2,245 to $2,740 per week, and $9,733 to $11,883 per month.

4. What is the highest salary in QA?

The highest salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer is $139,733 per year. The lowest salary for this position is $117,483 per year, with a mid-range salary of $128,673.

5. How much does a QA test engineer earn in USA?

How Much Does a QA Test Engineer Earn in the USA? The salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer ranges from a minimum of $117,483 to a maximum of $139,733, with a mid-salary of $128,673. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of expertise in quality assurance.

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

As of January 28, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer in the United States is approximately $61.00, based on an annual salary range of $117,483 to $139,733. The majority of salaries typically fall between $56.00 and $67.00 per hour, reflecting the varying levels of experience and expertise in the field.

7. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineers in the USA typically include those in specialized fields. For instance, a Quality Testing and Methods Engineer has a salary range from $117,483 to $139,733, with a mid-salary of $128,673. This positions them competitively among other engineering disciplines, reflecting the demand for quality assurance in various industries.

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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