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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software QA Director in California is $210,910 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $101.
However, a Software QA Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software QA Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $225,270 | $18,773 | $4,332 | $108 |
| Average | $210,910 | $17,576 | $4,056 | $101 |
| 25th Percentile | $194,080 | $16,173 | $3,732 | $93 |
Fieldmaterials - San Francisco, CA
ProcessHQ, Inc. - Glendale, CA
Exelixis - Alameda, CA
LOVEFOODIES INC - Mountain View, CA
A Software QA Director'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Software QA Director'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 VI | 10-12 years | $194,844 |
| Software Testing and Quality Supervisor | 12+ years | $133,022 |
| Software QA Manager | 12+ years | $151,816 |
| Software Testing and Quality Senior Manager | 12+ years | $183,469 |
| Software QA Director | 12+ years | $210,909 |
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 Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Software QA Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $236,102. While startup companies pay approximate $199,736.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $199,736 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $211,245 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $227,998 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $236,102 |
For Software QA Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software QA Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software QA Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $253,092 | $122.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $242,546 | $117.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $242,546 | $117.0 | 15% |
| Financial Services | $232,001 | $112.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $232,001 | $112.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Software QA Director'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $225,270 | $18,773 | $4,332 | $108 |
| Average | $210,910 | $17,576 | $4,056 | $101 |
| 25th Percentile | $194,080 | $16,173 | $3,732 | $93 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software QA Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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