What are the main factors that influence a Software QA Engineer I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Software QA Engineer 's salary?

A Software QA Engineer 's salary grows with experience: a Software QA Engineer I (0-2 years)earns $74,079, a Software QA Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $95,083, a Software QA Engineer III (4-7 years)earns $115,281, a Software QA Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $133,119, a Software QA Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $155,627,

What are the highest paying states for a Software QA Engineer I?

Software QA Engineer I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software QA Engineer I roles are District of Columbia $81,000, California $80,700, Massachusetts $79,700. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software QA Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Software QA Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Software QA Engineer VI: $176,600; Software QA Engineer V: $153,700; Network Software QA Engineer: $151,152; Software QA Engineer IV: $131,500; Software QA Engineer III: $113,900.

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Software QA Engineer I Salary in Delaware

How much does a Software QA Engineer I make in Delaware?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software QA Engineer I in Delaware is $74,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Software QA Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,225
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,800 to $79,400
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,975

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Software QA Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$79,400	$6,617	$1,527	$38
Average	$74,100	$6,175	$1,425	$36
25th Percentile	$68,800	$5,733	$1,323	$33

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Check out Software QA Engineer I Job Openings in Delaware

Senior QA Engineer

ManpowerGroup Global, Inc. - Newark, DE

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Integrated Resources Inc. - Newark, DE

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Ecclesiastes Inc - Newark, DE

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Cayuse Holdings - Dover, DE

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Key Factors That Influence Software QA Engineer I Salaries

A Software QA Engineer I'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.

How Experience Level Affects Software QA Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software QA Engineer I'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:

Software QA Engineer I (0-2 years): $74,079
Software QA Engineer II (2-4 years): $95,083
Software QA Engineer III (4-7 years): $115,281
Software QA Engineer IV (7+ years): $133,119
Software QA Engineer V (7-10 years): $155,627

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Software QA Engineer I	0-2 years	$74,079
Software QA Engineer II	2-4 years	$95,083
Software QA Engineer III	4-7 years	$115,281
Software QA Engineer IV	7+ years	$133,119
Software QA Engineer V	7-10 years	$155,627

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software QA Engineer I 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 Software QA Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $81,000.
California: $80,700.
Massachusetts: $79,700.

District of Columbia $81,000 California $80,700 Massachusetts $79,700 Washington $79,400 New Jersey $79,300 Alaska $79,200 Connecticut $78,200 New York $77,800

Hawaii $76,500 Rhode Island $75,900 Maryland $75,500 Minnesota $74,900 Colorado $74,700 Illinois $74,600 Oregon $74,300 Delaware $74,100

New Hampshire $74,000 Virginia $73,700 Pennsylvania $72,900 Nevada $72,400 North Dakota $72,300 Michigan $72,100 Wisconsin $72,000 Vermont $71,800

Maine $71,400 Texas $71,400 Arizona $71,300 Ohio $71,300 Georgia $70,600 Indiana $70,300 Wyoming $70,200 Utah $70,100

Iowa $70,100 Kansas $69,700 Louisiana $69,600 North Carolina $69,600 Missouri $69,500 Florida $69,300 Montana $69,100 Nebraska $69,000

Kentucky $68,900 South Carolina $68,600 Tennessee $68,400 Idaho $68,300 New Mexico $67,800 Oklahoma $67,700 Alabama $67,300 South Dakota $66,500

Arkansas $66,100 West Virginia $65,900 Mississippi $65,300

Top Paying Cities for Software QA Engineer Is

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:

Lincoln: $76,700
Little Creek: $76,000
Magnolia: $76,300

Lincoln, DE $76,700 Little Creek, DE $76,000 Magnolia, DE $76,300 Milford, DE $76,700 Marydel, DE $75,700 Millsboro, DE $76,700 Millville, DE $77,200 Milton, DE $76,700

Nassau, DE $76,700 Ocean View, DE $77,200 Rehoboth Beach, DE $77,200 Seaford, DE $75,900 Selbyville, DE $77,200 Smyrna, DE $75,600 Viola, DE $76,300 Woodside, DE $76,100

Bear, DE $75,100 Newark, DE $75,100 Claymont, DE $75,200 Delaware City, DE $75,100 Hockessin, DE $75,200 Kirkwood, DE $75,100 Middletown, DE $75,500 Montchanin, DE $75,200

New Castle, DE $75,200 Odessa, DE $75,600 Port Penn, DE $74,900 Rockland, DE $75,200 Saint Georges, DE $75,100 Townsend, DE $75,500 Winterthur, DE $75,200 Lewes, DE $76,700

Wilmington, DE $75,200 Dover, DE $76,000 Dover Afb, DE $76,100 Bethany Beach, DE $77,200 Bethel, DE $75,900 Bridgeville, DE $76,700 Camden Wyoming, DE $76,100 Cheswold, DE $75,800

Clayton, DE $75,600 Dagsboro, DE $77,200 Delmar, DE $75,900 Ellendale, DE $76,700 Felton, DE $76,700 Fenwick Island, DE $77,200 Frankford, DE $77,200 Frederica, DE $76,700

Georgetown, DE $76,700 Greenwood, DE $76,700 Harbeson, DE $76,700 Harrington, DE $76,700 Hartly, DE $75,600 Houston, DE $76,700 Kenton, DE $75,600 Laurel, DE $75,900

Yorklyn, DE $75,200

Software QA Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software QA Engineer I'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, 2026

$68,800

Average $74,100/year

$79,400

$5,733

Average $6,175/month

$6,617

$1,323

Average $1,425/week

$1,527

$33

Average $36/hour

$38

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$79,400	$6,617	$1,527	$38
Average	$74,100	$6,175	$1,425	$36
25th Percentile	$68,800	$5,733	$1,323	$33

Software QA Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Software QA Engineer I

Software QA Engineer II

Software QA Director

For a Software QA Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software QA Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $95,100 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software QA Engineer I

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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