As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software QA Engineer III in the United States is $113,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, a Software QA Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Software QA 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Software QA 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software QA Engineer I | 0-2 years | $73,162 |
| Software QA Engineer II | 2-4 years | $93,894 |
| Software QA Engineer III | 4-7 years | $113,833 |
| Software QA Engineer IV | 7+ years | $131,456 |
| Software QA Engineer V | 7-10 years | $153,744 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Software QA Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 2.96% |
| Test Scripts | 3.27% |
| Manual Testing | 2.25% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Products and Services
|
$118,456 |
4%
|
|
Innovation
|
$117,317 |
3%
|
|
Prioritization
|
$117,317 |
3%
|
|
Teamwork
|
$116,178 |
2%
|
|
Leadership
|
$116,178 |
2%
|
|
Integrity
|
$115,039 |
1%
|
Software QA Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,396. While startup companies pay approximate $107,739.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $107,739 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $113,951 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $123,025 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $127,396 |
For Software QA Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Software QA Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software QA Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $125,290 | $60.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $125,290 | $60.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $125,290 | $60.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $125,290 | $60.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $125,290 | $60.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software QA 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 Software QA Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,173 and $111,278).
Software QA Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.1% |
| High School | 7.7% |
| Associates | 4.8% |
| Bachelors | 55.8% |
| Masters | 30.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.6% |
Understanding how a Software QA 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 July 01, 2026For a Software QA Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software QA Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,500 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.
Salaries for a Software QA Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $108,219 in 2023 to around $107,834 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software QA Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $108,219 |
| 2024 | $108,525 |
| 2025 | $107,834 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Software QA Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
The highest salary for a Software QA Analyst is $120,700 per year, while the lowest salary is $102,200 per year. The mid-range salary for this position is $111,100 annually.
With 3 years of experience in automation testing, you can expect a salary in the range of $102,200 to $120,700 annually. This reflects the growing expertise and ability to manage test automation projects independently, positioning you well within the industry standards for Software QA Analysts.
Yes, QA is in high demand in the USA, with a projected growth of 25% for quality control and testing specialists by 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries for Software QA Analysts range from $102,200 to $120,700, with a median of $111,100, reflecting the strong need for skilled professionals in this field.
Titles such as 'QA Manager', 'Director of Quality Assurance', or 'VP of Quality' typically offer the highest salaries, ranging from a minimum of $102,200 to a maximum of $120,700. These positions involve comprehensive oversight of QA processes, strategy implementation, and team management, with a mid-salary around $111,100 reflecting their significant responsibilities.
Yes, Quality Assurance is considered a well-paying field. The salary data for Software QA Analysts shows a minimum salary of $102,200, a mid-range salary of $111,100, and a maximum salary of $120,700. Many QA professionals start with basic testing principles and can advance to more technical roles, leading to competitive compensation.
Software testers can earn competitive salaries, with a range from $102,200 to $120,700 annually. Entry-level positions typically start around the minimum salary, while experienced professionals can reach the mid to maximum salary levels. Factors such as experience, skills, and location significantly influence these earnings.
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