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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software QA Engineer II in Maryland is $96,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Software QA Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software QA Engineer II Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $104,700 | $8,725 | $2,013 | $50 |
| Average | $96,900 | $8,075 | $1,863 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,200 | $7,350 | $1,696 | $42 |
ClearEdge - Annapolis Junction, MD
Platform Aerospace - Hollywood, MD
Wabtec - Germantown, MD
Intezra, Inc. - Columbia, MD
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, 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 | $75,441 |
| Software QA Engineer II | 2-4 years | $96,815 |
| Software QA Engineer III | 4-7 years | $117,372 |
| Software QA Engineer IV | 7+ years | $135,546 |
| Software QA Engineer V | 7-10 years | $158,548 |
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:
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 Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $108,474. While startup companies pay approximate $91,766.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $91,766 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $97,054 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $104,751 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $108,474 |
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 | $125,970 | $61.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $121,125 | $58.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $116,280 | $56.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $111,435 | $54.0 | 15% |
| MFG Nondurable | $108,528 | $52.0 | 12% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $104,700 | $8,725 | $2,013 | $50 |
| Average | $96,900 | $8,075 | $1,863 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,200 | $7,350 | $1,696 | $42 |
For 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 $117,400 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software QA Engineer II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
1 CLICK LOGISTICS
Hagerstown, MD
1 CLICK LOGISTICS | Hagerstown, MD
Job Description. Job Description. About Company. 1 Click Logistics, founded in 2018, is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider committed to delivering exce... more
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Global Connections to Employment
Hanover, MD
Global Connections to Employment | Hanover, MD
Job DescriptionWe have a Remote Work Program where team members have the opportunity work from home the balance of the work week.More details will be provi... more
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Shadow Strategies, LLC
Columbia, MD
Shadow Strategies, LLC | Columbia, MD
Software Engineer II - UI Development Location:Columbia, MD (Hybrid - up to 2 days telework per week) Salary Range:$175,000-$225,000 (commensurate with exp... more
8 Days Ago
Augustine Consulting Inc.
Aberdeen, MD
Augustine Consulting Inc. | Aberdeen, MD
Job Description. Job Description. Description. ACI is a Woman-Owned Small Business professional services provider of engineering and technical services to ... more
7 Days Ago
ManTech International
FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MD
ManTech International | FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MD
ManTech International seeks a Software Engineer to design, build, and secure mission-critical applications for U.S. defense, intelligence, and federal agen... more
7 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
LA PLATA, MD
SimVentions, Inc | LA PLATA, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, is seeking a Software Engineer. In this role, ... more
10 Days Ago
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