As of April 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:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI-Powered HR
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 | $73,150 |
| Software QA Engineer II | 2-4 years | $93,891 |
| Software QA Engineer III | 4-7 years | $113,835 |
| Software QA Engineer IV | 7+ years | $131,450 |
| Software QA Engineer V | 7-10 years | $153,675 |
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%
|
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 April 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
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Software QA Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software QA Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
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.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
