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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software QA Engineer III in California is $125,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, a Software QA Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software QA Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $132,300 | $11,025 | $2,544 | $64 |
| Average | $125,600 | $10,467 | $2,415 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,300 | $9,692 | $2,237 | $56 |
Fieldmaterials - San Francisco, CA
Simbe Robotics Inc - San Francisco, CA
Hyundai Autoever America - Costa Mesa, CA
Innoflight LLC - San Diego, CA
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, 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 | $80,702 |
| Software QA Engineer II | 2-4 years | $103,566 |
| Software QA Engineer III | 4-7 years | $125,557 |
| Software QA Engineer IV | 7+ years | $144,998 |
| Software QA Engineer V | 7-10 years | $169,604 |
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:
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 III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,602. While startup companies pay approximate $118,946.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $118,946 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $125,799 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $135,776 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $140,602 |
For Software QA Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Software QA Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software QA Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $138,160 | $66.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $138,160 | $66.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $138,160 | $66.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $138,160 | $66.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $138,160 | $66.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $132,300 | $11,025 | $2,544 | $64 |
| Average | $125,600 | $10,467 | $2,415 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,300 | $9,692 | $2,237 | $56 |
For 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 $145,000 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.
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.
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