As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software QA Engineer II in the United States is $93,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, a Software QA Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Software QA Engineer II'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 II'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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.58% |
| Test Scripts | 2.95% |
| Automated Testing | 1.83% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Innovation
|
$96,717 |
3%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$95,778 |
2%
|
|
Debugging
|
$95,778 |
2%
|
|
Programming
|
$95,778 |
2%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$95,778 |
2%
|
|
Quality Management
|
$95,778 |
2%
|
Software QA Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $105,026. While startup companies pay approximate $88,821.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $88,821 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $93,942 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $101,423 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $105,026 |
For Software QA Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Software QA Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software QA Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $122,070 | $59.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $117,375 | $56.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $112,680 | $54.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $107,985 | $52.0 | 15% |
| MFG Nondurable | $105,168 | $51.0 | 12% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software QA Engineer IIs 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $85,034 and $89,903).
Software QA Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 10.1% |
| Associates | 8.3% |
| Bachelors | 58.0% |
| Masters | 22.4% |
| Doctorate | 0.8% |
Understanding how a Software QA Engineer II'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 II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software QA Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $113,900 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Salaries for a Software QA Engineer II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $93,860 in 2023 to around $92,989 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software QA Engineer II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $93,860 |
| 2024 | $94,080 |
| 2025 | $92,989 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Software QA Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
The estimated total pay for a Software QA Analyst in the USA ranges from $81,100 to $98,700 per year, with a median salary of approximately $89,600. This reflects the competitive nature of the field and the demand for skilled professionals in quality assurance.
The salary data for a Software QA Analyst indicates a minimum salary of $81,100, a mid-range salary of $89,600, and a maximum salary of $98,700. Compared to other countries, the USA offers competitive salaries, with averages ranging from $9,000 to $13,750 per month, making it one of the highest-paying countries for QA professionals.
The expected salary for a Software QA Analyst ranges from $81,100 to $98,700 annually, with a mid-point salary of $89,600. This reflects the competitive compensation for QA professionals in the industry.
The salary for a Software QA Analyst in the USA ranges from $81,100 to $98,700, with a mid-point salary of $89,600. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, with total compensation potentially exceeding these figures when considering additional cash benefits.
Many QA professionals begin by mastering basic testing principles and advance to more technical roles, such as automation testing. Is Quality Assurance a high-paying job? Yes, it is. The salary range for Software QA Analysts typically falls between $81,100 and $98,700, with a mid-salary of $89,600, making it a lucrative field.
In the USA, a Software QA Analyst typically earns between $81,100 and $98,700 annually, with a median salary of around $89,600. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data, providing a clearer picture of compensation for this role.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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